In the IWC Ingenieur Dual Time Titanium Automatic replica watch year of IWC’s involvement with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, Angus Davies discusses the Ingenieur range and provides a “hands-on” review of the Dual Time Titanium.
The profusion of green and yellow flags at Interlagos, populating the grandstands, has now dispersed for another year and the Samba beats have ceased to punctuate the sounds of back-firing engines. As Lewis and Nico removed their Puma branded racing gloves for the last time this season, I am sure a well-earned rest beckons.
The Formula One season for 2013 has sadly come to an end. Like many fans of motorsport, I now face an extended break from my favourite sport.
Whilst some working within the paddock may feel a chronograph is the ideal complication for their role, others will clearly see the benefit in selecting a watch replica equipped with a dual time complication. It was logical, therefore, that IWC chose to include a model equipped with a second time zone within its, motorsport inspired, Ingenieur range of best fake IWC Ingenieur copy watches.
With 19 races on the race calendar, the life of those involved in Formula One is evidently hectic. Confusion must sometimes occur as drivers, engineers and other team members juggle different time zones. In some instances, for example at the Singapore Grand Prix, drivers continue to work to home time and avoid the struggle of adapting to local time. Conversely, a new time zone is adopted and the local time is utilised.
The dial
The titanium-coloured dial can sometimes appear slightly beige in some light, but always handsome and highly legible.
The hour and minute hands, in common with other Ingenieur models, feature luminescent material to their centres, save for the area near the fulcrum of the hands which is open-worked.
A super-slim central seconds hand extends to the flange and has a white tip to enhance interpretation.
Lucidity is a fundamental strength of this watch.
A hand featuring a luminous tip and shaped like an equilateral triangle, conveys the time at home. This hand interfaces with a scale presented on the inner-flange showing the 24-hour display. Moreover, the black hue of the flange indicates the nocturnal hours at home, whereas grey is used to impart the daylight hours. Simplicity is readily conferred.
The local time is imparted with conventional hour and minute hands.
A date aperture completes the ensemble of functions presented.
The case
The case is constructed of titanium and measures 45mm in diameter. It is no shrinking violet but, conversely, it does not shout with unseemly crassness. Personally, I found it very comfortable although I accept that some individuals may struggle to carry off a watch replica of this size.
IWC have successfully blended different materials on the case. The brushed appearance of the titanium does help to soften its appearance and make it a appear a little smaller than it actually is. Moreover, the rubber coated crown and neighbouring crown protectors provide a stylish contradistinction.
The rubber coated treatment is repeated on the five bolt heads adorning the bezel which are reminiscent of the bolts which would typically be found on a racing engine. I have to admit some brands can overplay the symbolism with clumsy details which look unduly contrived but in this instance IWC have hit the mark with accomplished accuracy.
Those who enjoy an active lifestyle will no doubt appreciate the rubber strap and titanium pin buckle.
Whilst some members of the Ingenieur family have an exhibition caseback, this model sadly has a solid caseback. I do feel that a watch replica which aligns itself to the motorsport industry should always provide petrol-heads with a view of the engine powering the functions of the timepiece. However, not everyone will share my opinion.
The movement
Another clever detail is the facility to move the main hour hand in one-hour steps in either direction. It means that the minutes remain unaffected by changes to the local time. This is a particularly useful function when your life necessitates changing the time as you cross different time zones.
The Calibre 37520 is a self-winding movement. It has a frequency of 28,800 vph (4Hz), 27 jewels along with a power-reserve of 42 hours.
Purists who adore the iconic Big Pilot watch, will be pleased to see the hacking seconds feature on this model. It is reminiscent of 1930s pilot’s watches from IWC and an acknowledgement of history and tradition.
Conclusion
The problem with many watches featuring a second time zone is that the display can occasionally appear confusing. Whilst I also appreciate the charms of many world timers, they can sometimes prove even more cluttered than a GMT type model.
The Ingenieur Dual Time provides a legible display with the benefit of showing both home time and local time in a readily understandable format.
