To faithfully translate the IWC Ingenieur design into ceramic while maintaining a slim profile—11.5 mm thick—, IWC employed an innovative multi-part pure ceramic 42 mm case construction. The case ring, bezel, and case back are crafted from black zirconium oxide ceramic—the watch has a total weight of 131 grams—and is known for its exceptional hardness and scratch resistance. Even the add-on components, such as the crown and crown protection, are made from this durable material. Inside, a thin titanium ring secures the functional screws from the bezel and case back while housing the movement, ensuring a high water resistance of 100 meters. The black dial with Ingenieur motif looks excellent, making the watch very stealthy.
This groundbreaking approach preserves the iconic design of the original stainless steel Ingenieur while delivering a true ceramic version. An interesting touch is the double-digit on the calendar for numbers under 10. The integrated bracelet, attached to the case through its middle links, offers perfect ergonomics, and as ceramic is remarkably lightweight, the watch is incredibly comfortable to wear. The black dial features the signature “Grid” pattern, composed of tiny lines and squares. The black hands and metal markers are coated with Super-LumiNova to enhance readability in all lighting conditions.
For the Ingenieur Automatic 42 ref. IW338903 in black ceramic, IWC has pushed the limits of ceramic finishing through a combination of satin-finishing, sandblasting, and polishing. Since ceramic is one of the most complex materials on Earth, this intricate process requires considerable time and diamond-tipped tools.
The 181-part IWC-manufactured 82110 calibre powering the watch features the Pellaton winding system. This system efficiently converts the motion of the oscillating mass in both directions into energy for the mainspring, providing a 60-hour power reserve. Components subjected to high stress are made from virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic. The movement can be admired through the tinted sapphire glass case back.
On the wrist, the watch looks really good and wears slightly smaller, at least visually, because of its all-black stealthy look. It's a great watch that delivers on quality, precision, and design. This watch is one millimeter larger than the stainless steel Ingenieur.
Sticker Price USD 19,500. For more info on IWC click here.
