IWC Ingenieur: What have they done?
Two of the watches in demand are the Patek Nautilus and the AP Royal Oak by Gerald Genta. What else is by Genta: the IWC Ingenieur. And what did IWC do with it: nothing.
The IW357002 looks so generic and has none of the charm of the original design. I don't understand how you can leave it so left: they could just reissue the IWC Ingenieur 3521 in 40mm size and land an absolute hit.
What do you think?
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Oliver
It's not where you have been. It's where you are going.
Hamburg
Member since
Last active: 3 months ago
This is just my opinion, and obviously my view doesn't comport with general market demand, but I actually think the Royal Oak and the Nautilus are both FUGLY!
But, definitely to your point, I didn't even know the Ingenieur existed! That's crazy. I think that's an absolutely gorgeous watch. In fact, hell, I may buy one right now!
I do think it's fascinating that PP discontinued the Nautilus 5571. Brilliant long-term thinking - probably only possible when you have a family owned business, like Patek.
https://www.ablogtowatch.com/patek-philippe-was-right-to-discontinue-the-nautilus-5711-watch/
I’ve never been a fan of the Royal Oak or Nautilus either. Especially the Nautilus. I absolutely do not get what it is about that watch that demands either the price or the wait.
I also like the IW357002. It has a sleekness that I find really appealing, and the bracelet is pretty sweet.
Honestly, I could not resist and bought it last week. Wears a little bit larger than its measurements on paper.
The Genta Ingenieur. Sometimes call the Tressor or the Jumbo. Made in less than 500 pieces. Actually has a tuxedo pattern dial.
I know it is not a popular opinion but I don’t like the Genta integrated bracelet watches like the Royal Oak I actually bought the 357002 after seeing it in person and trying it on. A great bracelet and a timeless beauty in my opinion. A watch you must see in person to appreciate. I guess where some see “generic” others see “timeless.” The 357002 goes with anything and will never be out of fashion.
The Genta Ingenieur. Sometimes call the Tressor or the Jumbo. Made in less than 500 pieces. Actually has a tuxedo pattern dial.
I absolutely love this one. Unfortunately to expensive for me. But a stunning piece.
There are rumors that IWC may announce a return the Genta-styled Ingenieur at W&W 2022 in a couple of weeks. Who knows if it's true, but IWC has no doubt lived to regret its decision to abandon the Genta-based design in 2017--the exact point in time when the market for integrated bracelet steel watches exploded. There's a great chain on WUS listing all of the integrated steel sports watches out now, there are like 30 of them now.
The sad thing is that IWC has real historical chops, being one of the trio of watches actually designed by Genta. Dropping that design in 2017 was like the guy at Excite who turned down the offer to buy Google in 1999 for $750k.
So looks like the Ingenieur wasn’t replaced at W&W despite rumours and speculation, would have been nice to see but clearly IWC saw more potential with the Pilot line, or perhaps have been stung by low sales of the current version Ingenieur. Perhaps next year?
I’m wearing the Ingenieur today that no one else seems to love.