

And the piece de resistance award in the IWC Ingenieur family this
year goes to this spectacular Ingenieur Constant-Force Tourbillon. The
$290,000 piece features a 46mm integrated platinum and ceramic case.
The IWC caliber 94800 features a patented constant-force mechanism,
integrated in a tourbillon. The mechanism provides for extremely
accurate ratekeeping over at least 48 hours, according to IWC. It is a
double barrel movement with 96 hour power reserve when fully wound; the
configuration is surely needed to power the constant-force tourbillon.
There is also a moon phase module (upper right quadrant of dial), with
finely detailed moons and showing the 3 of days until the next full
moon. In the lower right quadrant is the power reserve display. This
is no doubt a fine piece, though I do find the interplay of platinum and
ceramic in the case to be a bit unusual looking. High-res and more,
below.
IWC Ingenieur Constant-Force Tourbillon (IW5900)
Price: $290,000
46mm platinum and ceramic case,
hand-wound IWC Caliber 94800 (96 hrs power reserve, perpetual moon phase
display, double moon for No/So hemisphere, countdown display to next
full moon, constant-force tourbillon)



Turning to the caseback…


IWC Constant-Force Tourbillon

For the new Ingenieur Constant-Force Tourbillon, IWChas integrated a
patented constant-force mechanism into a tourbillon. It ensures that the
amplitude of the balance – and thus the watch’s accuracy – remain
absolutely constant, initially by disconnecting the escapement from the
direct flow of energy generated by the gear train. The energy is stored
temporarily in the balance spring from where it is transferred to the
escape wheel. In the process, the balance spring is put under tension
once a second and the seconds hand in the tourbillon advances in
one-second jumps. This ensures an extremely regular and precise rate
over a period of at least 48 hours. After approximately two days, the
movement switches from constant-force mode to normal mode, as can be
seen from the second hand, which now starts to advance at intervals of
one-fifth of a second.
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