I’ve always had a soft spot for the Ingenieur. There’s something about its unapologetic structure – the visible screws, the industrial bezel, the geometric grid of the dial– that feels both deeply considered and effortlessly cool. But for years, I’ve waited (somewhat impatiently) for IWC to offer a size more suitable for every day wear (at least for my small wrist). So, when news came that a 35mm model was finally joining the line-up, I felt the kind of joy only watch lovers and design romantics truly understand. This year at Watches and Wonders, IWC Schaffhausen delivers not just one, but several new interpretations of the Ingenieur – each one refining Gérald Genta’s original blueprint for the here and now. Ceramic, gold, steel. Compact, bold, eternal. It’s the Ingenieur I’ve been waiting for – and maybe, the one you have too.

Meet the Ingenieur Automatic 35: A case for smaller proportions

If you’ve ever wished for the clean-cut silhouette of a luxury sports watch without the bulk, the Ingenieur Automatic 35 might be your answer. Toned down to a neat 35mm, this newest chapter pays homage to Gérald Genta’s iconic design codes—those recognisable five bezel screws, the angular integrated bracelet, and a grid-textured dial – while offering a more wearable, flatter alternative.

In stainless steel, it’s effortless and enduring (choose from black or silver dials). In 18-carat 5N gold, it’s simply luminous – its tone-on-tone gold dial and bracelet catch the light with every wrist flick, whispering quiet luxury.

The bracelet hugs the wrist thanks to reworked proportions and smoothed finishes. Think satin-brushed H-links bordered by polished edges, a tactile dance of textures. Each dial is gridded and intricate, with appliqué indices set by hand, and lume-filled hands to carry you from day to night with clarity and style.

Black Tie, but make it ceramic

In a watch world obsessed with materials, IWC’s all-ceramic Ingenieur Automatic 42 might be the most exciting innovation to emerge this year. Crafted from black zirconium oxide ceramic – a material known for its featherlight feel, insane durability, and resistance to scratches – this model is a masterclass in modern watchmaking.

For the first time, the integrated bracelet silhouette meets a pure ceramic build. And it’s not just a style statement. The three-part case construction uses a titanium ring inside for structure and water resistance (up to 10 bar), while the outer casing maintains the sleek, monolithic presence we expect from a Genta-descended piece.

The dial, in true Ingenieur fashion, is black-on-black with the signature Grid structure and Super-LumiNova® accents. Turn it over, and through a tinted sapphire case back you’ll spot the 82110 calibre, equipped with IWC’s iconic Pellaton winding system – and yes, even those parts are ceramic.

Gold standard: The Ingenieur Automatic 40 in 5N Gold

If you’ve been waiting for a moment of indulgence, it’s arrived. Dressed head-to-toe in 18-carat gold, the new Ingenieur Automatic 40 pairs Genta’s bold design with a luxurious twist. The case, bracelet, bezel and even the crown are crafted from warm-toned 5N gold, polished and brushed to perfection.

The black Grid dial gives the gold a sense of grounded cool, while solid gold indices and hands glow with Super-LumiNova®. Flip it over and admire the 32111 calibre, its Geneva stripes and gold-plated rotor visible through sapphire glass. With 120 hours of power reserve, it’s built to go the distance, but let’s be honest – you’ll be wearing it just to see how it catches the light.

A complication for collectors: The Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41

For those who love their timepieces with a side of complexity, IWC presents its first perpetual calendar Ingenieur in stainless steel. Housed in a 41mm case and powered by the 82600 calibre, this one’s all about balance – between function and form, modernity and tradition.

The calendar reads day, date, month and moon phase, all through three counters set against a blue Grid dial. It’s powered by a single crown (no fiddly pushers here), and the moon phase? So precise, it only shifts by a day every 577.5 years.

It’s technical, yes. But it’s also deeply beautiful. Which, really, is the Ingenieur's entire ethos.