Impressive, but then again..
..it’s an IWC, and I don’t like IWC. Their attitude towards complaining customers on their company forum is embarrassing. Furthermore, the design of most IWC’s is too sterile for me. Like Audi cars. I bet a lot of IWC fans drive Audi cars 
However, the Ingenieur is an exception to this feeling. I saw and handled one today in Gerard’s shop. An IWC Ingenieur ref. IW2337. A thick and solid watch, and one of the view watches I really like for having an integrated bracelet (as the AP Royal Oak and VC Overseas).
Horloge Platform Nederland is selling this one New In Box (NIB) for 4640 Euro. If I had the money, and no problems with IWC’s attitude, I would probably left the store today with a new watch.
Photo by Horloge Platform Nederland.
Some specifications (from their website):
IWC Caliber 80110
- Vibrations: 28 800/h / 4 Hz
- Jewels: 28
- Power-reserve: 44 h
- Automatic movement with Pellaton winding system
- Integrated shock-absorbing system
- Date display with crown-activated rapid calendar advance
- Hour and minute hands
- Central seconds hand with stop function
- Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields of up to 80,000 A/m
- Screw-in back
- Screw-in crown
- Luminous elements of hands and indices
- IWC metal bracelet system with folding clasp
- Sapphire glass coated on both sides
- Water-resistant to 120 m
November 28th, 2005 at 00:49
I love the vintage Ingenieurs, but can’t get into the new ones. A friend described the look as “cartoonish” and I tend to agree. In addition, the lack of honesty (perhaps that’s too strong a word?) w/ respect to their movements sources has turned me off the brand a bit.
Chris
http://amateureconblog.blogspot.com/
November 28th, 2005 at 05:17
Hey RJ - I just sold off a bunch of my watches (including a Speedy 1957 Replica !) to fund the SS Inge. It truly is all that you say….the bracelet and casework are amazing, and great looking despite it’s plain-ness…here’s some pics, Regards, Dave
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzer4wt4/inge/inge2.jpg
http://mysite.verizon.net/vzer4wt4/inge/inge4.jpg
November 28th, 2005 at 12:00
I must agree with RJ that IWC’s designs are to sterile for me. But what really turns me off is the movements that they use. A Portugieser with a 7750 based movement, IWC should be ashamed of itself.
November 28th, 2005 at 16:42
A few months ago, perhaps even longer, there was a copy of this german watchmagazine who reviewed/compared an IWC Portugieser against a Zenith with El Primero movement. They included some large close-ups of both movements. The movement of the IWC seemed to be pressed out a piece of scrap metal. Seriously, you could see very clearly that this movement surely wasn’t part of any finishing on the minor details. I wouldn’t spend 5300 euros on this watch, even if you get the regular 20-25% off at the grey dealers this watch doesn’t seem to be a good deal.
November 28th, 2005 at 18:38
I read the same article…the 7750 was gold plated which makes it look very cheap. The 7750 is a nice movement but belongs in my opinion more in a Hamilton then in a IWC. 5300 euro’s for a 7750….not very honest to the consumer in my opinion.
November 29th, 2005 at 19:19
Integral bracelets are generally a deal-breaker for me. I also don’t care for the holes on the bezel, and the lume on the hands looks pretty slim.
The wide hands and legibility are plusses, though.
All said, not my first choice in that price range.
Jeremy
December 8th, 2005 at 00:15
Hi RJ,
Remember our conversation (during our walk to Slaets in Antwerp) about this piece. Just like you I “hate” IWC……except this piece
John
January 4th, 2006 at 13:01
I would rather have a coaxial or a rolex sub over a watch wit ha very reworked valjoux 7750. 4650€ that is too expensive for a non inhouse movement in watch that isn’t cosc certified