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Watches and Wonders 2025: At IWC Schaffhausen, the Ingenieur becomes more compact

IWC makes a bold statement at Watches and Wonders Geneva in 2025, with new additions to their iconic Ingenieur collection as well as two cutting-edge Pilot's Watches that push the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking.
IWC has expanded its Ingenieur collection with five remarkable new timepieces that pay homage to the legendary Gérald Genta-designed Ingenieur SL from the 1970s. Additionally, the brand also revealed two Pilot's Watches that demonstrate the brand's engineering capabilities and innovative approach to complicated watchmaking.

Ingenieur Automatic 35: A Compact Masterpiece
The Ingenieur Automatic 35 represents a more compact interpretation of the modern Ingenieur design, which was unveiled in 2023 in a case size of 40mm. Available in three distinct variations, this model offers something for every collector. An 18k 5N gold version features a gold-coloured dial, while two stainless steel models come with either a black or silver-plated dial. Despite its smaller 35mm case diameter and slim 9.44mm height, the watch retains all the characteristic design elements of its larger counterpart.
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 (gold) - IW324903

The iconic five-screw bezel remains a focal point, secured to the case ring with precision-engineered functional screws. The integrated bracelets, matching their respective cases, attach via middle links, ensuring a seamless and ergonomic fit with a butterfly folding clasp. Each model features an elaborately crafted dial with the signature "Grid" pattern - a complex arrangement of small lines and squares that adds depth and visual intrigue.
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 stainless steel with black dial - IW324906

The attention to detail  include appliques that are individually mounted by hand and filled with Super-LumiNova, guaranteeing exceptional legibility in all lighting conditions. The gold version boasts solid gold appliques and gold-plated hands, while the stainless steel models feature steel appliques with rhodium-plated hands. Powering the watch is the Calibre 47110, an automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve, visible through a see-through sapphire glass back that reveals the intricate mechanical workings.
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 (stainless steel) - IW324901

Ingenieur Automatic 40 in 18-Carat Gold: Luxurious Elegance
Also introduced is an Ingenieur Automatic 40 in 18k 5N gold. The watch reflects the iconic aesthetic of the Ingenieur SL, originally designed by Gérald Genta. Every element – from the case and bracelet to the crown and bezel – is meticulously crafted from 18k 5N gold, creating an opulent statement.

The watch's finishing features an interplay of satin-finished and polished surfaces—the bezel is satin-finished with polished outer edges, while bracelet links alternate between satin and polished treatments. Also featuring a distinctive black "Grid" dial, the new Ingenieur Automatic 40 is composed of intricate small lines and squares that add texture and depth. Solid 5N gold appliques, individually set by hand, complement gold-plated hands filled with Super-LumiNova®.
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 (Gold with black dial) - IW328702

At the heart of this timepiece lies the IWC-manufactured 32111 calibre, boasting an impressive 120-hour power reserve. The movement is a work of art in itself, featuring circular Geneva stripes, blued screws, and a gold-plated oscillating weight. These details are beautifully showcased through the sapphire glass case back, inviting close examination of the mechanical complexity.


Ingenieur Automatic 40 Green Dial: A Cinematic Connection
Born from a unique collaboration with the upcoming Apple Original Film "F1® THE MOVIE", this special edition Ingenieur Automatic 40 is a true conversation piece. Limited to just 1000 pieces, the watch captures the essence of Sonny Hayes, the protagonist played by Brad Pitt, through its distinctive green dial.

The stainless steel case provides a robust backdrop for the vibrant green dial, which features gold-plated appliques and hands filled with Super-LumiNova® for perfect legibility. This colour scheme directly references the customized Ingenieur SL prop watch created in collaboration with IWC, Brad Pitt, and Cloister Watch Company, a design studio specializing in creating bespoke timepieces from vintage watches. The "Grid" dial structure adds depth and texture, transforming the watch from a mere timekeeping instrument to a storytelling device. Its characteristic bezel, secured by five functional screws, remains true to the Ingenieur's iconic design language. The integrated bracelet, complete with a butterfly folding clasp, ensures exceptional wearing comfort.
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 (Green dial) - IW328908

Technically identical to its gold counterpart, the watch is powered by the 32111 calibre. This sophisticated movement offers an impressive 120-hour power reserve and maintains the Ingenieur's legacy of technical innovation with its soft-iron inner case, effectively shielding the mechanism from magnetic interference. 

Ingenieur Automatic 42 in Black Ceramic: Technical Innovation
IWC pushes the boundaries of material engineering with the Ingenieur Automatic 42 in black ceramic. This watch marks a significant milestone, representing the first full ceramic execution of the iconic Gérald Genta-derived integrated bracelet design.
Crafted from black zirconium oxide ceramic, the watch embodies IWC's nearly four-decade-long expertise in advanced materials. With a remarkable hardness of about 1300 Vickers, the ceramic components can only be processed using diamond-tipped tools. The innovative multi-part case construction features a titanium inner ring that accommodates screws, holds the movement, and ensures water resistance up to 10 bar.

The surface finishing is a testament to IWC's engineering prowess. Case components and bracelet links undergo a sophisticated multi-stage process combining satin-finishing, smooth sand-blasting, and delicate edge polishing. This intricate treatment creates a refined aesthetic with nuanced light reflection, showcasing the material's unique properties.
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 42 - IW338903

At the heart of the watch lies the IWC-manufactured 82110 calibre, featuring an innovative Pellaton winding system. Highlighting the brand's material innovation, key components of the winding system are crafted from zirconium oxide ceramic. The automatic wheel and clicks are black ceramic, while the rotor bearing is white ceramic. The movement oscillates at 4Hz and offers a 60-hour power reserve, visible through a tinted sapphire glass case back.

