The IWC Ingenieur SL “Jumbo” Ref. 1832 was released in the golden era of 1970s luxury steel sports watches. Introduced in 1976 and designed by Gerald Genta, designer of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus. With a 40mm tonneau shaped case, an industrial bezel featuring five recessed screws, and an integrated bracelet, the watch earned its “Jumbo” nickname. Despite its sleek design, only 598 examples were made, making it one of the rarest Genta designed watches today.

The Ingenieur SL housed IWC’s antimagnetic Caliber 8541ES movement, protected by a faraday cage, ideal for engineers and professionals exposed to magnetic fields. It also featured shock resistance, 120 meter water resistance, and a running seconds hand on a black guilloche dial. These innovations made it more rugged than the Royal Oak or Nautilus, though its 12.5mm thickness gave it a chunkier, more tool watch aesthetic compared to its sleeker counterparts.

Despite its initial commercial shortcomings, the Ref. 1832 has evolved into a cult favorite among collectors. The watch’s rarity, Genta lineage, and impressive technical specifications have propelled its market value to between $15,000 and $20,000. Benefiting from the growing appreciation for Gerald Genta’s iconic designs, the IWC ‘Jumbo’ now has a renewed recognition. Contemporary in both aesthetics and engineering, the watch has become more relevant today than during its release in the 1970s, securing its status as a future collectible.