Performance engineering on the wrist: an appreciation of the new IWC Ingenieur collection

       IWCembarking on a new partnership with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula OneF1™ Team (MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team) and using this occasion to launch the comprehensively redesigned 2013 Ingenieur watch collection. Over the next three years, IWC will act as the Official Engineering Partner of the Mercedes-Benz team (MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team). IWC designers drew inspiration from F1™ Formula One to design the new Ingenieur collection. Typical materials from the motorsport material library, such as carbon steel, ceramics, and titanium, have paved the way for a fresh approach to the design of the Ingenieur collection. Exquisite workmanship further elevates IWC Schaffhausen's 140-year reputation as a premier watch manufacturer.

       Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, said of the global partnership with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula OneF1™ Team (MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team): “The engineers of our two companies have a great deal in common. Precision technology and innovation are their shared pursuit and passion. They are the unsung heroes who lay the foundations for success through cutting-edge technology and exquisite craftsmanship. They continually push the limits of mechanics and strive for top-tier performance and precision engineering. This tireless pursuit of perfection is what both sides refer to as ‘performance engineering’”.

       The collaboration between IWC and Mercedes-Benz dates back to 2004 10, when Schaffhausen-based IWC announced its partnership with AMG, the high-performance brand of Mercedes-Benz. One year later, IWC launched two Ingenieur watches under the AMG name for the first time. The long-standing successful partnership between the two parties is now also extending into F1™ Formula One motorsport. To showcase their common foundations, IWC Schaffhausen and the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula OneF1™ Team (MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team) have joined forces across disciplines to embark on this new partnership. “We are extremely proud to be joining hands for the next three years with a partner that shares the same values”, stated Karoline Huber, IWC Director of Marketing Communications. “F1™Formula One not only complements IWC's core philosophy of ‘crafting watches for men’, but also encompasses technological challenges, thrilling moments, and an exciting race against time. All of this creates a genuinely evocative atmosphere to tell the captivating story of the Ingenieur watch collection. ”IWC not only draws inspiration from high-tech modern motorsport to introduce new watch creations, but is also adept at drawing inspiration from the rich historical roots of motorsport, thereby designing special commemorative editions. For instance, in the 1930s and in 1954/1955, Mercedes-Benz Silver Arrow cars dominated international racing and reigned supreme. Accordingly, IWC specifically designed the Ingenieur Chronograph Edition Silver Arrow as a tribute to this legendary Mercedes racing car.

       The storied Ingenieur watch family was also born in the 1950s. True to the motto “continuous improvement and steady progress”, the Ingenieur line exemplifies IWC's watchmaking philosophy. Featuring a stark aesthetic and rich functionality, the watch also boasts peerless inner technology, such as the first bidirectional winding automatic movement and magnetic field protection. Before long, the Ingenieur collection became synonymous with precision and reliability. Over time, thanks to its exceptional durability, the Ingenieur won praise not only from technicians but also from numerous athletes and global travellers. In 2013, the Ingenieur watch collection was reintroduced, aligning seamlessly with a sport that combines all three of those attributes: F1™ Formula One motorsport.

       Two leading high-tech powerhouses

        The comprehensively revamped 2013 Ingenieur watch collection is ready for launch, boasting numerous highlights. The exceptional Ingenieur Constant-Force Tourbillon (Ref. 5900) takes pride of place at the head of the line-up in a platinum and ceramic case. Its patented constant-force mechanism is integrated into a tourbillon, ensuring absolute precision in the rate accuracy. Two barrel springs provide the greater torque required to drive the constant-force tourbillon, whilst also supplying the necessary energy for the moon phase display module, representing first-class performance engineering. Equally remarkable is the Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month (Ref. 3792), which features a titanium-aluminide case, perpetual calendar, and digital date display. To allow the driving mechanism to deliver maximum efficiency, the watch utilises the principle of energy recovery —— similar to F1™ the hybrid propulsion button in Formula One. Its quick-action switch diverts and accumulates a small fraction of energy during the nightly date change, releasing it precisely at the end of the month or year. The date, month, and leap year display discs on the dial all feature translucent sapphire crystal display windows, allowing a glimpse of the discs rotating during the date change. On New Year's Eve, as many as 5 discs rotate simultaneously —— much like a brilliant technical firework display that will quicken the pulse of fine mechanics enthusiasts.

