Sameera Gamage 
IWC Schaffhausen takes a contemporary approach with the Ingenieur collection, offering three new models in a 35mm case size!
While IWC Schaffhausen has several well-known collections from past to present, three stand out as the most influential in shaping the brand into the Swiss giant it is today: the Portugieser, the Pilot’s Watches and the Ingenieur. These collections helped establish IWC’s reputation for mechanical innovation, especially during the Quartz Crisis, a time when Swiss watchmaking faced significant challenges.
The IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur collection was first introduced in 1955 as a professional tool watch that was designed for engineers and scientists who needed protection against magnetic fields. While the design of the original models was attractive, they weren’t overly unique to stand out from the crowd. This was until the legendary watch designer Gérald Genta came along and reimagined the Ingenieur in 1976 to put it into the realm of watchmaking icons.
Related Reading: Masters of Time: The IWC Journey Through the Ages
Gérald Genta used designed codes that worked for the time and offered a new perspective on steel watches: integrated bracelet designs. Combine this with the bold bezel with five screws, the tonnau shaped case with circular bezel and how the watch wore on the wrist, the Ingenieur was transformed into a timepiece of technical innovation and modern elegance.
Over the decades, IWC Schaffhausen has updated the Ingeniuer to suit modern watchmaking standards, updating the movement and dial colours and even using precious materials for the case and bracelet, giving a fresh, contemporary look. The latest release prior to Watches & Wonders 2025 came in December last year, when the brand introduced a blue dial variant in steel, completing the three traditional watchmaking dial colours of black, white and blue for the current Ingenieur collection.
Now, IWC Schaffhausen is introducing three new models to the Ingenieur collection, a first considering they have reduced the case size for those who prefer to wear watches a little slimmer on the wrist! IWC Schaffhausen is presenting the Ingenieur Automatic in 35mm case size, in an 18-carat 5N gold case and bracelet, and two models in stainless steel case and bracelet. These timepeices are the same signature design of the Ingenieur, just sized down for the contemporary watch enthusiast. I must say, when I had it on the wrist, I was drawn to the timepiece a lot more than the current 40mm models!
Case Design
As mentioned previously, IWC Schaffhausen is releasing the new 35mm timepieces in 3 variants: an 18-carat 5N gold
case and bracelet, completed with a gold-coloured dial (Ref. IW324903) and two stainless steel models in either a silver-plated dial (Ref. IW324901), or a black dial (Ref. IW324906).
The 35mm retains all the features of the signature Ingenieur case design by Gérald Genta, including the 5 screws on the circular bezel, along with the integrated bracelet attached via the middle links. Of the three models presented, the 18-carat 5N gold model stood out the best for me. The material finish combined with the dial, out of all the releases for Watches & Wonders 2025 from IWC Schaffhausen, this was the model I wanted to have on my wrist, and that says a lot considering the timepeices that have been unveiled!
IWC Schaffhausen states regarding this new 35mm collection that “Designers and engineers worked hand-in-hand to define, proportion and finish every part and characteristic of the Ingenieur faithfully to a 35-millimetre case size. The result offers the instantly recognisable look and feel of the Ingenieur in a smaller and flatter execution with perfect ergonomics and wearing comfort.”
Dial Design
While IWC Schaffhausen’s Ingenieur features many different hallmark elements to its design, one of the more prominent ones is the “grid” structure/pattern on the dial. What made this model visually appealing in very much a similar way to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with its Tapisserie dial pattern is this Grid structure, giving the timepiece an added visual element that made it more creative on top of the elegantly designed case and bracelet.
This ‘Grid’ structure has been a signature design of the Ingenieur since Gérald Genta’s redesign. The structure also plays with light beautifully, consisting of small lines and squares, as every alternating square is subdued, forming a checkered pattern on the dial! These new 35mm models take up this design, complementing the resized case and bracelet just as well as it’s predecessors.
The date window is also colour-matched to the dial, but that’s not what makes these new models noteworthy. While I said earlier that all the aspects from the 40mm have been retained on these 35mm models, one subtle detail is different. This is the small 3 o’clock hour indices being removed to make way for the date window. IWC Schaffhausen has done this on the 35mm models due to a lack of space to integrate both onto the dial. It’s a move I think should happen on all their Ingenieur models! The date window itself acts as an hour indices, and with it replacing the marker, it provides a more thought-out, refined and balanced dial design!
Movement
IWC Schaffhausen is presenting the new Ingenieur Automatic 35 models with the Calibre 47110 movement. The movement is able to operate at a high-frequency of 4Hz (28,800 VpH) while producing a power reserve of 42 hours. The movement is based on the reliable ETA 2892-A2 ébauche, modified by IWC to meet the brand’s high standards of precision and durability. While not an in-house calibre, IWC’s refinements have ensured improved performance, robustness, and reliability, making it a solid choice for everyday wear and professional use! The timepiece also comes with an open caseback, which shows various finishes, such as circular graining and Geneva stripes, along with a gold-plated oscillating weight.
Initial Thoughts
IWC Schaffhausen’s decision to introduce a 35mm case size for the Ingenieur collection is a bold yet thoughtful move, catering to enthusiasts who appreciate a more refined and wearable timepiece. These new models retain the signature design language that made the Ingenieur an icon while offering improved ergonomics and versatility. Whether in stainless steel or the striking 18-carat 5N gold variant, the Ingenieur Automatic 35mm delivers timeless aesthetics, technical sophistication, and everyday wearability.
On the wrist, these new variants feel as good as it’s predecessors, if not better! Personally, I love the new ergonomic, slimmed-down design. On my smaller-sized wrist (16.5cm), the timepeices sit perfectly well, and I can definitely see these models being a go-to daily watch. Like I said earlier, out of all the new models released by IWC Schaffahausen so far, this is the model I leaned to the most. The signature Ingenieur styling, now slimmed down, makes for the perfect modern update! While the steel would be my go-to choice for everyday wear, the 18-carat 5N gold with the beautiful white dial looks the best in this new lineup! After having it on my wrist, I can confidently say that this scaled-down Ingenieur feels just as compelling, if not more than its larger counterpart!
Reference: Ingenieur Automatic 35 18-Carat 5N Gold (IW324903), Stainless Steel Silver Dial (IW324901), Stainless Steel Black Dial (IW324906).
Specifications
- Case Size: 35mm case diameter x 9.4mm thickness
- Case Material: Brushed and polished in 18-carat 5N gold or stainless steel
- Dial: White or black with a checkerboard pattern
- Water resistance: 100m (10 Bar)
- Movement: Automatic Cal. 47110 movement
- Movement Frequency: 4Hz (28,800 VpH)
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Bracelet: 18k 5N gold or stainless steel integrated bracelet with sequential butterfly folding clasp
