IWC Ingenieur Automatic 3570

Overview

Both Rolex and IWC saw the need for a watch for engineers and scientists in the 1950s, combining rugged automatic movements, water-resistant cases, and anti-magnetic concepts in the Rolex Milgauss and this IWC Ingenieur. The concept has remained for over 50 years, with the IWC Ingenieur family spawning many models, including an iconic redesign by famed designer Gerald Genta, a pivot to motor racing, and the use of exotic materials like titanium and ceramic.

IWC re-launched the Ingenieur line in 2005 with the in-house Cal. 80111 Ref. 3227 Ingenieur Automatic, styled like Genta's original Ingenieur SL before going "Vintage" with the successor, Ref. 3233 Ingenieur. But neither of these achieved the sales success of other Ingenieur models, so IWC rebooted the line again for 2013 with a high-tech but affordable basic Ingenieur model, Ref. 3239.

With the ending of the IWC Mercedes AMG partnership imminent, the brand turned away from the racing-style models that dominated since 2013 and returned to the "Vintage" look first explored in 2008 with the Ref. 3233 Ingenieur. All traces of Genta's Ingenieur SL were eliminated, along with any of the sport wedge styling of Ref. 3239. Simple bar markers and lume pips decorate a simple sunburst dial with sword hands. Instead of the "INGENIEUR" logo found on every previous model, Ref. 3570 simply says "AUTOMATIC" above the marker at 6:00, and there is no anti-magnetic inner core like most previous models.

Like Ref. 3239, the movement is no longer an in-house design. "Cal. 35111" is based on the Sellita SW300-1, itself based on the ETA 2892-2. This Ingenieur Automatic is available in [[stainless steel] with or without a steel bracelet (Ref. IW357002 and IW357001, respectively) or in red gold with a leather strap (Ref. IW357003).

2017 Ingenieur Range

The Ingenieur lineup was wiped clean in 2017 with four new models introduced, all in "vintage" cases and lacking the Ingenieur logo. The basic Ingenieur model is the Ingenieur Automatic, Ref. 3570, which is joined by the three chronograph models, Ref. 3808, Ref. 3809, and Ref. 3812. The top of the range is the Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month, Ref. 3817.

Reference:

IW357001 Stainless steel and silver with leather strap

IW357002 Stainless steel and black with steel bracelet

IW357003 Red gold and anthracite with leather strap

Movement:

Self-winding movement Cal. 35111 (SW300-1), 28,800 A/h

Integrated shock absorber system

25 jewels

Power reserve 42 h

Case:

Stainless steel or red gold

Ø 40.0 mm, H 10.5 mm