Using the same Caliber 79230 as the gorgeous Pilot Double Chronograph Edition TOP GUN, the new IWC Ingenieur Titanium Doppel-Chronograph (Ref. 3765) is the first split-seconds (also known as Rattrapante) chronograph in the legendary “technocratic” series. Radiating the aura of Teutonic heavy-weight charisma, the watch is surprisingly light thanks to the ultra-light titanium alloy that was used to make its oversized exterior shell.
Compared to the rest of the family, the new Doppel-Chronograph comes in the same 46 mm case but features an even bolder design thanks to the five DLC-coated screws that attach its fixed bezel to the titanium case and a set of black rubber controls on its sides.
Although not as thick as the ceramic Edition Top Gun, the watch still measures around 16 millimeters in height being only 1.8 millimeters thinner than the Pilot with the same functionality.
More than that, to keep the timepiece’s thickness at bay, the Swiss watchmakers had to remove one signature part of the Ingenieur series that you can’t imagine the watch without. Yes, the legendary soft-iron inner case that provided the numerous generations of “engineers” with unrivalled antimagnetic features is, sadly, gone.
A part of the blame here goes to the aforementioned IWC Caliber 79230 automatic movement. Thanks to IWC’s proprietary split-seconds module, the caliber grew in size from a mere 7.9 mm to more prominent 9.5 millimeters.
Add here a pair of thick sapphire crystals with an anti-reflective coating as well as a rugged-looking bezel and here you have your hamburger of a watch.
Well, giving the Ref. 3765 its due, I must admit that the case looks well-proportioned and if you spend a great deal of your time in a gym or are just big-boned, it must look absolutely fantastic on your wrist. But try it before ordering one!
As you may have already noted, there are not the usual two, but whole three black rubber push-pieces on the timekeeper’s sides.
The pair at 2 and 4 o’clock do their usual duty of respectively starting/stopping as well as resetting the chronograph.
The pusher at 10 o’clock operates the “rattrapante” functionality: push it once and the first (there are two of them: one normal and one with a blue tip) chronograph seconds hand will stop, while the other will keep counting seconds.
The function may be useful if you plan to measure two separate events that start at the same time.
According to the Swiss watchmaker’s official press release, the watch will go on sale at an MSRP of $12,700. Impressive.
See also: IWC Ingenieur Edition Zinedine Zidane Limited Edition (Ref. IW500508)
Photos: IWC
IWC Ingenieur Titanium Doppel-Chronograph (Ref. 3765) specification
Price: $12,700 (MSRP)
Movement: Automatic, IWC Caliber 79230, based on ETA Valjoux 7750, 29 jewels, 28,800 vph, Swiss Made
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, day of the week, split-seconds chronograph
Power reserve: 44 hours
Case and Bezel: Titanium, satin-finished
Crown: Rubber-coated
Case shape: Round, with integrated lugs
Size: 45.00 mm
Lug width: 20 mm
Case height: 16.00 mm
Dial: Black
Hour markers: Luminous, applied
Hands: Luminous, skeletonized
Water resistance: 120 meters
Strap: Black rubber band with titanium pin buckle
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Sapphire
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Bought my first mechanical watch in 1986 and it took me ten more years to realize that I have a problem: at some point in time watches became my passion. Well, it could be worse.