In production since 1954, the IWC Ingenieur was an antimagnetic watch with understated lines, designed for scientists, engineers or doctors. In the 1970s, IWC decided to rejuvenate its lines by entrusting the job to Gérald Genta, the same creator of Audemars Piguet's Royal Oak and Patek Philippe's Nautilus, among others. The design of the new Ingenieur SL (SL stood for steel luxury), presented in 1976, had little in common with the original. The case designed by Genta was tonneau and had a round bezel with visible screws, the bracelet was integrated. The diameter was 40 mm, which is why the reference was called Jumbo. The soft-iron inner case shielded the movement from magnetic fields.
And it is precisely that model that IWC is reissuing with a version that, while very faithful to Genta's design, is updated with new technical and aesthetic solutions that bring it directly into the 21st century and improve its ergonomics and proportions.
Whereas the Ingenieur SL of '76 had a rather large bracelet and prominent lugs that increased the length of the case, the new model features a newly designed central link attachment, aesthetically similar to that of the original but providing better ergonomics on the wrist.
The slight convexity of the recessed ring also further enhances wearability. The crown is now protected by side straps for a sportier look. The 5 recesses in the bezel of the first Ingenieur SL (simply screwed onto the recessed ring), which had a completely random position and were never in the same place, are now replaced with polygonal screws that always have the same precise position.
Picking up on the embossed square pattern of its predecessor's dial, the Ingenieur Automatic 40 features a grid pattern, with lines offset by 90 degrees from each other, stamped on the soft iron blank before being galvanised. The position of the logo, rebalanced in its proportions, has been carefully aligned with the grid line design.
It is water-resistant to 100 metres and, naturally, retains the soft-iron inner cage that protects the movement from magnetic fields: the automatic calibre 32111 with a 120-hour power reserve. It is available in three versions in steel with a black, silvered or Aqua dial, the latter a shade between green and blue (€13,000). The company also offers a titanium variant with a grey dial (€16,200).
