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Did IWC draw the short straw?
Gerald Genta was undoubtedly one of the most visionary watch designers of the 20th Century. His collaborations with European watch brands resulted in many of the most iconic and groundbreaking watch designs. Collaborations resulted in the design of AP's Royal Oak, Cartier's Pasha, PP's Nautilus, and Omega's Constellation to name a few. All of these watch lines went on to become icons that continue to be collector favorites decades later.
For IWC, this is the year of the Ingenieur, yet another line inspired by the original collaborative designs with Gerald Genta. I am sure that these watches will be warmly received, but is this more due to the IWC brand, and the Genta name, or is the Ingenieur truly a groundbreaking and timeless design that will enjoy the success of other Genta designs for decades to come. Sure many of you will defend the design, but for me at least, it fails to stirs any emotions, and remains a very cold design that could have appeared on the roster of let's say a Japanese manufacturer. I will always be an avid follower and fan of the IWC brand, and the Portuguese, Portofino and Pilot ranges evoke the timeless and elegant quality of their watches. But for me, Ingenieur, and the Da Vinci lines leave me stone cold.
I anticipate a strong reaction to this thread, more due to the fact that these forums in general, draw positive critiques more than negative, but I would like to seek your honest opinions.
Dean
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Did IWC draw the short straw?
Gerald Genta was undoubtedly one of the most visionary watch designers of the 20th Century. His collaborations with European watch brands resulted in many of the most iconic and groundbreaking watch designs. Collaborations resulted in the design of AP's R...
about the Ingenieur...
I would have preferred IWC to retain the original design, and not change it to what it is now.. The original Genta design. Much better... ...
5 screws
For me, 8 screws works well on the Royal Oaks, 6 screws on the Hublots, but somehow I can't accept 5 screws .... it could be something to do with my mild OCD.
Some parts work and some don't
but you're right, the Ingenieur is probably one of those that won't fall into everyone's good books when it comes to IWC. I will probably be able to get 5 screws, but 5 drilled holes, I don't really get it, though it isn't a deal breaker for me. The other...
You hit the nail ...
I never considered an Ingenieur because of the non-standard bracelet attachment. Since I only wear watches on leather, this attachment is a no go for me, despite the fact that I love all Gerald Genta designs. Cheers, Nilo
The Ingenieur didn't begin with Genta...
...and the 5-hole screwed bezel was not originally its most obvious characteristic. 1955 Instead it was conventional looking watch with excellent shock and water resistance and phenomenal magnetic resistance. It continued that way through the 1960's and e...
Totally agree. I love all the Ingenieurs BEFORE Genta revisited them.
And especially the Triple 6... Go figure why. ;) Its pure design is unsurpassed, incomparable, and , at this time, it offered something new ( well, not totally new as some Military from 1948 like the JLC Mark 11 offered that feature but for military purpo...
Perhaps you meant "revised"?
Until recently I owned an Ingenieur from the late 70's or early 80's (just a guess) with the Genta design. It was bought new by me and, if you can imagine it - way back then. I liked the way the bracelet with its smooth links became an extension of the en...
Ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby...
as Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell once sang so beautifully. I'm with Steve on the issue of the essence of the iconic IWC Ingeneiurs. ...
Totally agree
Thanks Steve W and Tony C for the great pictures of the Ingenieurs past. Elegant design. I think what IWC are trying to do is create a line of sportier watches to duplicate the runaway success of for example the AP Royal Oak Offshores. I don't think last ...
The vintage versions...
...are as compelling as any watch from any maker (including the Japanese, who make very fine watches IMO). Reference 666 is one of the most desirable wristwatches in history IMO - clean dial, pleasing proportions, excellent legibility. If IWC has lost its...
IWC certainly have some fantastic history ...
... but are designing for a modern and quite different clientele. The original Ingenieur was a masterful piece of sober engineering and the modern pieces don't really appeal to me either. I wonder how far IWC can push these design aesthetics. Alays intere...