All of the Ingenieur anti-magnetic models are special IWC watches, yet still this one stands out. Model reference IW 3521.
HOW DO WE DATE THIS WATCH?
While we have the instruction book and guarantee papers they are not dated with the sale of the watch, but there is an edit date on them for 1992 and 1993. This watch can not be older than 1993, which we also think was the launch year as there is a big article on the Ingenieur featuring this model in a 1993 International Watch Magazine article.
CONDITION
One of the most collectible models in IWC’s long history is the 1978 Ingenieur SL Jumbo, reference 1832. These Gerald Genta designed sports watches will cost around £30,000 currently, and they compete with other Genta steel sports watch designs with integrated bracelets like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (1972) and the Patek Philippe Nautilus (1976). Reference IW3521 we have here carries over the majority of the design elements – the screw down bezel with five holes for the special tool to locate, the same central lug bracelet mount, etc. But the newer watch sharpens up the lines a little and was resized to a smaller case to suit the fashion of the time. As well as scaling back from 40mm to 34mm case width, critically the thickness decreased from 12.5mm to 9mm. Naturally the technical specifications increased too on the later watch – not only is this one a certified chronometer, but the anti magnetic resistance is now at 80,000 a/m, which if you have to think what that is you won’t ever need as it is really for scientists (a normal watch needs to withstand 1,800 a/m to be called anti magnetic). There are no real condition issues with this watch, and it is running well. The 34 jewel movement is branded IWC on the platinum tipped rotor, but was a JLC based design. Despite being behind both a solid case back and an internal anti magnetic cover is it beautifully finished and would make the watchmakers day to see it. The bracelet is quite long and our sister website, SpareLinks.com, may have extra links if required.
This watch will be supplied with the original inner and outer presentation boxes, papers, hangtag and our Certificate of Authenticity. The boxes are a little tatty and marked.
Please see the HD video for more detail. All photos and videos are part of the description and are of the actual watch unless mentioned. We do not photoshop any pictures, and the images are copyright of birthyearwatches.com and should not be used without permission.
SIZE
Width with crown 36.9 mm
Width without crown 34.0 mm
Lug to lug length 38.7 mm
Case Thickness 8.9 mm
Bracelet will fit a maximum wrist size of 196 mm. The bracelet can be sized for you if you give us your wrist size when placing the order.
All sizes are approximate.
Included with this watch is a 3 month guarantee and free delivery to UK addresses. If you live outside the UK we can still deliver to most countries. Please see our Worldwide Shipping information, or Contact Us. Payment can be made by most credit or debit cards, bank transfer or PayPal.
From 1st September 2021 we will be planting a tree for every watch we sell, working with the International Tree Foundation (Est 1922) to make this business positive on carbon. By buying anything pre owned you are effectively reusing what already exists, but this takes it further and makes us feel good.