Anyone else take this route?

[Chadridv]

Hey everyone! First time in this neck of the woods so be nice

I have always been a Rolex and Omega guy. I recently acquired my first Panerai and as you can guess I have my heart set on a Royal Oak as my next watch.

For lack of a better term, the Royal Oak 15400st has been sort of a grail for me, except unlike most true "grails", I can own this watch one day. The question is, when? I've recently blown through my toy budget, so no matter what my next watch will likely not arrive in the very near future. Especially since venturing into the $15,000 range for a watch will take me a little while to be ready to commit.

With that said, there are of course other, cheaper watches that I love. There are always Rolexes on my radar, but there is one watch out there that has a similar look to the RO, in fact along with the Royal Oak, it comes from the genius mind of Gérald Genta.

It's the IWC Ingenieur 3239.

In the pre-owned market it can be had for more than $7k savings compared to the RO. The design is beautiful and regardless of what you're thinking, it IS a watch that I have always loved and seriously considered.

At around $4500-5500, It's actually reasonable to say, I could have this watch on my wrist before by the end of the year and maybe even by mid fall.

Here are my questions for you all...

Has anyone owned this Ingenieur Model?

If so how would you say it compares to the RO, in style, quality, design, feel, etc?

Does it seem like a decent idea to get this watch as a potential holdover, but allowing for the possibility that it may actually just scratch this itch permanently?

General thoughts?

Thank you all so much!

[sturgeon123456]

Save up and get the RO. I have handled the IWC and the RO and the additional price is justified IMHO.

If you get the IWC you will still be lusting after the RO and then you are just setting yourself back.

[Hairdude1]

Save for the RO

[Abdullasaif]

Royal oak.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[masterkiller]

It is a great Watch, sure it does not come close the the AP RO but still a great great Watch, ETA based relieble movement, good overall quality feel, can be had at VERY resobly price in the seconh hand market...

I have not had one personally but several friends have had them, som pics..










Here side by side with my old AP RO 15300

[theflywrist]

Not even close to an AP for me.
I would save if that's what you want.

[dysondiver]

only one word

overseas.

[bayerische]

Best IWC.

[PJ S]

The IWC is a nice watch, but it's doubtful that your itch will be fully scratched by it.
That said, buy pre-owned at the right price, and when funds permit the AP to be seriously considered, then you shouldn't have much trouble flipping the IWC, nor lose all that much on it, depending on how well you've managed to look after it cosmetically.

On the other hand, if you want an equivalent of the RO but without a matching price-tag, then as Tom suggested, a Vacheron Constantin Overseas is one you should look at, especially pre-owned.

[Cru Jones]

i would get it because you love it, not because it's similar to another watch you want.

[1st amg]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

i would get it because you love it, not because it's similar to another watch you want.

Exactly, made this boo boo a few times and still ended up getting the "one" I really liked in the first place. Save up, you will not be satisfied until the AP is in your hands. Especially if you start hanging around in these neck of the woods, the AP becomes much more desirable.

[Chadridv]

All awesome advice and info! Thank you all.

[Chadridv]

This is a huge help! Thank you very much.

Originally Posted by masterkiller

It is a great Watch, sure it does not come close the the AP RO but still a great great Watch, ETA based relieble movement, good overall quality feel, can be had at VERY resobly price in the seconh hand market...

I have not had one personally but several friends have had them, som pics..










Here side by side with my old AP RO 15300

[ap1]

I like the idea of preowned vc overseas mentioned above. Bracelet is amazing and the finishing makes it much more the peer than that iwc. You'll still be dreaming of the ap if you get that iwc. A mistake I'm all too familiar with

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

i would get it because you love it, not because it's similar to another watch you want.

This.

My guess is that even if you get the IWC, you'll eventually get the AP. It's just going to cost you more time and money to get there.

[Le Chef]

It will cost you more in the long run. The RO is worth saving for and getting what you really want rather than responding half-heartedly with a substitute.

[B. Doggy]

There is just something about the RO, so I'd say that piece.

[SpunkyQ8]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

It will cost you more in the long run. The RO is worth saving for and getting what you really want rather than responding half-heartedly with a substitute.

x2

[GB-man]

I can't condone place holders

[sirish19]

Originally Posted by GB-man

I can't condone place holders

Totally agree, you'll never be satisfied with an interim. You've got enough in your collection to tide you over so definitely save up for the RO if that is your grail watch and within your reach in the near term.

Good luck.

[NoVaSubowner]

Take the advice of someone who tried place holding with a 3239....... Don't do it. Save for the RO. Would have been cheaper for me to do so.....

[AK797]

I'd save for the RO, next to the RO and Nautilus the IWC is a little plain/uninspired in design for a Genta.

[s14roller]

Do it once, do it right. It'll be cheaper that way.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by NoVaSubowner

Take the advice of someone who tried place holding with a 3239....... Don't do it. Save for the RO. Would have been cheaper for me to do so.....

ok this is the exact advice i needed (not necessarily wanted ;) to hear.

Thank you!

[lapince]

Ok IWC is a good watch company, but clearly not at the level of AP, PP, ALS, VC and a few others, so depends on you, I wouldn't but you say you always liked it, just be sure to buy it right if you do, like this when you're ready for the RO you can sell the IWC with not a huge hit on resale...

[eonflux]

While I do like IWC and many of their models (I used to have a 3706), agree with others that you're better off waiting and saving for the AP.

[hdfb910]

Originally Posted by Le Chef

It will cost you more in the long run. The RO is worth saving for and getting what you really want rather than responding half-heartedly with a substitute.

This...
I would hold for the AP, if you still want the IWC after the AP then get that too. I would swing for the fences first though on what you really want.

[waisoserious]

I have a Ingenieur Chrono and a ROC. While I enjoy them both the Ingenieur could never replace the AP or provide the same amount of enjoyment. I dont think the Ingenieur could make you happy if you already have your heart set on an AP. You will only regret it as time goes by once you start to realize what a large portion of the AP's purchase price the IWC represents.

[PJ S]

I really don't get all this waiting malarky being advised – it's not as if the IWC is an unsaleable commodity, especially bought at the right price.
As I said in another thread, live in the here and now, not for what the future may bring.

So with that said, get it, wear it, enjoy it, and then sell it when the rest of the funds are in place for the RO.
And don't restrict yourself to buying new, go for a pre-owned one, which keeps more money in your pocket and help you achieve your goal sooner.
It's just plain old-fashioned common sense.

[Chadridv]

Well I just want to thank you all for the responses, especially the varying opinions. I think i will likely be holding out for the RO, and hopefully getting it sooner than later!

Next question, currently I have no plan to get rid of my Rolex Sub 116610LVC, but of course the thought has crossed my mind considering the trade or sale value would certainly fast track the Royal Oak.

So with that said, I know the Royal Oak will likely not compare to the sub as far as hard use, but if I were to consider it a replacement to my sub, is it considered to easily withstand the wear of daily use (not abuse), including swimming, showering, traveling, banging door jams and macbook pros, and all the other newb-esque light damage concerns prior to a huge purchase?

Thanks again!