IWC is introducing a new dial color to their Ingenieur collection this week, and while it doesn’t represent a big change, it does bring out a new personality for the newly redesigned integrated sport watch. This is a watch that’s largely flown under the radar since its release in early 2023, with few examples in the market, and a difficult to swallow price tag. That said, the watch has plenty of redeeming qualities, which are outlined in the full review right here. After a year focused on the Portugieser (which resulted in a Aiguille d’Or win at the GPHG for the Portugieser Eternal Calendar), IWC seems to be returning to their core strength in tool(ish) watches with this latest Ingenieur.
The newest member of the Ingenieur 3286 collection features a midnight blue dial, and it stands apart from the existing dial options in a big way. The existing blue dial falls into the teal/aqua range and has a highly dynamic personality that has a lot of presence. This darker blue is set over the same basket weave texture, but it tones things down considerably while retaining a sense of class. It’s a beautiful dial that feels distinctly different from the black and silver dial options.
This is merely a new dial addition to the collection, so the 40mm case and integrated bracelet (with brushed center link) remain unchanged, as does the manufacture caliber 32111 at work inside. That’s a very good thing as this watch is excellent on the wrist, with the execution of the bracelet in particular being a high point of the design and fit and finish. The butterfly clasp will be used here, though the quick adjust deployant is presumably available upon request, depending on your relationship with the AD.
Looking back, the newest generation of the Ingenieur has laid a strong foundation for IWC to build on. They avoided the trap of creating a perfect 1:1 recreation of Genta’s original SL design, opting instead to create a modern design. While still immediately recognizable, the new design allows for more options in terms of building out a comprehensive collection that isn’t beholden to the past. I expect this new blue dial reference to set a tone for what we can expect from the brand in the coming year. However, I’m still holding out hope for a new Aquatimer.
The new Ingenieur with a midnight blue dial is available now, and is priced at $11,700. There’s still some sticker shock with this one, but the few that have found their way into the secondary market seem to correct for this, with selling prices landing around $8,000, depending on the dial. That feels like a healthier range for this one, and IWC still appears to be methodical in how many of these are getting into the hands of customers, so I’d expect that to stabilize the market. Here’s hoping for more new releases into the Inge collection in 2025. IWC