        The new, dynamic Ingenieur collection

        These two high-tech powerhouses represent the two design paths of the 2013 Ingenieur collection: the first retains a stainless steel case for a robust, clean aesthetic; the second adopts a sporty style with a case crafted from innovative materials inspired by the F1™ Formula One material pool. Christian Knoop, Creative Director at IWC Schaffhausen, explains: “ In the newly launched Ingenieur collection, IWC Schaffhausen interprets the racing theme by employing typical motor racing materials such as carbon fibre, ceramic, and titanium, whilst drawing aesthetic inspiration from modern F1™ Formula One cockpits. Screws fixing the glass bezel to the case further underscore the high-tech, dynamic character of the watch. In doing so, we naturally propel this long-standing IWC Schaffhausen product line into its next stage of development. Inspired by our own heritage —— such as the legendary Ingenieur SL designed by renowned watch designer Gérald Genta —— we have ingeniously combined technical innovation with distinctive design in this new collection to create truly exceptional products ” robust and masculine Ingenieur watches.

        A prime example of the new sporty style is the limited-edition Ingenieur Carbon Performance Automatic (Ref. 3224). Its case and dial are crafted from carbon fibre sheets impregnated with epoxy resin and cured under high pressure and temperature, identical to the safety cells (monocoques) and bodywork of F1™ high-tech Formula One racing cars. Carbon fibre has long been an iconic material in F1™ Formula One and a symbol of impressive material innovation. IWC Schaffhausen has not only applied this modern material to individual components but also used it to construct the entire exterior housing of the Ingenieur Carbon Performance Automatic, further enhancing IWC Schaffhausen's reputation as a premier watchmaker. The inspiration for the Ingenieur Automatic AMG Black Series Ceramic (Ref. 3225) stems from the long-standing partnership between IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG, the high-performance brand of Mercedes-Benz. Ceramics and zirconium oxide were already used as watchmaking materials by IWC Schaffhausen as early as 1986, much like the introduction of titanium in 1980. Today, titanium is used to manufacture the case of the Ingenieur Double Chronograph Titanium (Ref. 3865). Thanks to its split-seconds function, this chronograph is ideal for measuring fastest lap times. Meanwhile, the Ingenieur Dual Time Titanium (Ref. 3264) further refines the sportive design line of the Ingenieur collection. Its second time zone display enables the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula OneF1™ Team ™ to keep track of time reliably even amidst frequent time zone travels.

        Clean and pure, feature-packed, and technically perfected

        The classic Ingenieur collection has always been instantly recognisable by its solid stainless steel case and 5 drill holes. Clean and pure, feature-packed, and technically perfected, the collection is the culmination of the 60-year history of the Ingenieur. Both the Ingenieur Chronograph Racer and the Ingenieur Chronograph Silver Arrow (Ref. 3785) are suited for timing, measuring pit stop intervals, and calculating vehicle speeds over a reference distance using the tachymeter scale. The Racer edition features fine engravings of modern F1™ high-tech racing cars, whilst the Ingenieur Chronograph Silver Arrow reinterprets the legendary Mercedes-Benz racing myth. The silver-plated dial with perlage decoration dates back to the legendary Silver Arrow W25 race cars, whose instrumentation was mounted on a perlage-decorated dashboard. Additionally, the case back of the watch is engraved with the motif of a historic Silver Arrow. The Ingenieur Automatic (Ref. 3239) rounds off the classic design line of the collection with its elegant three-hand appearance. Renowned for its clean styling, this timepiece exudes timeless appeal while boasting a convincing magnetic field protection of up to 4 kA/m.

