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IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 vs IWC Pilot's IW501201

The Ingenieur Automatic 40 is the everyday choice: a 40 mm integrated-bracelet sports watch in solid 5N gold, 10.4 mm thick, with 120 hours of power reserve and 100 m water resistance. The Pilot's IW501201 is a big statement piece: 46.2 mm wide, 14.3 mm thick, on rubber, with a seven-day Pellaton movement and a date and power-reserve display. Owners praise the Ingenieur's bracelet and slim profile; the Pilot's wins on movement and presence but wears large and is not a swim watch.

  • Choose the Ingenieur Automatic 40 if you want one gold watch that works with a suit and a t-shirt, sits flat under a cuff and can handle daily wear and water.
  • Choose the Pilot's IW501201 if you want a large gold pilot's watch with a long-reserve in-house movement and a date, and you like rubber straps.

Prices

  • IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40: $39,868.00 at Chrono24.com (last seen Nov 10)
  • IWC Pilot's IW501201: $38,855.00 at NYC Watches & Diamonds (last seen Nov 13)
  • Difference: the IWC Pilot's IW501201 is $1,013.00 cheaper than the IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 at the latest prices (Nov 10 and Nov 13)
IWC
IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 (IW328702)

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 (IW328702)

$39,868.00at Chrono24.comChecked Nov 10
See all prices and details
Visit Chrono24.com
Pros
  • Slim 10.4 mm case slips under a shirt cuff
  • Solid gold integrated bracelet with folding clasp
  • 120-hour power reserve covers a long weekend off the wrist
  • 100 m water resistance for daily wear
  • Sapphire crystal with antireflective coating on both sides
Cons
  • No power-reserve display
  • Gold bracelet shows scratches and is heavy
  • Date-only complication
  • Less wrist presence than a large pilot's watch
IWC
IWC Pilot's - Yellow Gold - 46.2 MM - Black Dial - IW501201

IWC Pilot's IW501201

IWC Pilot's - Yellow Gold - 46.2 MM - Black Dial - IW501201

$38,855.00at NYC Watches & DiamondsChecked Nov 13
See all prices and details
Visit NYC Watches & Diamonds
Pros
  • Seven-day power reserve with Pellaton winding
  • Power-reserve display and date
  • Harder Armor Gold alloy resists scratches better
  • Strong pilot's-watch identity and legibility
  • Comes as an unworn complete set with box and papers
Cons
  • 46.2 mm by 14.3 mm is too big for many wrists
  • Rubber strap is less formal than a gold bracelet
  • No meaningful water-resistance rating for swimming
  • Thick case catches on cuffs

What separates them

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40IWC Pilot's IW501201
Case size and thickness40 mm wide, 10.4 mm thick46.2 mm wide, 14.3 mm thick
Bracelet or strapSolid 18 ct 5N gold integrated bracelet with butterfly claspBlack rubber strap with microfibre inlay
Movement and power reserveCalibre 32111, 120 hours, 4 HzCalibre 52010 with Pellaton winding, seven days
FunctionsHours, minutes, seconds, dateHours, minutes, small seconds, date, power-reserve display
Water resistance10 bar (100 m)Not rated for swimming in the listed specs
Wearing profileSlim, integrated, fits under a cuffTall and wide, stands off the wrist
Gold alloy18 ct 5N gold18 ct Armor Gold, a harder alloy
StyleGenta-style sports watch with grid dialPilot's watch with embossed black dial

Price history

  • IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40: lowest $39,868.00 on Nov 10 at Chrono24.com.

Prices at every store

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40

  • Chrono24.comNew

    In stock

    $39,868.00Checked Nov 10
    Visit Chrono24.com
  • ArtimeusNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $51,510.00Checked Nov 10
    Visit Artimeus
  • JaztimeNew

    Availability unknown

    $42,565.00Checked Nov 10
    Visit Jaztime
  • WatchXNYCNew

    Availability unknown

    $50,040.00Checked Nov 10
    Visit WatchXNYC
All 14 stores and price history →

IWC Pilot's IW501201

  • NYC Watches & DiamondsNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $38,855.00Checked Nov 13
    Visit NYC Watches & Diamonds
Prices and history →

Specs compared

SpecIWC Ingenieur Automatic 40IWC Pilot's IW501201
Case diameter40 mm46.2mm
Case material18-carat 5N gold18-carat Armor Gold
Dial colorblackEmbossed black
MovementIWC-manufactured calibre 32111IWC-manufactured Calibre 52010
Power reserve120 hSeven days
Case height10.4 mm—
Bracelet material18-carat 5N gold—
Clasp typebutterfly folding clasp—
GlassSapphire, convex, antireflective coating on bot…—
Water resistance10 bar—
Frequency28,800 vph / 4 Hz—
Jewels21—
Show all 18 specsShow fewer specs
SpecIWC Ingenieur Automatic 40IWC Pilot's IW501201
Case thickness—14.3mm
Winding—Automatic Pellaton system
Functions—Hours, minutes, small seconds, date and power-r…
Strap—Black rubber with microfibre inlay
Caseback—Tinted sapphire glass with Mercedes-Benz star
Crown material—18-carat Armor Gold®

What reviewers say

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40

The Ingenieur Automatic 40 is generally well received for its finishing, slim case and long power reserve. Owners of the gold version note the weight and the care a solid-gold bracelet demands.

What people mention
  • WeightMixedOwners say the solid gold case and bracelet feel substantial, which some like and others find heavy.
  • FinishPraisedThe case and bracelet finishing is described as sharp and well executed.
  • ScratchesCriticisedGold surfaces are said to pick up scratches and marks with regular wear.
  • Power reservePraisedThe 120-hour reserve is noted as generous for an automatic sports watch.

Questions and answers

Which is better for daily wear?
The Ingenieur. It is 4 mm narrower and nearly 4 mm thinner, sits flat under a cuff, and has 100 m water resistance. The Pilot's is a weekend and statement watch.
Which has the better movement?
The Pilot's calibre 52010 is the more elaborate movement, with Pellaton winding, a seven-day reserve and a power-reserve display. The Ingenieur's 32111 is simpler but still offers 120 hours.
Which lasts longer?
Both are solid gold IWC watches built to last decades with servicing. Armor Gold is the harder alloy, so the Pilot's case resists scratches better; the Ingenieur's gold bracelet will show wear sooner.
Is the Pilot's too big for a small wrist?
At 46.2 mm wide and 14.3 mm thick it overhangs most wrists under about 7 inches. Try it on before buying. The 40 mm Ingenieur fits far more people.
Can I swim with either?
Swim with the Ingenieur, rated to 10 bar. The Pilot's listed specs give no water-resistance rating, so keep it out of water.
Is the Ingenieur worth stepping up to over the Pilot's?
They serve different purposes, so it is not a step up but a step across. Pick the Ingenieur for a slim gold bracelet watch you wear constantly; pick the Pilot's for a large pilot's watch with a long-reserve movement.

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More comparisons

  • IWC Big Pilot's Watch 43 Yellow Gold vs IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 (IW328702)
  • IWC Big Pilot's Watch 43 Yellow Gold vs IWC Pilot's - Yellow Gold - 46.2 MM - Black Dial - IW501201