At Watches & Wonders 2023 in Geneva, Switzerland, IWC Schaffhausen presented the ” Ingenieur Automatic 40 “, the newest version of the brand’s iconic Ingenieur, which was redesigned by master watch designer Gerald Genta in the 1970s. The Ingenieur Automatic 40 is the latest addition to the brand’s iconic Ingenieur line.
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Ingenieur Automatic 40″ redesigned by Gerald Genta
The Ingenieur Automatic 40 is the latest addition to IWC’s iconic Ingenieur family. The Ingenieur is a historic icon, first launched in 1955, and is best known for the fact that IWC commissioned Gérald Genta to redesign it in the 1970s. With his distinctive artistic style, Genta gave the Ingenieur a new visual identity, and the Ingenieur SL was launched in 1976 as a representative model of IWC’s SL collection of luxury watches in steel. The Ingenieur Automatic 40 is IWC’s modern upgrade of Genta’s Ingenieur with further revisions.
Genta’s work on the Ingenieur Automatic 40 has been reinterpreted and modernized, with a five-dent screw-in bezel, a dial with a distinctive pattern, and a one-piece bracelet with H-shaped links. His models of the period are now highly prized by collectors and are considered some of the greatest masterpieces in the entire history of IWC.
Fine-tuning of details based on modern ergonomics for improved wearability
The dimensions of the Ingenieur Automatic 40 have been carefully rethought and improved down to the smallest detail. The Ingenieur SL of the 1970s had nosed lugs, but the new Ingenieur Automatic 40 is equipped with a newly developed “middle link attachment. The new Ingenieur SL is equipped with a newly developed “middle link attachment. While the Ingenieur SL looks similar to the Ingenieur SL, the new Ingenieur SL features a newly developed “mid-link attachment” that allows for a better fit to the human arm.
The grid dial balances the functional screws with a distinctive design that improves on the shortcomings of previous models.
In terms of design, a striking difference from the previous model is the use of functional polygonal screws on the bezel. In the case of the Ingenieur SL, a bezel with five indentations was screwed into the case ring, but this resulted in individual differences in the positions of the indentations, which was considered a drawback. The Ingenieur Automatic 40 uses five screws to secure the bezel to the case. This improved the problem of individual differences. To balance the highly figurative and technical case design, the dial is designed with a unique ” grid ” structure. It consists of thin lines running vertically and horizontally, stamped on a soft-iron blank, and electroplated. The indexes are coated with luminescent paint for added depth and excellent nighttime legibility.
Beautiful details and high-quality surface finishes realized by IWC’s advanced technology
The surfaces of the case, bezel, and bracelet are first-class, using a combination of polished and satin-finished surfaces. The upper part of the bracelet incorporates closed links without pins, demonstrating excellent craftsmanship. The bracelet is buckled with a carefully finished butterfly folding buckle, which further accentuates the beauty and thinness of the H-link bracelet. The sporty impression is further enhanced by a newly designed crown protection component.
In keeping with Gerald Genta’s design, the mechanism inside features state-of-the-art technology.
The Ingenieur Automatic 40 is powered by the IWC-manufactured 32111-caliber movement with ratchet self-winding mechanism and a power reserve of 120 hours. In the tradition of the Ingenieur family, the watch incorporates a soft-iron inner case that effectively protects the movement by eliminating the effects of magnetic fields on the watch’s accuracy. The case is also water resistant to 10 bar, making it an extremely versatile modern sports watch.
The Ingenieur Automatic 40 is available in four models: three in stainless steel and one in titanium.
The main stainless steel model will be available in black, white, and green.
Titanium models are about 1/3 the weight of stainless steel
The titanium model weighs about one-third as much as stainless steel, and titanium is also gentler on the skin and less likely to cause metal allergies. The gray dial, black hands, and applied indexes give the watch a matte gray appearance that is unique to titanium.
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