IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph 3765-01: 2-in-1 Sports Watch Fun

The IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph 3765-01 is a 45mm titanium monument to machinery. Any watch named “Ingenieur” is making a serious statement about its mechanical credentials, and this split-seconds (rattrapante) chronograph lives up to the boast. With an angular brushed Ti case, rugged natural rubber strap, and a striking black-and-blue dial, this day-date “engineer” with a German accent is a serious sidekick for technophile collectors.

IWC releases its new models in annual themed galas. Each year’s “theme” involves the makeover of a single iconic IWC model line. 2012 was the “Year of the Ingenieur,” and the Double Chronograph was one of the stars.

The hard-edged style of the IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph traces its roots to the 1976 Ingenieur SL Ref. 1832. Designed by Gerald Genta, the Ref. 1832 contributes its prominent screw-fixed bezel and cushion case, baton-index dial, and stepped central lug hood to the modern 3765-01. But IWC’s Ingenieur Double Chronograph owes its sharp creases, oversized scale, and signature complication to the modern era of luxury watch innovation.

A black dial provides the backdrop for a mass of data certain to please any “Ingenieur.” The split-seconds chronograph can be read from two center seconds hands, the chronograph minutes and hours record on vertically aligned sub-dials; civil time can be discerned with ease thanks to prominent hands and applied hour indices. IWC employs the rarely seen black variant of Super LumiNova luminescent paint to keep this Ingenieur on the job after nightfall.

An elegant pin buckle and pliant natural rubber strap provide no-nonsense security and ergonomic excellence on the wrist. While more complex bracelets and clasps often dominate the luxury sports watch segment, the IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph reminds us of every engineer’s technical ideal; Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Besides, the IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph offers tech aplenty to those who crave complication…

Inside the case, IWC’s caliber 79420 automatic rattrapante chronograph caliber provides durability and precision worthy of an aviation instrument. IWC starts with a bulletproof ETA/Valjoux 7750, and then the Schaffhausen split-second specialists customize the ebauche almost beyond recognition.

By the time IWC adds its proprietary rattrapante chronograph architecture, a custom regulator with triovis micro-adjustment system, a unique IWC winding rotor, and IWC-specific fine finish to the Valjoux movement, the caliber effectively has become an in-house product.

See this outstanding IWC Ingenieur Double Chronograph 3765-01 in high-resolution images on www.watchuwant.com. Video and content by Tim Mosso.