The Ingenieur Legacy, Reimagined
By Cordelia Hyde, Client Advisor & IWC Ambassador, DMR Liverpool
There’s a distinct pleasure in sharing a watch with true heritage. Here at David M Robinson’s Liverpool flagship, as IWC Ambassador, I guide clients towards timepieces defined not only by their precision but by their compelling stories. The story with the most captivating narrative today is that of the Ingenieur collection – a name forever linked to visionary Gerald Genta.
Genta’s legacy, a foundation throughout modern watch design, transformed the Ingenieur of the 1970s through its blend of industrial ruggedness and bold styling. It was engineered for purpose yet conceived with an architect’s flair. This core principle – the fusion of robust functionality and distinctive design – remains the essence of the Ingenieur collection we present today. And this year, IWC has thoughtfully expanded its vision, ensuring this icon resonates with an even broader audience.
Stepping into our showroom, the contemporary presence of the Ingenieur Automatic 40 in stainless steel consistently draws attention. Its clean lines and seamlessly integrated H-link bracelet speak of confident, modern engineering. We are particularly pleased to highlight two exceptional expressions. The reference IW328902, in steel with an Argente dial priced at £10,100, offers timeless clarity with its silvery-white dial presenting understated sophistication. The Ingenieur dials have a distinctive “Grid” structure of small lines and squares which reflect light at alternating angles, a visual delight to any detail-orientated wearer with a need for symmetry. Launched last year, the reference IW328907, also in steel but with a deep blue dial at £10,100, has quickly established itself as a modern classic. This specific blue hue possesses a clean, compelling depth that resonates strongly on the wrist.
For those seeking the pinnacle of material luxury within this engineering concept, the reference IW328702 is a striking new expression. This 40mm model in 18ct 5N gold, unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2025 and priced at £40,200, is truly impressive. When you handle this piece in our Liverpool showroom, you appreciate the substantial feel of the gold and the subtle play of light on its polished case edges and bracelet, a definitive finishing detail. It demonstrates how the Ingenieur’s inherent robustness can be elevated through precious materials into a distinct statement of luxury. We genuinely encourage experiencing its presence in person.
Acknowledging a desire for elegant scale, IWC introduced the Ingenieur Automatic 35 this year. This is not simply a reduction in size; it’s a considered reinterpretation, meticulously retaining the collection’s defining characteristics – the five-bolt bezel and integrated bracelet – with graceful proportion. The reference IW324901, in stainless steel at £8,900, offers remarkable versatility. It appeals equally to women seeking a sophisticated statement piece with horological substance and men preferring a refined, classic size, sitting perfectly on a range of wrists. Complementing this, the reference IW324903 in 18ct 5N gold priced at £32,700 brings the warmth and prestige of gold to the 35mm form. It’s an object of fine craftsmanship, yet unmistakably carries the Ingenieur engineering spirit.
One of the most rewarding discussions we facilitate involves experiencing the Ingenieur sizes side by side. Presenting a stainless steel 40mm model, perhaps the classic Argente IW328902 or the compelling blue IW328907, alongside the steel 35mm IW324901 creates a genuinely harmonious visual. Whether considered as complementary pieces for a couple, a shared passion between generations like parent and child, or simply appreciated for the coherent design language across scales, it underscores the collection’s thoughtful evolution. It speaks to shared values of enduring quality and timeless aesthetics.
The Ingenieur’s versatility across sizes was on full display at this year’s Gentlemen’s Singles Final at Wimbledon. During a day out on centre court, British F1 driver, and IWC Ambassador, George Russell and his partner, Carmen Montero Mundt, were both pictured wearing Ingenieur models. Carmen chose the elegant Ingenieur Automatic 35 in 18ct 5N gold (ref. IW324903), with its warm tones and proportion making a sophisticated statement. George selected the Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41 in stainless steel with a blue dial (ref. IW344903), a significant 2025 novelty. This watch marries the iconic Genta design with IWC’s crown-operated perpetual calendar – a notable horological achievement in steel. Their pairing perfectly captures how the collection, from the 35mm right through to the perpetual calendar, offers distinct expressions of engineering and style for different wrists.
At David M Robinson, we understand that appreciating a timepiece like the Ingenieur transcends technical specifications. It’s about the tactile experience – the weight and balance on the wrist, the interplay of light on the dial and case, the comfort of the bracelet, and connecting with the legacy of Gerald Genta realised through IWC’s renowned engineering. My role, and the role of our entire team here in Liverpool, is to take you through this process. We will discuss the heritage, explain the nuances and help you find the Ingenieur that best suits you, based on your individual taste and appreciation of quality watchmaking.
The Ingenieur represents enduring design and technical integrity. Proud and equipped, the 40mm case models house the IWC manufacture calibre 32111, with an efficient 120-hour power reserve stretching over 5 days and fully automatic.
We invite you to visit our Liverpool showroom to experience these remarkable timepieces firsthand. Allow us to share the passion, the heritage, and the distinctive engineering character of IWC’s Ingenieur. Discover where a legendary legacy meets contemporary luxury, crafted for the wrist.
DMR, 4 South John Street, Liverpool ONE, L1 8BJ
www.davidmrobinson.co.uk
