IWC Reimagines its Iconic Ingenieur Watch in Solid Gold
From scientific tool to luminous luxury item, IWC’s latest timepiece has been on quite a journey.
The watch
IWC has a well-earned reputation for making robust, no-nonsense watches with function front and centre. The Ingenieur is no exception. Originally conceived as an anti-magnetic scientific instrument, the model underwent a major upgrade in 1976 when Gérald Genta – essentially the Dieter Rams of watch design – transformed the Ingenieur into a sleek, integrated bracelet watch with exposed bezel screws. In 2023, in an example of perfectly timed historical revisionism, IWC introduced a fresh take on the design, one that critics lauded for its fidelity to the original. This year, the model was updated again, introducing a solid-gold version.
The details
At 40 millimetres across, this Ingenieur is already a substantial presence on the wrist but the gold steals the show. The alloy IWC has used is 18-carat 5N gold, the brand’s preferred formula for red-gold, which gives the metal a warm, lustrous hue that feels contemporary. But what really sets this gold watch apart is the treatment. It’s been finished in exactly the same manner as the steel versions of the piece, with a subtle satin-brush finish – uniform from the bracelet to the bezel – and fine lines of high polish on the edges to create visual contrast. The dial, with its tessellated pattern, is inky black with gold hardware and behind the scenes is the maker’s own 32111 calibre, an efficient automatic with 120 hours of power reserve.
The takeaway
There’s something pleasantly incongruous about taking a watch that was made initially for scientific endeavours and giving it a full gold makeover – the form is no longer integrally linked to the function. It’s undeniable however that this Ingenieur offers maximum impact.
