IWC has recently unveiled a new rattrapante chronograph.
The Ingenieur Double Chronograph Titanium, which is also called a split-seconds chronograph; a rattrapante uses an additional central seconds hand that allows the wearer to simultaneously measure two events. In terms of design it seems IWC are looking to compete with the likes of Audemars Piguet and Hublot Big Bang.
The case of the new IWC Ingenieur is made of titanium which is light, durable, has ultra low conductivity and will not cause any skin allergies. The case measures 45 mm in diameter and is 16 mm thick. Chunky black DLC coated screws secure the bezel to the case while the pushers and crown are coated in vulcanised black rubber.
Inside the titanium case beats the trusted 79230 calibre with 29 jewels creating a superb self-winding mechanical movement with a 44 hour power reserve.
To help distinguish the displays, blue was used for the first time, which suits the clean and contemporary timepiece perfectly. The subdials for hours, minutes and the small (hacking) seconds are recessed into the dial, while the luminescent material in the interstices of the rhodium-plated hands appears black.
Split-seconds-hand mechanism
A split-seconds-hand or double chronograph means there is a technical extension to the chronograph mechanism, allowing measurement of two different times in a single one-minute period. Put simply, if the chronograph is switched on by one push of the button, two central stopwatch hands start moving. As both hands are exactly superimposed, the second chronograph hand is not immediately visible. This retains the option of a repeat time measurement in a one-minute period.
By pressing the third push-button at “10 o’clock” with the chronograph switched on, the chronograph hand on top stays still, while the bottom one runs on until held by pressing the ordinary start/stop button at “2 o’clock”. This method allows measurement of two different short periods of time.
Specifications
Features
Mechanical chronograph movement, self- winding, split-seconds-hand mechanism for intermediate timing, date and day display, small hacking seconds, black rubber-coated push-buttons and crown protection
Movement
- Calibre: 79230
- Frequency: 28,800 A/h / 4 Hz
- Jewels: 29
- Power reserve: 44h
- Winding: self-winding
Watch
- Materials: case and pin buckle in titanium and rubber, black dial with white and blue hands and markers, black rubber strap
- Glass: sapphire, anti-reflective coating on both sides
- Back: titanium, screw-in
- Crown: screw-in
- Water-resistant: 12 bar
- Diameter: 45mm
- Case height: 16mm
Hands on Ingenieur picture courtesy of IWC Connoisseur Dimitris Psaromialos