Clearly Lewis Hamilton has succumbed to the charms of the IWC Big Pilot, with an artisitic depiction of it adorning his left glove during races. Furthermore, he can often be seen wearing an example of the historical model at post-race press conferences. I can’t blame him, I have been seduced by the watch replica myself.
Whilst Lewis Hamilton may have selected the modern day Grosse Fliegeruhr as his chosen timepiece, I am sure there are many other personnel who frequent the pit lane who will be attracted to the IWC Ingenieur Dual Time Titanium. It provides the perfect travel companion for those whose lives are conducted in two time zones simultaneoudly courtesy of its user-friendly display.
Technical Specification
- Model: IWC Ingenieur Dual Time Titanium
- Ref: IW326403
- Case: Titanium; diameter 45.00mm; height 13.00mm; water resistant to 12 bar (120 metres); sapphire crystal to front and solid caseback.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; central hacking seconds; date; 24-hour display (home time)
- Movement: Calibre 37520, self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4 Hz); 27 jewels; power reserve 42 hours
- Strap: Rubber strap presented on a titanium pin-buckle.
Ingenieur 2013
| Approximately 12 months ago, I recall sitting in an office at IWC Schaffhausen’s HQ, looking at a couple of the forthcoming Ingenieur models, destined for their first public showing at SIHH 2013.
In many respects it was reminiscent of the pre-season launch of a new Formula One car. Whilst it represented the outcome of an organisation’s combined talents in bringing the design team’s vision to life, its success could only be judged against its peers once it had entered the competitive arena. The Ingenieur models of 2013, which can trace their lineage to 1955, have been subject to much innovation. IWC has provided a contemporary range of models, celebrating the signing of a three-year agreement with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team. Indeed, the Swiss watch replica brand became the racing team’s Official Engineering Partner earlier this year and the marriage has seen both companies share much technical know-how. At SIHH 2013, I remember seeing the whole collection and feeling an overwhelming sense that IWC had produced an impressive range of models which were destined for commercial success. The Ingenieur collection of models provides incredible diversity, ranging from the simple grace of the Ingenieur Automatic to the über complicated Ingenieur Constant-Force Tourbillon. The vast array of Ingenieur watches feature different complications, materials and aesthetics. They offer much choice to the would-be purchaser but always retain some common design elements, providing a clear family likeness. The profile of the hands, the case shape and crown design are features which identify the Ingenieur brethren, according a genetic similarity that is readily recognisable. Subsequently, I have found myself writing about various models from the Ingenieur line up, not merely for ESCAPEMENT, but for many other websites and magazines. The facets of each design have provided an abundance of material and I have enjoyed conveying their nuances, enthusiastically tapping out the artilces on my computer keyboard. Many will wonder which model would prove their best time-keeping partner and I have detailed below a selection of models for perusal.
Ingenieur Constant-Force Tourbillon Ref. 590001 – ESCAPEMENT.UK.COM
Ingenieur Automatic Carbon Performance Ref. 322401 – WATCHUSEEK.COM
Ingenieur Automatic AMG Black Series Ceramic Ref.322503 – PROFESSIONALWATCHES.COM
Ingenieur Double Chronograph Titanium Ref.386501 – MONOCHROME.NL
Ingenieur Automatic Ref. 323904 – ESCAPEMENT.UK.COM
Ingenieur Chronograph Silberfpfeil Ref. 378505 – ESCAPEMENT.UK.COM SummaryIt has been a successful season for IWC Ingenieur and for the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team too, coming runner-up in this year’s Formula One Constructer’s Championship. Next year, the regulations for Formula One change. New regulations relating to bodywork and the advent of new V6, smaller-capacity, engines will necessitate much ingenuity on the part of teams. I am sure that whilst some will be enjoying a break from the frenetic pace of the Formula One season, there will be many creative minds busily working on readying next year’s cars.
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At this juncture I don’t know what Christian Knoop, IWC’s Creative Chief, has planned. However, if it shares the same successful exploitation of line and form, next year should prove another interesting season. The same can no doubt be said about the 2014 novelties from IWC replica watch.