A Closer Look at the Blue Dial IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40

Let’s get up close and personal… We have already explored the revamped IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 in detail when it was launched in 2023, the same year that the Schaffhausen-based brand decided to give this long-lasting collection its 1976 Genta-inspired design back. More recently, what is now a strong contender in the luxury sports watch category (also known as an elegant sports watch with an integrated bracelet) got a new deep blue dial, a classic of the genre, making it possibly the best new Ingenieur Automatic yet. I am well aware a lot has been said about the collection already, and a lot will be said about this one, too, but one thing we should all agree on now is that visually, the Ingenieur looks quite amazing in classical steel and blue. So here’s our video review of this newest edition.

The Ingenieur has been around since the mid-1950s, but the current generation was presented in 2023 and marked a complete redesign of the range. With it, IWC brought back the shape and design of the 1976 SL Jumbo Ref. 1832, penned by the late and great Gerald Genta. At first, it was presented in stainless steel with a black, silver or Aqua blue-green dial or a full titanium edition with a monochromatic grey dial. Now, though, the collection has expanded to include the most popular colour combination for a luxury sports watch: stainless steel and deep blue for the dial.

In terms of design, it’s identical to the quartet from last year. The shaped case has an integrated construction, with the case neatly flowing smoothly into the lugs and bracelet. This is an essential design element in luxury sports watches, pioneered by Genta, of course, and imitated by a whole range of brands since the blueprint Royal Oak from 1972.

For the IWC Ingenieur Automatic, we’re talking about a 40mm wide by 10.8mm steel case with a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. On top, the signature five screws on the bezel give the Ingenieur its own identity, along with a crown flanked by a pair of flared protectors.

On to the dial, which now comes in a deep blue tone, obviously. This combination can be found in pretty much every other luxury sports watch, so it’s only logical that IWC would eventually follow suit. The grid-like pattern, which is stamped into a soft-iron base, certainly pops in this new tone! The applied markers and hands are filled with Super-LumiNova, just like its siblings, and there’s a framed date window at three.

Beating away beneath the solid caseback is IWC’s proprietary automatic calibre 32111. This has a bi-directional pawl system for efficient winding, which feels fitting given the very lengthy 120-hour power reserve. That’s a massive 5-day autonomy, more than any of its direct competitors. Furthermore, it beats at a frequency of 28,800vph, and it’s shielded from magnetic forces by a soft-iron inner case. Nowadays, it’s not really a necessity to use an inner case since balance springs and mainsprings can be made from anti-magnetic materials, but it’s a cool sentimental feature.

Naturally, the Ingenieur has an integrated stainless steel bracelet which is very nicely finished. The top surfaces of the inner and outer links are all brushed, with a polished finish for the lateral bevels on the links. The butterfly clasp is concealed neatly, with only the pushers visible from the underside. The only downside is the absence of micro-adjustability and a quick-release system. These days, that seems like a go-to solution, but IWC still thinks otherwise… at least as standard, as a classic folding clasp with micro-adjustment can apparently be acquired separately from the brand’s boutiques.

Thoughts, Competition and Price

The IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 Blue Dial (ref. IW328907) joins the permanent collection and comes with a sticker price of EUR 12,700 (incl. taxes), CHF 12,000 (incl. taxes) or USD 11,700 (excl. taxes). And yes, it must be said that it’s quite a lot of money for what is essentially just a steel time-and-date watch with a relatively simple movement inside. On the other hand, it certainly looks fantastic, and the finishing of the case and bracelet is quite impressive.

Looking at the competitive environment, the IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 is not alone in the market. For instance, it comes in direct competition with the Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38mm or 42mm, which is priced at around EUR 15,000 in stainless steel. Another potential contender could be the Zenith Defy Skyline, which comes with the advantage of high-frequency movement and an interchangeable strap/bracelet at EUR 9,400, yet perhaps with a bit less elegance. The classic steel-blue Chopard Alpine Eagle 41mm, an impressively executed model, is priced on the higher side at EUR 15,900, justified by its overall refinement. There are, of course, watches in the same category in far more accessible or far more expensive price ranges, as you can see in this article.

For more details, please visit iwc.com.