Beyond its technical marvel, the watch maintains the characteristic design of the Ingenieur, with a black dial featuring the iconic "Grid" structure and Super-LumiNova®-filled hands and markers. Lightweight and scratch-resistant, the ceramic construction offers both exceptional performance and aesthetic elegance.

Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41: A Horological Milestone
The Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41 marks a significant milestone - this stainless steel model represents a convergence of two iconic design legacies: The Gérald Genta-inspired Ingenieur design and Kurt Klaus's renowned perpetual calendar complication.
The 41-millimeter watch features a meticulously crafted blue dial with the signature "Grid" structure. Three subdials are carefully integrated to create a balanced layout: The date display at 3 o'clock; month combined with a perpetual moon phase at 6 o'clock; and day with a leap year indicator at 9 o'clock.
IWC Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41 - IW344903

The moon phase display is characterised by precision. Using a reduction gear train with two intermediate wheels, it will deviate by only one day after an astounding 577.5 years. The leap year indicator elegantly counts down to the next leap year, with the calendar automatically inserting a 29th day in February when required.

Powering the watch is the IWC-manufactured 82600 calibre, featuring the innovative Pellaton automatic winding system. High-stress components are crafted from virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic – the automatic wheel and clicks in black, and the rotor bearing in white. The movement provides a robust 60-hour power reserve and oscillates at 28,800 vibrations per hour.

The watch's design is a testament to IWC's commitment to refined craftsmanship. The case, bezel, and H-link bracelet blend satin-finished and polished surfaces, creating a sculptural quality that reflects the Ingenieur's timeless design. The characteristic bezel, secured by five functional screws, pays homage to Gérald Genta's original vision. Legibility is ensured by rhodium-plated hands and metal markers filled with Super-LumiNova®. The sapphire glass case back offers a view of the elaborately finished movement, complete with circular graining, Geneva stripes, and blued screws.

Pilot's Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month
IWC updates its Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph collection with the first Performance Chronograph with a perpetual calendar. The new launch combines multiple advanced features in an all-black design that exemplifies IWC's engineering philosophy. The watch features a case, pushers, crown, and bracelet crafted from Ceratanium®, an innovative material that merges the lightness of titanium with the hardness of ceramic. This proprietary material is forged to IWC's exacting specifications, creating a watch that is both lightweight and incredibly resilient.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month-IW388801

The most striking feature is the digital perpetual calendar, which takes inspiration from IWC's historic Pallweber pocket watches from the 1880s. Large golden discs at 3 and 9 o'clock display the date and month in a digital format, creating a mesmerizing visual display. The complexity of this mechanism is remarkable - a sophisticated energy storage system precisely moves the discs at the end of each month or year, including the leap year disc at 6 o'clock. Despite the intricate four-disc system, the calendar can be set using only the crown.

Powering this exceptional timepiece is the IWC-manufactured 89802 calibre, a high-end mechanical movement comprising 474 individual components. The movement not only drives a chronograph function but also boasts a 68-hour power reserve. The stopped hours and minutes are displayed combined in a totaliser at 12 o’clock. Enthusiasts will appreciate the tinted sapphire glass case back, which reveals blackened bridges and a skeletonized rotor, offering a glimpse into the watch's mechanical heart.


Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL
The new Big Pilot Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL represents a breakthrough in shock protection for complex mechanical watches. This is the first time IWC has applied its patented SPRIN-g PROTECT® shock absorber system to a tourbillon movement, making it a testament to the brand's advanced engineering division, XPL.

Constructed with IWC's proprietary Ceratanium® - a material that combines the lightness of titanium with the hardness of ceramic - the 44-millimeter case features distinctive rubber bumpers. The dial is reduced to a simple black ring with the characteristic pilot's watch triangle at 12 o'clock, and even the hands are skeletonized and coated with Super-LumiNova for optimal legibility.

At the heart of this timepiece lies the flying minute tourbillon at the 6 o’clock position. Visible through the skeletonized dial, the tourbillon comprises 56 individual parts and weighs a mere 0.663 grams. 

Traditionally, tourbillons are known for their extreme fragility - dozens of precisely crafted components must work in perfect harmony within an incredibly confined space. This vulnerability has always been a significant challenge for watchmakers, as even minor shocks can potentially damage the intricate mechanism. IWC's solution, the SPRIN-g PROTECT® shock absorber system, uses a specially designed cantilever spring made from bulk metallic glass (BMG), a material with a unique amorphous atomic structure that provides exceptional elasticity. During development, engineers meticulously recalculated the spring's eight arms, using advanced simulation tools to perfectly match the tourbillon's specific dimensions and weight.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL - IW357701

The shock protection system is capable of extraordinary performance. During rigorous testing, the protected tourbillon movements survived impacts exceeding 10,000 g - a testament to the system's innovative design. This is achieved through a complex manufacturing process that requires extremely rapid cooling of the liquid metal to maintain its unique amorphous microstructure, preventing it from becoming crystalline and losing its advantageous properties.

The 82915 movement is extensively skeletonized, with plates, bridges, and rotor carefully machined to reduce mass and maximize the shock absorption system's performance. This approach not only improves the watch's technical capabilities but also creates a spectacular view of the mechanical inner workings. 

Limited to 100 pieces, the watch is completed with a black rubber strap with a technical pattern and a Ceratanium® pin buckle.

Images courtesy: IWC 
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