First IWC - Ingenieur Automatic Carbon Performance (Yellow)!

Hi Ben,

Thanks and glad you enjoyed the read! I totally agree with the huge premium over a Mission Earth (I originally wanted a ME, which I definitely would not have to be concerned about banging it up cosmetically), but this CF model just spoke to me, and as we all know that means "game over" in the watch world. I could go into my thought buying process at the time of purchase, but that's for another day.

I guess I could answer your "being extra careful' question in two ways. I take great care of it since I know it is on my wrist. In crowded areas I'll either walk with my left hand behind dial-side pressed against my back or hold it in-front of me, same thing when I walk alongside walls. I do this because I really don't want to scratch or gouge the enamel because due to it being so clear, scratches would be so noticeable and well it would just suck.

Quick summary: I am careful with it mainly due to cosmetic reasons.

And even though I am careful with my watch, I still wear it doing every day things because it is an Ingenieur and I have been sold on the fact that it will/should take the bumps. I will wear a different watch when I ride my bike since I could cosmetically bang it up really badly, but I will still go to the gym, walk, eat, and all that stuff with it on. I rarely wear it into the shower now because a section of the strap is fraying, but that's the only reason why. I've worn it into the sauna and then into a hot tub shortly after before too, as I have done with my other watches too, and well it's still keeping the water out.

Quick summary: I want to wear it so that it's involved in my daily life instead of just sitting on a desk (so that I can justify the price haha).

Hope this answers your question Ben - let me know if you have any other questions.

Francis - I love your watch but what I love even more is reading your thoughts, reasoning and facts about it - very interesting.

Have you considered getting the ME rubber strap for your watch? Not sure ot would fit but with that strap you could really wear it for any activity, shower, hot tub or swimming included.

I didn't realize that the bezel changed from carbon fiber to ceramic until you mentioned it, Francis, but I prefer the look of your watch over the current model.
It is an awesome watch with awesome engineering included.
And it's a pleasure to read you comments about it and your enthusiasm about the watch. That's all there should be, just for the love of the watch!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and information, Francis.

Great follow up, Francis. Thank you very much for sharing it with the forum.

Hi Skule,

Thanks for the nice words!

Yes I did consider getting the ME rubber strap - it was something I thought of doing shortly after getting my watch since the original strap showed some creasing and separation (top material from the rubber strap) located where you bend the strap to push the pin into the hole.

Unfortunately the release pin on the ME and CF straps are in different positions (center vs left), otherwise I would've gotten the ME all-rubber strap and not have anything to worry about! Except the ME strap doesn't look as good as the original strap on my watch haha.

Thanks Tilo!

Yeah I was very excited to learn more about the watch especially since I had so many questions and concerns running through my head when I was buying this watch regarding the material and durability for this watch.

After buying it I really couldn't find any reading material about other peoples' experiences wearing a carbon fiber watch so I hope to provide some insight and experiences for anyone that might consider a carbon fiber watch in the future.

Another difference between the 2013 (Yellow & Red models) vs the 2014 (Green model) is from the side instead of putting pattern on they left it blank (is that the right terminology?) so you see all the layers stacked on top of each other instead, which is pretty cool but it doesn't match the overall look of the dial and top-side case. I never noticed it but it was pointed out to me when I visited the Causeway Bay boutique in Hong Kong. Also pretty cool because the ceramic is very polished and while not as heavy as steel, there is still a noticeable weight difference between the all CF case and the CF+ceramic bezel.

My pleasure Marian!

Stopped by Vegas a couple weeks ago and browsed around an IWC AD and I was surprised to see a brand new ME siting in the glass counter.

Here is a comparison shot of the ME (what I originally wanted to get but the boutique didn't have) vs what my wrist was wearing after the proud and tragic opening of my wallet that rainy day 2 years ago!

Perhaps the behemoth ME will also be mine one day!

Picked up a couple of cheap loupe-like lenses that I can attach to my phone for some distorted but decent quality macro shots. My CF Ingenieur was the guinea pig for the test shots of course.