94 IWC Rare and Attractive, Skinny Ingenieur SL, Automatic Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, Champagne Red Khanjar Logo Dial, Reference 9225

Estimate: €8,000 –⁠ 16,000

Model: Skinny Ingenieur SL
Reference: 9225
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Yellow Gold
Year: 1980's
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 375
Case N°: 2336095
Movement N°: 2892
Dimensions: 34 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement

The IWC Ingenieur was introduced in 1954-55 under the references 666A and 666AD (the latter being the Date version). It featured the caliber 852 (for the 666A) or caliber 8521 (for the 666AD). As the name can indicate, the Ingenieur was a watch created for scientists, engineers, doctors and, on a larger scale, people working in magnetic environments. Moreover IWC in the early 1970s asked to the famous designer of the Royal Oak and the Nautilus, Gérald Genta, to radically redesign the Ingénieur. In 1976 he helped IWC launch its 3rd generation of the Ingénieur aligning with the brand’s forward-thinking strategy for a complete “steel line” (SL) with a radically different design. In 1981, IWC introduced the quartz “Skinny” Ingenieur SL, Ref. 3305, which had a smaller case but still remained true to Genta’s design. The 34 mm case was just 8.8 mm thick, bringing the watch down to more contemporary sizing. After two years the same case has been used for an automatic caliber under the ref. 3505 for steel and 9225 for the yellow gold like the present lot. The cushion-shaped case features 5 distinct recesses in the bezel which are used to apply the screwing tools and further serve as decoration for the watch. Since the bezel was screwed on to a random position, the recesses on the bezel are aligned slightly differently on every watch, giving each one a somewhat different appearance. The yellow gold, three-piece antimagnetic case provides water resistance up to 6 atm, further featuring its original crown. The champagne guilloché dial pattern is beautiful and all completed by the desirable red Khanjar logo at 9 o’clock. It has become known in the recent years for being depicted on special watches directly commissioned by the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said. When found on a wristwatch, the Khanjar automatically makes them extremely rare and are considered among the world’s most sought-after collectable pieces such as the present lot.