IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph Titanium

[BKKJake]

I don't see this watch being discussed anywhere or ever for sale on the 2nd hand market and I was wondering what everyone's opinions are. Anyone know what these go for in NIB/LNIB/Good condition?

I like the watch and I tried it on while passing through Dubai a few weeks ago. They were having a 20% off sale but I backed out on the purchase. Retail is $12,700 but I'm clueless where this watch stands on the grey / 2nd hand market.

The watch I'm talking about

[JP Chestnut]

I really, really, don't like the layout of the subdials and the day/date on this watch (at a price of 12k). I'm not sure if it's running a modified 7750, but the dial suggests it is. I think there's a reason this watch isn't talked about much - it probably has something to do with the looks (I don't like it), the price (it's fairly expensive if it's running a 7750), the lack of consistency with the Inge history (is this thing even anti-magnetic?), and the size (IWC has gone off the rails with regards to watch size). Expect to lose a lot of money if you buy this and attempt to sell it later.

[kilyung]

That's something I'd expect from Hublot not IWC.

[toph]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

I really, really, don't like the layout of the subdials and the day/date on this watch (at a price of 12k). I'm not sure if it's running a modified 7750, but the dial suggests it is. I think there's a reason this watch isn't talked about much - it probably has something to do with the looks (I don't like it), the price (it's fairly expensive if it's running a 7750), the lack of consistency with the Inge history (is this thing even anti-magnetic?), and the size (IWC has gone off the rails with regards to watch size). Expect to lose a lot of money if you buy this and attempt to sell it later.

It is a modified 7750 iwc 79320 calibre. It does have extensive upgrades , regulation etc etv and remember its a double chrono but still.. Pretty high price. I love iwc watches but when they do a watch abouce 10k I wish they would use there inhouse stuff

[BKKJake]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

Expect to lose a lot of money if you buy this and attempt to sell it later.

That's what I've been thinking. Thanks.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by toph

It is a modified 7750 iwc 79320 calibre. It does have extensive upgrades , regulation etc etv and remember its a double chrono but still.. Pretty high price. I love iwc watches but when they do a watch abouce 10k I wish they would use there inhouse stuff

I think the watch is running the same double chornograph module that IWC has been selling since at least the days of the Ref. 3711 (a much more desirable watch IMO). IWC sells other doulbe chronos which use their in-house movement - this watch seems like a half effort at best.

[craniotes]

Actually, IWC doesn't sell in-house rattrapantes, so if you want a split-second chrono with "IWC" on the hood, this is your movement. It was designed by none other than Richard Habring when he was working for IWC and it represents a rather significant horological milestone IMO, in that it was the first time that we saw a relatively affordable rattrapante produced by a major manufacture, and what's more, one that eschewed the delicate twin column wheel setup that was de rigeur before. In spite of this, it is not a simple or cheap movement to produce.

So, talk as much smack as you want about the styling (FWIW, I've actually seen and handled it in person and I love it), but dissing the movement doesn't do you any favors.

My only complaint? It says "Ingenieur" on the dial but it ain't anti-magnetic (same gripe applies to the Big Ingenieur and the Vintage Collection Ingenieur; just grinds my gears).

Regards,
Adam

PS - Since I have it on rather good authority that these sell at a brisk clip, I can only surmise that the reason you don't see these for sale on the used market is because the folks who buy them keep them.

[ludicree]

Really like the clean watch layout and it's professional tool character.

But is that a rubber strap? Would never buy a 10k+ watch without a real bracelet.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by craniotes

Actually, IWC doesn't sell in-house rattrapantes, so if you want a split-second chrono with "IWC" on the hood, this is your movement. It was designed by none other than Richard Habring when he was working for IWC and it represents a rather significant horological milestone IMO, in that it was the first time that we saw a relatively affordable rattrapante produced by a major manufacture, and what's more, one that eschewed the delicate twin column wheel setup that was de rigeur before. In spite of this, it is not a simple or cheap movement to produce.

