338 - IWC / Intern. Watch Co. - First Generation Ingenieur

IWC / Intern. Watch Co. - First Generation Ingenieur (*) A very attractive, anti-magnetic vintage wristwatch with centre seconds Movm. No. 1313551, Ref. 666 A, Cal. C. 852, Case No. 1365007, Dimensions 36 mm, circa 1953, Origin Schweiz, steel original clasp Case: Steel, screw back, anti-magnetic protection cap. Dial: Silvered, champagne-coloured patina. Movm.: Automatic. The legendary "Ingenieur" was designed by IWC’s technical director Albert Pellaton, who was the brains behind the company’s first automatic movements – the calibres 81 and 85. The functional Ingenieur model was produced for the civil market and available from 1954 on in steel or gold and a variety of styles. The famous signature of the "lightning bolt" passing through the name "Ingenieur" was chosen to emphasise the anti-magnetic properties of the watch, as the soft iron shield safeguards the movement from magnetic fields. One of the earliest functional watches to boast a characteristic, timeless design, the Ingenieur models have become a style icon among the collectors. With its stunning steel case and the slightly patinated dial the Ingenieur is certainly not "just" a timekeeper. The watch is a magnificent combination of beauty and function and is not only highly coveted by the collectors of classic IWC timepieces, but appeals to a much wider spectrum of watch enthusiasts. The sale of the Ingenieur range began around 1954, so the watch on offer here is one of the very first Ingenieur models to have been sold. Case: very good, worn. Dial: very good, slightly oxydized. Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended. Please note that leather straps made from endangered or protected species - such as alligator, crocodile, or lizard - are used in our catalogue or on our website for illustration purposes only. For customs-related reasons, such straps cannot be shipped outside the EU.