Graduation gift for a future Engineer

Dear Forum members,

I am currently a few months away from becoming a graduate engineer. My father has announced that he would grace me with an IWC Ingenieur as a graduation gift.

I've narrowed down the selecto to the following two:
- Ingenieur Mission Earth Automatic (stainless steel bracelet)
- Big Ingenieur 7 day power reserve (stainless steel bracelet)

Now have the trouble of choosinng between theese two beautiful watches, and I'd like to hear some educated opinions about the decision

--> the Mission Earth as the iconic representative of the engineering profession due to its magnetic resistance and shock absorbance?
Or
--> the Big Ingenieur as an epic watchmaking achievement and sheer beauty of the calibre 50000 family

Rugged engineering or delicate watchmaking?

Well, if it was me I would get the Big Ingy. Only because it is a unique piece and has the seven day power reserve and you'll get great joy looking at the rotor and movement.
If you are a purist, then you have to go the other way.

You might still pick up the titanium auto and titanium chronograph both available with matching bracelet. But other than that from your selection I would agree with Alan, but with a display back it's AM capability is poor. It's really down to what pulls your heart strings. Congratulations though on your graduation and welcome to the forum.

Mission Earth, for what it represents and its greater classicism.

+1 for Mission Earth!

Best regards
Mark

Before I went to college, I didn't even know how to spell Engineer
And now I are one.

Old college joke from the school I went to many years ago. I'm not sure how well it will translate for those whose first language is not English, but I hope it is understood.

Mission Earth for this old engineer, who learned his stuff on a slide rule, back before calculators and PC's.

Mission Earth, with stainless steel bracelet to cover most situations.

Congrats. on your ingenieur degree soon to be. I own a limited production Ingenieur 3228 ( 2005 ), no anti- magnetic protection, but a great view of the in- house movement through the the back. If you don't need the anti-magnetic protection go for the see thru back. Just my opinion & welcome to the forum.

Zyxtimer

Thank you very much for your contributions gentlemen, and your warm welcome to the forum. I think I'm leaning towards the Mission Eaarth, partly because it's newer also.
Very tough choice though, I agree with Alan and Zyxtimer that it'd be a joy to take the Big off and stare at its movement

Thanks gents!

Best regards

Ernesto

Ernesto, one more vote for the Mission Earth:

A 7 days power reserve you need if you don`t wear your watch for serveral days - very useful for a collector with many fine timepieces which all want to be worn. Monday the first, Tuesday the next - and your Big Ingenieur lying on a small velvet pillow is still running on Friday waiting for you. Perfect!

You don`t need that? Then take the Mission Earth - with a solid steel back, good magnetic resistance and still 44 hours of power reserve - time enough also for the longest rest - and a watch for your wrist more than for a small velvet pillow :-)).

And welcome to the forum!

Regards, Lutz

A warm welcome to our forum Ernesto.
IMHO Mission Earth is a stunning watch, you can use it as an everyday watch + in formal situations.
Congratulations for your future graduation.

Hi.
Congratulations for your academic achievement, and choice of brand.
Rugged engineering and delicate watchmaking are not mutually exclusive qualities. You can have them booth in every Ingenieur model up to the Ref 3227 and, unfortunately, only in some Ingenieurs since then.
If the engineering you will be engaged in involves working around magnetic fields, my recommendation is to stay away from the models with see-through case back, pretty as they may be. They are not amagnetic, and imho not true to their name.

I would say go for the most visually appealing/interesting to you first - i.e. the Big Ingenieur... then for your NEXT one go for the history/purity choice be it an Ingenieur or another range. (This is what I'm finding myself doing being an IWC newbie...) Vinhthang

Dear Ernesto,

the Mission Earth is an everyday watch and perfect for daily business. Start your collection with this one.

The Big Ingenieur could be a very nice and noble future addition to your collection, for example for your 30th or 40th birthday ;-)

Best regards from a German Mechanical Engineer :-)
Christoph

ps. Have you recognized the reference 322701 INGENIEUR?

I got my first (and so far only) IWC a little bit more than half a year ago. My fisrt target was the Mission Earth but I managed to get enough money to buy the Big Ing instead. I am sure that both are excellent watches but the Big Ing is to me a little bit more "sophisticated" and I am very happy with this choice.

The frontside gives me joy evertime I watch it ..

And quick glance at the back before I go to bed makes me fallto sleep with a smile on my face..

Good luck with whatever choice you make.

Tobias

Close your eyes and pick. You can get the other one after your first bonus check. I guarantee which ever one you choose you'll be wondering what it was like to have the other. It's one of the symptoms of the IWC virus.

My Vote-Mission Earth !

Welcome to the world of ingenieuring, I don't think you can go wrong with either -----but why don't you save that beautiful back for your future Portugese Auto if you like it also?