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MikeMan2727
·I have been collecting vintage watches exclusively for the last 8 years or so. My last modern purchase was an Omega Seamaster 2254.50, which I still wear regularly. Most modern offerings have not impressed me enough to make a purchase. Recently, however, I have been losing interest in vintage watches and have sold some watches from my collection.
For those who have seen my posts before, you know that I have a focused interest in anti-magnetic watches. I have owned and enjoyed vintage IWC 666A, 666AD, and 866AD as well as Omega Railmaster. These watches are all smaller than 40mm and offer a thin profile on the wrist.
Modern iterations of the Ingenieur have all been quite thick and large on the wrist. For example, the IW3227 Ingenieur case is approximately 43mm wide and 15mm thick. I have a 6.75" wrist and these watches would never work on me.
While searching eBay last week, an Ingenieur reference came up that I had not seen before - IW3239. This reference was first introduced in 2013 and offered in 3 dial combinations - black, white with silver markers, white with gold markers. There was also a special Laureus Sport for Good Foundation limited edition introduced in 2015. This watch came with a blue dial and red second hand. The total release was limited to 1500 pieces. When I saw this watch, I fell in love with it.
Looking at previous eBay listings and Watchrecon, the Laureus edition does not come up too often. Luckily there was an active posting and the watch was with me two days later.
The dial is a matte blue with slightly recessed inner track and highly polished applied markers. A small amount of lume is present in the markers and hands. With indoor lighting, the dial looks like a dark navy blue. In direct light, the dial is a brighter, almost electric blue.
The case is 40mm wide and approximately 42-43mm with crown. The watch is quite thin at 10mm and wears very close to the wrist. The case style pays homage to the Genta-designed "jumbo" IWC reference 1832 with well-executed brushed and polished surfaces. The majority of the case is brushed with thin polished chamfers that reflect light beautifully.
Like a typical Genta watch, the bracelet is integrated and flows nicely from the case. This is a watch that will look appropriate on both small and large wrists due to the tapering. Polished accents are present along the sides of the bracelet as well as the center links. Sizing is easy with a unique push button and pin system.
The movement is the IWC 30110, a modified ETA2892-A2, which allows for a thinner case. The prior reference 3227 had an IWC in house movement but resulted in a 15mm thick case. I don't mind the outsourced movement - it is accurate, easy to service, and results in a thinner more attractive watch.
Importantly for me, this watch stays true to its roots and remains anti-magetic with soft iron cage. The water resistance is also very good at 120m. Overall, it is a perfect daily modern watch for me. With sky-high prices of the Patek Nautilus and AP RO, this reference also offers Genta styling at a palatable price.
For those who have seen my posts before, you know that I have a focused interest in anti-magnetic watches. I have owned and enjoyed vintage IWC 666A, 666AD, and 866AD as well as Omega Railmaster. These watches are all smaller than 40mm and offer a thin profile on the wrist.
Modern iterations of the Ingenieur have all been quite thick and large on the wrist. For example, the IW3227 Ingenieur case is approximately 43mm wide and 15mm thick. I have a 6.75" wrist and these watches would never work on me.
While searching eBay last week, an Ingenieur reference came up that I had not seen before - IW3239. This reference was first introduced in 2013 and offered in 3 dial combinations - black, white with silver markers, white with gold markers. There was also a special Laureus Sport for Good Foundation limited edition introduced in 2015. This watch came with a blue dial and red second hand. The total release was limited to 1500 pieces. When I saw this watch, I fell in love with it.
Looking at previous eBay listings and Watchrecon, the Laureus edition does not come up too often. Luckily there was an active posting and the watch was with me two days later.
The dial is a matte blue with slightly recessed inner track and highly polished applied markers. A small amount of lume is present in the markers and hands. With indoor lighting, the dial looks like a dark navy blue. In direct light, the dial is a brighter, almost electric blue.
The case is 40mm wide and approximately 42-43mm with crown. The watch is quite thin at 10mm and wears very close to the wrist. The case style pays homage to the Genta-designed "jumbo" IWC reference 1832 with well-executed brushed and polished surfaces. The majority of the case is brushed with thin polished chamfers that reflect light beautifully.
Like a typical Genta watch, the bracelet is integrated and flows nicely from the case. This is a watch that will look appropriate on both small and large wrists due to the tapering. Polished accents are present along the sides of the bracelet as well as the center links. Sizing is easy with a unique push button and pin system.
The movement is the IWC 30110, a modified ETA2892-A2, which allows for a thinner case. The prior reference 3227 had an IWC in house movement but resulted in a 15mm thick case. I don't mind the outsourced movement - it is accurate, easy to service, and results in a thinner more attractive watch.
Importantly for me, this watch stays true to its roots and remains anti-magetic with soft iron cage. The water resistance is also very good at 120m. Overall, it is a perfect daily modern watch for me. With sky-high prices of the Patek Nautilus and AP RO, this reference also offers Genta styling at a palatable price.
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