Cockpit Ready: IWC And Mercedes-AMG Launch An Exclusive Titanium Big Pilot’s Chronograph

The Swiss watchmaker and the German performance car manufacturer pair up again to launch an automotive-inspired Pilot’s Watch featuring a matte titanium case and eye-catching woven carbon fiber dial.

By Steven Rogers

Contributor

IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG have been partners for 17 years now. This long-standing pairing has resulted in collaborative timepieces, shared personalities representing each brand, and mutual visibility: The IWC logo has been a constant feature of the Mercedes-AMG F1 team’s cars, paddock, and uniforms, for example.

Today, this partnership continues to flourish with the announcement of their latest collaboration, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG.” And as you might have guessed, it features some nice car-inspired touches, including the use of automotive materials.

Matte Titanium Case and Carbon Fiber Dial

For a start, the 2021 “AMG” (Ref. IW377903) is the first IWC Pilot’s Watch with a case made of light, resistant natural Grade 5 titanium, a material often used in performance car manufacturing, with the tube cage of the roll-over protection system in Mercedes-AMG’s GT Black Series, for example, made from it. And the titanium bodywork on this 43mm watch bears a gentle matte graining, evoking the satin-like texture of AMG’s signature Selenite Grey Magno paint finish.

The New IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG

The dial features a woven carbon fiber derived directly from AMG’s aero components. This light and rigid material is made by processing carbon fibers on weaving machines into textile-like structures and subjecting them to heat and pressure to produce an eye-catching material with a distinctive interlaced look.

The New IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG

The darkness of the carbon dial sets off the silver-toned chronograph sub-dials, which recall motorsport instruments; meanwhile, the black date and day display at 3 o’clock blends neatly into the main dial pattern.

Automatic 69385 Caliber

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” is also IWC‘s first 43mm Pilot‘s Watch Chronograph to be powered by the in-house 69385 automatic caliber, featuring a column-wheel chronograph function and small hacking seconds. The movement can be glimpsed through the tinted sapphire crystal caseback on which the Mercedes-AMG logo is emblazoned.

The New IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG

Finally, the timepiece comes with a black calf leather strap boasting an embossed pattern that complements the woven look of the dial, plus contrast stitching and a folding clasp.

The New IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG

Exciting Online Launch

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” was unveiled earlier today at an online launch hosted by IWC Schaffhausen CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr and Mercedes-AMG CEO Philipp Schiemer. The pair talked about their passion for racing, the values shared by both brands, as well as the sustainable future of watchmaking and mobility.

“Over the last 17 years of our partnership, IWC and AMG have shared exhilarating moments in motorsport and beyond, and we have created many lasting memories for our clients,” said Grainger-Herr.

The New IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG

He continued: “We are proud to introduce Mercedes-AMG as a permanent feature of our Pilot‘s Watch Collection, starting with the Pilot‘s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘AMG’.”

The CEOs were joined by Mercedes-AMG factory driver and IWC brand ambassador Maro Engel, who gave his professional racing driver’s perspective of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG”, highlighting its robust movement and titanium case as welcome features given the knocks and bangs that a watch can be subjected to in the cockpit. You can watch the online launch below.

Pricing & Availability

Priced at CHF 9,900, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” is available for pre-order through IWC boutiques and authorized retailers, as well as on IWC’s website.