IWC Ingenieur Owner Review : Efficient, chic and timeless

Invest wisely! That's what guided my choice in acquiring this WC Ingenieur Midsize IW451501. During my travels, I had often been captivated by the new 40mm Ingenieur ref. IW328902, a jewel of horological engineering with a design by Gérald Genta. But upon discovering the list price—over €12,000—reason quickly prevailed. I then decided to delve into the history of the Ingenieur line, one of IWC's most fascinating, to understand its evolution. It was during my research that I stumbled, almost by chance, upon a 34mm Ingenieur Midsize IW451501, in near-mint condition, offered on Chrono24 at a much more reasonable price. And that was it—love at first sight. A timeless design, a silver dial whose reflections shift with the light, and a discreet elegance reminiscent of the Rolex Explorer, particularly with its Arabic numerals at 12 and 6 o'clock. Solid, refined, and powered by a reliable automatic movement, the IW451501 ticks all the boxes for a thoughtful and passionate purchase. And that's the strength of this model: even with a watch from 2008, you have the feeling of wearing the latest collection. The design has aged so well that it still rivals the most recent models—proof that a beautiful aesthetic balance never goes out of style. With its modest diameter, it sits naturally on a small wrist or even a woman's wrist. A true dress watch par excellence, both understated and technically advanced. Its only drawback? The steel bracelet without micro-adjustments, a detail that becomes noticeable in the summer when the wrist swells in the heat—a minor inconvenience shared with the brand-new collection. The Ingenieur IW451501 is therefore, in my opinion, the best entry point into the world of IWC!