IWC Schaffhausen celebrates 50 years of an icon with new models

• The Ingenieur Automatic 40 50th Anniversary and Ingenieur Automatic 35 50th Anniversary celebrate the Gérald Genta designed Ingenieur SL. • Both references feature a brushed silver-plated dial and a stainless steel case and integrated bracelet. The bezel features five functional screws. • The hours-minutes-seconds and date on both references are powered by automatic movements. • Both references are limited to 1,150 pieces each.

Kunaal Khemka

September 16, 2026

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What is the IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Automatic 40 50^th Anniversary and Ingenieur Automatic 35 40th Anniversary?

They celebrate the 50^th anniversary of IWC Schaffhausen’s Ingenieur SL, designed by the renowned Gérald Genta in 1976. The Ingenieur SL, or Reference 1832, succeeded the first generation of the brand’s Ingenieur models.

“50 years have passed since my father created the Ingenieur SL, and it amazes me how his work continues to inspire so many people decades later. I am honoured to see how IWC is preserving his artistic legacy and building on his iconic design with their new Ingenieur.” – Alexia Genta, daughter of Gérald Genta and co-founder of the Gérald Genta Heritage Association.

The Ingenieur SL set the framework for the brand’s modern Ingenieur that was launched in 2023. The structured “grid” pattern dial, five functional screws on the bezel and an integrated bracelet paired with “enhanced ergonomics, wearability and highly detailed finishing” became defining features of the modern Ingenieur.

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The new Ingenieur Automatic 40 50^th Anniversary and Ingenieur Automatic 35 40th Anniversary are inspired by a rare version of a 1970s Ingenieur SL that did not feature the “grid” pattern dial.

What are their dial features?

Both references feature a silver-plated dial with a vertical brushed finish. The hands and applied metal hour-markers are rhodium-plated and coated with Super-LumiNova (except for the seconds hand). The “lightning bolt” symbol found below the Ingenieur name has been replaced by “50”, highlighting the Ingenieur SLs 50^th anniversary.

“With its distinctive and bold design, the Ingenieur SL has shaped both the career of Gérald Genta and the history of IWC Schaffhausen. This integrated bracelet luxury sport watch introduced an aesthetic expression and a purist form that has lost none of its power and magic to this day. It is therefore only natural that we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of this icon with two special limited editions featuring distinctive brushed dials.” – Christian Knoop, Creative Director at IWC Schaffhausen.

What are their case and bracelet features?

The case and integrated bracelet of both references are made from stainless steel.

The Ingenieur Automatic 40 50^th Anniversary’s case measures 40 mm (diameter) * 10 mm (thickness). Dial side features a convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides and a closed caseback. It features a soft-iron inner case to protect it from magnetic fields. It is water resistant to 10 bar or approximately 100 metres. The integrated bracelet is made from stainless steel and is fitted with a butterfly folding clasp. The bracelet is satin-finished and polished.

The Ingenieur Automatic 35 50^th Anniversary’s case measures 35.1 mm * 9.4 mm (thickness). Dial side features a convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides and the caseback features a synthetic sapphire crystal. It is water resistant to 10 bar or approximately 100 metres. The integrated bracelet is made from stainless steel and is fitted with a butterfly folding clasp. The bracelet is satin-finished and polished, with polished middle links.

Are both references powered by different automatic movements?

Yes.

The Ingenieur Automatic 40 50^th Anniversary is powered by IWC-manufactured calibre 32111, an automatic movement that drives the central hours, minutes, seconds with a stop second function and date. It comprises 163 components and 21 jewels, beats at 4 Hz or 28,800 vph and delivers a power reserve of 120 hours or 5 days. It features the brand’s double pawl winding system.

The Ingenieur Automatic 35 50^th Anniversary is powered by calibre 47110, an automatic movement that drives the central hours, minutes, seconds with a stop second function and date. It comprises 151 parts and 23 jewels, beats at a frequency of 4 Hz or 28,800 vph and delivers a power reserve of 42 hours.

What do we think?

Both the Ingenieur Automatic 40 50^th Anniversary and Ingenieur Automatic 35 50^th Anniversary are tempting additions to the IWC’s Ingenieur range. Its minimalistic all-silver aesthetic is a polar opposite to the Ingenieur’s “grid” pattern dial in assorted colours found across the range. Yet it is one that I find extremely appealing. Either reference is perfect for those enthusiasts and collectors seeking a superb versatile integrated bracelet watch that “does not shout” yet one that is soaked in horological history involving the greatest watch designer of our times.

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