So, talk as much smack as you want about the styling (FWIW, I've actually seen and handled it in person and I love it), but dissing the movement doesn't do you any favors.

My only complaint? It says "Ingenieur" on the dial but it ain't anti-magnetic (same gripe applies to the Big Ingenieur and the Vintage Collection Ingenieur; just grinds my gears).

Regards,
Adam

PS - Since I have it on rather good authority that these sell at a brisk clip, I can only surmise that the reason you don't see these for sale on the used market is because the folks who buy them keep them.

Sorry for posting the misinformation Adam. Thank you for the correction. Do you know why IWC hasn't fit this module to their new in-house chrono? I guess I assumed that it would have been designed with enough "similarities" so that porting over the existing modules wouldn't have been an issue (similarly to the design of the in-house movement in the Ref 3227).

Regarding your suggestion that this watch sells well, I'll take your word for it since it seems you have some inside information due to your position as a TZ moderator. Also, can I ask you your feelings on the newer ATs versus the 3538/3548? I seem to recall you posting prolifically about your dislike of the change over - I haven't heard anything like that from you lately.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by ludicree

Really like the clean watch layout and it's professional tool character.

But is that a rubber strap? Would never buy a 10k+ watch without a real bracelet.

Especially an IWC - their bracelets are really top shelf.

[craniotes]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

Sorry for posting the misinformation Adam. Thank you for the correction. Do you know why IWC hasn't fit this module to their new in-house chrono? I guess I assumed that it would have been designed with enough "similarities" so that porting over the existing modules wouldn't have been an issue (similarly to the design of the in-house movement in the Ref 3227).

Regarding your suggestion that this watch sells well, I'll take your word for it since it seems you have some inside information due to your position as a TZ moderator. Also, can I ask you your feelings on the newer ATs versus the 3538/3548? I seem to recall you posting prolifically about your dislike of the change over - I haven't heard anything like that from you lately.

I can only imagine that the reason they haven't adapted their existing rattrapante mechanism to their new in-house chrono movement is because of the fundamental differences in architecture between the lever-escapement 7750 and the column wheel design adopted by the c.89000. These are fundamentally different movements at heart, so if IWC does offer a split-second option down the road, it will probably have been designed from the ground up.

As for the new ref. 3568 series Aquatimers, I have warmed up to them considerably -- in particular the white dial version and the Galapagos chrono -- but I'd take a 3538/48 over one any day of the week, including Sunday. While I know that the internal bezel from the previous generation AT isn't considered ideal for many divers who actually, you know, dive with their watches, the engineering solution that IWC came up with for their crown-based mechanism has yet to be equaled by any other company (yes, that goes for AP and their ROO Diver, of which I own an example). Manipulating it was a joy, plain and simple. When folks lament that IWC has lost their roots as a company that placed engineering over style, this is what I think back to; only IWC could've designed that bezel mechanism.

Regards,
Adam

[sam florio]

i like the 42mm version a lot and have been doing some prelim. research. Value doesn't hold up very well...expect to pay half on resale market.... probably worth that, but certainly not 10+K

[Lt.Arclight]

Grey market is around 40% off retail. I have a SS Doppelchronograph on a SS bracelet. I bought it new at 45% retail. valjoux 7750 nicely decorated with their in-house rattrapante mechanism. Which as CRANIOTES very accurately described. One annoying(to some) characteristic is the one way winding rotor of the 7750. Many complain that they feel it spinning about. I have serviced scores of 7750's but that one has to go to IWC, the rattrapante mechanism is a marvel of microengineering but needs factory support during service due to its very delicate design. You can buy a "flyback" style chrono based on a Piquet column wheel movement for the same money. Blancpain for instance. IWC's do NOT SELL WELL on the used market.Just my 2c

Great watch-but not for 20% off retail.

[slcbbrown]

I like the watch but the price really worries me. If money is no object for you, buy it.