Introducing: IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Automatic 35 Pool Blue — Diving Into Summer

IWC Schaffhausen invites us to dive into its world for the summer season with the new IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Automatic 35 Pool Blue.

What we know

IWC Schaffhausen is literally diving into the summer season, as we mentioned in our introduction, with a new version of the Ingenieur Automatic 35, featuring an eye-catching dial in a new shade called Pool. Refreshing and unmistakably aquatic, this new colour casts the Ingenieur’s signature clean architecture in a new light. The model dates back to 1976, when legendary Geneva designer Gérald Genta created it under the name Ingenieur SL.

The 35-millimetre stainless steel case and integrated bracelet ensure a high level of wearing comfort, while an elaborate combination of satin-finished and polished surfaces plays beautifully with light at any hour of the day — or night. This new shade of blue, not unlike Tiffany green in its distinctiveness, also brings to mind the nocturnal blue of the stunning Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Ceralume (Ref. IW505801).

The Ingenieur Automatic 35 Pool Blue (Ref. IW324902) is defined by its 35-millimetre case — a size increasingly favoured in the world of men’s watches — and its integrated bracelet, both crafted in robust, durable stainless steel while remaining slim at 9.4 mm thick.

Its centrepiece, naturally, is the dial, rendered in this fresh new shade called Pool. True to the spirit of the Ingenieur collection, the dial carries the signature Grid pattern, made up of small lines and squares that give it striking visual depth. Rhodium-plated hands and applied indices filled with Super-LumiNova offer elegant contrast and ensure easy legibility in low-light conditions.

The distinctive bezel, another defining design code of the Ingenieur, is secured to the case ring by five functional screws. The bracelet, which attaches via the centre links, improves ergonomics and offers a supple, comfortable fit on the wrist. The “Probus Scafusia” engraving on the crown underlines IWC’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and manufacturing excellence.

“Our new Pool colour is a fresh, radiant aquatic shade that feels made for summer – and it brings a surprising and vibrant new expression to the Ingenieur. The dial captures light in a beautiful way, and it perfectly complements the clean lines and the refined
proportions of the Genta-inspired integrated bracelet design,” explains Christian Knoop, Creative Director at IWC Schaffhausen.

If we saw correctly — and this still needs confirming — actor Andrew Garfield was spotted wearing this brand-new timepiece during his appearance at Wimbledon this past weekend, dressed in a Ralph Lauren ensemble in an equally aquatic shade of blue.

As for pricing, we expect something in the range of $13,000 to $16,000 CAD.

The IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur Automatic 35 Pool Blue, the 6th model in the Ingenieur 35 mm collection

At Watches and Wonders in Geneva, IWC introduced the Ingenieur Automatic 35 (Ref. IW324911) with a diamond-set 18-karat 5N gold bezel, along with the Ingenieur Automatic 35 (Ref. IW324907) featuring a deep blue dial. Together with the Pool Blue edition, these three models round out a collection that originally comprised the stainless steel Ingenieur Automatic 35 with a silver-plated dial (Ref. IW324901) and a black dial (Ref. IW324906), as well as an edition crafted entirely in 18-karat 5N gold with a gold-coloured dial (Ref. IW324903).

What Gentologie thinks

We love this addition of colour to the IWC lineup. While the brand’s collaborations with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team and George Russell have leaned toward blues and greens, this new shade from the Schaffhausen-based house feels like the perfect blend of the two. It invites us to get away and unwind, just as most of you head into vacation season — perhaps with an IWC on your wrist.

As we mentioned in our article on how to furnish your home like a gentleman, make room for colour — sparingly, elegantly, and always with good taste.