IWC And Mercedes-AMG Launch Performance Inspired Chronograph
Luxury watchmaker, IWC Schaffhausen, and premium carmaker, Mercedes-AMG, have launched the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG”. This timepiece is the latest product to celebrate the partnership between these two upmarket brands; they have been collaborating since 2004. The long-standing collaboration between the Swiss luxury watchmaker and the performance and sports car brand Mercedes-AMG, is grounded in many common values, including the pursuit of technical perfection and uncompromising quality. Both companies were created by visionaries with bold ideas.
IWC was established in 1868 by American watchmaker and entrepreneur Florentine Ariosto Jones in Switzerland. It is renowned for creating functional complications, especially chronographs and calendars, which are ingenious, robust, and easy to use. The ‘International Watch Company’ is a pioneer in the use of titanium and ceramics, and specialises in highly engineered technical watch cases manufactured from advanced materials, such as titanium aluminide and Ceratanium®. Meanwhile, in 1967 in Grossaspach, Germany, Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher established AMG with a visionary concept of incorporating cutting-edge racing technology into road-going series vehicles.
“The partnership between Mercedes-AMG and IWC has all the components that are needed for a successful and long-lasting collaboration. It’s very rare to come across a company and people with so many common interests and values. Our commitment to craftsmanship of the highest level and our pursuit of emotional product experiences is what has united us since 2004 – and the Pilot‘s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” once again underlines our strong partnership,” said Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG.
“IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG share both a passion for performance and design, as well as a commitment to engineering excellence down to the smallest detail. 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. Today 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”, explains Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.
Crafted from automotive engineering materials, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” (Ref. IW377903) is IWC‘s first 43 mm Pilot‘s Watch Chronograph featuring the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre, as well as the first Pilot‘s Watch Chronograph with a case made of extremely light and scratch-resistant titanium. The Grade 5 titanium finish gives the watch its matte grey appearance, inspired by AMG‘s signature Selenite Grey Magno paint finish. The dial features precisely woven carbon fibre, a material directly derived from AMG‘s aero components. These parts are produced in a complex process involving heat and pressure and are known for their remarkable lightness and rigidity. The raw material is continuous carbon fibres, which are processed on weaving machines into textile structures, giving the end product its characteristic woven “carbon look”. The black carbon dial provides the perfect contrast to the silver chronograph sub-dials, reminiscent of motorsport instruments.
This performance watch is powered by the IWC-manufactured calibre 69385 which is a robust and precise chronograph movement that enables stop time measurements of up to 12 hours. The chronograph function is controlled by a column wheel, an intricate component with two functional levels. The watch has a Mercedes-AMG logo emblazoned on the tinted sapphire crystal case back and is fitted with a black embossed calf leather strap with contrast stitching and folding clasp.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” is available for pre-order at IWC.com, through IWC boutiques and authorised retail partners. The timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and thus benefits from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.
Further, IWC sources materials responsibly and takes action to minimise its impact on the environment, creating intrinsically sustainable timepieces that are built to last for generations. The company prides itself in training its own future watchmakers and engineers, as well as offering an excellent working environment for all employees. IWC also partners with organisations that work globally to support children and young people.
