When two-time Olympic freestyle skiing champion Eileen Gu returned to Watches and Wonders Geneva this year, it was more than a homecoming – it was a celebration of shared values. Like IWC Schaffhausen, Eileen embodies elite performance and precision. Her journey through the IWC booth, marked by elegant black and gold architecture, echoed the “Form und Technik” philosophy that defines the Ingenieur line – a perfect setting for an athlete who continues redefining sport’s limits.
IWC’s standout release, the Ingenieur Automatic 40, speaks directly to this fusion of strength and sophistication. With its robust construction, integrated bracelet, and refined finishes, the luxury sports watch revisits Gérald Genta’s iconic 1970s design while adding contemporary engineering finesse. It’s a timepiece built for those who move purposefully.
Eileen, wearing the new Ingenieur Automatic 35 in 18-carat 5N gold, praised IWC for “pushing boundaries” and maintaining its unwavering commitment to innovation. “This continues to be evident in everything they do, and it inspires me as an athlete.” From its intricately patterned dial to its precision-engineered case, the timepiece captures the essence of modern sport: a dynamic balance of power, beauty, and discipline.
As a model, scholar, and sports icon, Eileen epitomises IWC’s ethos – proving that timing isn’t just about the seconds on a dial, but the choices we make in the moment. Through athletes like her, IWC continues to champion a new generation of pioneers who break records and transcend categories.
After all, the art of timing is not just about keeping time – it’s about owning it.
IN CONVERSATION AT WATCHES AND WONDERS GENEVA 2025
What other sports do you take inspiration from for preparation and training?
Skiing is all about precision, thinking about the half a degree of rotation that means a perfect trick or catching an edge and falling. A sport that reflects that [equally] well is F1 motorsport. It represents that degree of focus, drive, pursuit of perfection, and attention to detail – and there’s also a scientific aspect about it, which I love. I’m so excited about IWC’s collaboration with the upcoming movie, F1.
How excited are you for the 2026 Winter Olympics?
I’m looking forward to the Milan Winter Olympics. Doing something for the second time is a lot harder than doing it for the first, so I’m taking it day by day and focusing on my mental [preparation] and how I deal with pressure.
What kind of legacy do you hope to leave?
Hopefully, a golden one. We live a very fast-paced life, and it’s all about the attention economy. I think moments like the Olympics and the unveiling of IWC’s Ingenieur are all moments of legacy. They’re moments of storytelling and history, and that’s very special. They have the human touch and the sense of striving for perfection. There’s something really creative and human about that, which I appreciate.
What IWC watch are you wearing?
I’m currently wearing the 35mm Ingenieur in gold. I love a little bit of gold and think the way it’s done is elegant and refined. We see the kind of grid pattern on the face paired with the iconic Gerald Genta five screws on the bezel and then, of course, this ergonomic watch band which I love. It flows with the body and skin, so it’s very comfortable to wear, and what I love about it is that it’s 35mm as opposed to the 40mm from two years ago. For people like me with smaller wrists, it feels comfortable.
