Mercedes’ F1 season may be off to a rocky start, but IWC correctly selected the Miami Grand Prix’s leadup as the best time to unveil a pilot’s watch in the team’s honor.
The IWC’s Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team watch was revealed shortly before George Russell and seven-time champ Lewis Hamilton finished in fifth and sixth place, behind only season-leading Ferrari and Red Bull drivers. It was the best possible result they could have realistically hoped for given the violent bouncing “porpoising” tendencies of their cars at speed.
The 41mm case is crafted from the rigid grade 5 titanium, sandblasted to a shimmering gray. The material boasts the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metal, which is why it’s suited to both fine Swiss watchmaking and F1 car componentry.
The black dial and hands—also forged from titanium—contrast with the IWC logo, indices, and numerals in Petronas’ signature green shade.
Beneath the racy flare is the in-house manufactured 69385 calibre, visible through a sapphire caseback. The chronograph movement is in a classic column-wheel design consisting of 231 individual parts, while a bi-directional pawl winding system builds up a power reserve of 46 hours.
The timepiece is paired with two different straps—one made of a more subtle black calfskin, and the other a Petronas-green rubber. Wearers can easily swap them out via IWC’s EasX-Change systme at the push of a button.
Priced from $7,850, the IWC’s Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One is available to purchase exclusively online.
