The Ingenieur is a pure icon in the IWC collection. Its design (not the first one from 1954 but instead the one that we know now, based on 1975 Geral Genta’s idea) is recognizable amongst every other watches and seen as a very desirable sports watch. For Only Watch 2015, the charity auction to fund research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, IWC will offer a one-of-a-kind edition of the Ingenieur that pays tribute to one of its main ambassador: Formula 1 driver Nico Rosberg – even if it looks extremely close to the classical edition, this unique IWC Ingenieur Automatic Edition Tribute to Nico Rosberg has something really technical hidden in its case.

Don’t be fooled by the illustrations. This watch is unique and is far from being a production edition. How come? For sure, its case is shaped like all the other IWC Ingenieur watches, with integrated lugs and a round bezel secured by 5 screws. For sure, its carbon fiber dial has already been seen in other race-oriented editions. For sure, it looks familiar, like a mix between the Carbon Fiber Ceramic edition and the AMG Black Series Ceramic edition. Compared to some other watches that will be auctioned during Only Watch 2015 (like the Unique Bell & Ross of the Unique Patek Philippe), this unique edition by IWC seems to be just an assembly of other existing watches – BUT, it’s not exactly the case.

In fact, this Unique IWC Ingenieur Automatic Edition Tribute to Nico Rosberg for Only Watch 2015 features a world’s first in the watchmaking industry. Its case is made of solid boron carbide, a material used in tank armor or bulletproof vests (just to give you an idea of the resistance of this kind of ceramics…). With a Mohs hardness of about 9.497, it is one of the hardest materials known, just behind diamond (with a Mohs hardness of 10). So except if your dear wife comes with the idea of caressing her diamond ring on one of the faces of your lovely watch, you can be sure that you’ll be able to keep this IWC Ingenieur Automatic safe for a few decades. The use of this material is the main point of interest and of uniqueness of this edition, as the rest remains known: the carbon fiber dial, the shape and colour of the indexes, the shape of the whole case, the inscriptions… every aspects of a classical IWC Ingenieur are there.

This unique IWC Ingenieur Automatic Edition Tribute to Nico Rosberg for Only Watch 2015 features the IWC caliber 80110, an in-house self-winding movement with the famous and efficient Pellaton automatic winding system, fitted with a blackened rotor. it is said to be one of the most rugged and solid movements ever manufactured by IWC, with a specific shock-absorption system and a maximum protection against abrasion. It boasts 44-hour of power reserve when fully wound. This watch comes on a rubber strap with Dinamica inlay accented and green quilted stitching – the same innovative microfibre used in the Mercedes Benz AMG GT interior.

This unique IWC Ingenieur Automatic will be auctioned together with 42 other timepieces during the Only Watch charity auction, taking place in Geneva on 7 November 2015. All funds raised will benefit research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. More details on this page.