====== IWC Ingenieur 666 ======
  *See Also [[IWC Ingenieur]]

The original [[IWC]] **Ingenieur** (Ref. 666A and 666AD) was a rugged and [[anti-magnetic]] [[engineer]] watch and was produced from [[1954]] through [[1967]].

===== Overview =====
Both [[Rolex]] and IWC saw the need for a [[engineer|watch for engineers and scientists]] in the 1950s, combining rugged [[automatic]] movements, [[water-resistant]] cases, and [[anti-magnetic]] concepts in the [[Rolex Milgauss]] and this IWC Ingenieur. The concept has remained for over 50 years, with the [[IWC Ingenieur|IWC Ingenieur family]] spawning many models, including an iconic redesign by famed designer [[Genta, Gerald|Gerald Genta]], a pivot to [[motor racing]], and the use of exotic materials like [[titanium]] and [[ceramic]].

The first Ingenieur models, Ref. 666A and 666AD (with [[date window|date]]), appeared in late [[1954]], with most sales beginning in [[1955]]. It a up-to-date [[tripartite]] case with a screwed-on caseback with an integrated [[soft iron]] inner case and dial back for resistance to magnetic fields. The case was large for the time at 36.5 mm diameter and thick at 13.2 mm due to the soft iron inner case. Combined with the plain styling and well-defined lugs, this gives the original reference a modern feel. The [[pie pan]] dial and [[dauphine]] hands, however, feel somewhat dated. All Ingenieurs have the "INGENIEUR" logo above the index at 6 00.

The most common Ingenieur was the Ref. 666A and 666AD, which had a steel case. These were available on either a leather strap or steel bracelet and 18 karat [[gold filled]] versions were produced as well. The Ref. 766A/766AD were identical but used a 14 karat [[yellow gold]] case and steel caseback.

In [[1959]], IWC updated the movement in most watch models to [[IWC 853|Cal. 853/8531]] which featured an improved [[barrel]] and adjustment screws on the [[balance]]. The Ingenieur references remained the same, as did the case and specifications. A [[beads-of-rice]] bracelet by [[Gay-Frères]] along with a gold "brick" bracelet was also introduced around that time, becoming Ref. 9033 and 9386, respectively. By this time, models with the date complication had become much more popular, so some non-date references went out of production or became scarce. IWC also added a prefix and suffix to the reference number for a few years in the mid-1960s, resulting in reference numbers like 26662, 36661, 56662, 66661, 76662, 87661, and 993861. The suffix "1" or "2" indicated date or no date, respectively, while the prefix indicated the case and strap combination.

The Ingenieur was thoroughly revised in [[1967]] with the introduction of the next-generation [[IWC Ingenieur 866|Ref. 866 Ingenieur]]. All existing references went out of production at this time.

===== External Links =====
  * [[http://www.moeb.ch/Ingenieur/01e_ref666.html|The «original» Ingenieur with automatic calibre 852x (1954/55-1958/59)]]


<WRAP ud ud_mod>

**Reference:**
  * 666A [[Stainless steel]] or [[gold filled]]
  * 666AD [[Stainless steel]] or [[gold filled]] with [[date window]]
  * 766A [[Yellow gold]] case with steel caseback
  * 766AD [[Yellow gold]] case with steel caseback with [[date window]]

**Movement:**
  * [[Self-winding]] [[manufacture]] movement [[IWC 852|Cal. 852/8521]], 19,800 A/h
  * Integrated shock absorber system
  * [[Pellaton winding system]]
  * 21 [[jewels]]

**Case: **
  * [[Stainless steel]] or [[yellow gold]]
  * [[Tripartite]] case with [[screwed]] caseback
  * Ø 36.5 mm, H 13.2 mm
  * Soft-iron inner case for [[magnetic field protection]] up to 80,000 A/m
  * [[Plexiglass crystal]]
  * [[Water resistant]] to 10 ATM

**Dial:**
  * Black or silver dial
  * Bar markers, some with Arabic numerals at 3, 6, 9, and 12

**Functions:**
  * Hours, minutes, [[central seconds]] 
  * [[Date window]] at 3 00 ("AD" references only)

**Bracelet: **
  * Leather strap or metal bracelet

**Production: **
  * Produced [[1954]]-[[1959]]
  * Successor [[IWC Ingenieur 866|Ref. 866 Ingenieur]]
</WRAP>

{{tag>Watch_models IWC_Ingenieur_models}}