        The in-depth research and development of suitable materials is not restricted to the watches themselves, but also applies to the bracelets and straps of IWC Schaffhausen. The newly launched rubber strap this year features textile and leather linings; this combination blends the elegant visual texture of the strap with the comfortable feel and durability of the rubber inner side, offering a refreshing impression. Given the case dimensions, and to ensure a comfortable fit, the connection between the case and the strap has also been ergonomically improved by increasing the downward curvature angle. This makes the concave contact surface mould more closely to the wrist. The metal bracelet of the Ingenieur Chronograph Racer is equipped with a fine-adjustment device, allowing the wearer to make minute adjustments to the bracelet length at any time. By simply pressing the button bearing the IWC logo in the centre of the clasp and gently sliding the bracelet, the length can be easily adjusted whenever desired.

        Regarding the collective debut of the Ingenieur collection, Georges Kern summarised: “ The distinctive new Ingenieur collection possesses three key attributes: exceptional IWC drive units, sophisticated movement functions, and typical F1™ Formula One materials. ” The CEO of IWC Schaffhausen also emphasised: “ The various movements used in this collection demonstrate the innovative spirit of our watchmakers, such as the 94800 calibre with a constant-force mechanism and the 89802 calibre with a quick-switch device. Ultimately, the Ingenieur collection stands at the pinnacle of haute horlogerie thanks to its complex complications, such as the tourbillon, perpetual calendar, large digital date display, or moon phase display. ”

       Visionary and keeping pace with the times

       In the history of the Ingenieur watch family, several timepieces have not only embodied the spirit of their respective eras but have also adopted forward-looking technology and modern design to carve out a brand-new developmental path for the watchmaking industry, exerting a profound influence on the evolution of the Ingenieur. The first batch of Ingenieur watches (reference 666) was introduced in 1955. At that time, the economy was booming, and enthusiasm for technology was growing daily. The bidirectional automatic winding movement housed within the watch was crafted by Albert Pellaton, the then Technical Director of IWC. This highly efficient Pellaton winding system provided the manufacture with a crucial competitive advantage. Similarly, the magnetic field protection also played an indispensable role. Designed specifically for professionals frequently working within magnetic fields, the watch was named accordingly: the Ingenieur.

       In the mid-1970s, freelance designer Gérald Genta revolutionised the appearance of modern timepieces with an unadorned design language full of technical charm. He designed the legendary Ingenieur SL (reference 1832) for IWC, choosing not to conceal the drilling holes on the bezel dictated by the manufacturing process, but instead making them a signature feature of the watch family.

       1980 In the nineteen seventies, IWC launched the Ingenieur watch collection featuring slim automatic movements, including the new Ingenieur SL watch (reference 3505) released in 1983, which measured only 10 millimetres in thickness. The Schaffhausen-based watchmaker also introduced the titanium Ingenieur watch (reference 3350) in 1985, pioneering the use of advanced titanium as a material within the Ingenieur family. In 1989, IWC presented the Ingenieur Automatic watch (reference 3508) “ 50 thousand amperes per metre ” edition (500000 A/m), whose powerful magnetic field protection could even withstand the magnetic field effects of magnetic resonance imaging devices of up to 370 thousand amperes per metre. In 2005, the watch family made a glorious return with three new models. The Big Ingenieur watch (reference 5005) caused a sensation upon its debut in 2007 with its calibre 51113 movement featuring the Pellaton winding system and a 7-day power reserve. In the years that followed, the Ingenieur Automatic watch (reference 3236) became a reliable timepiece for extreme conditions due to its robustness and durability.

       Just as a roaring high-performance engine resonates with car enthusiasts, the brand-new 2013 Ingenieur collection is bound to strike a chord with lovers of precision movements.