Following in the motorsport-inspired vein of the recently released Big Pilot’s Watch Constant Force Tourbillon Edition “IWC Racing,” IWC has once again melded its rich aviation-watch heritage with its more recent auto-racing collaborations — in particular, its partnership with German car manufacturer Mercedes-AMG, which began in 2004 — to produce another synergistic, performance-oriented timepiece, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG.”
The watch represents several firsts for the 43-mm Pilot’s Watch Chronograph family: it is the first such model to use grade 5 titanium for its case and the first to install the IWC manufacture Caliber 69385 inside that case. Most indicative of the watch’s automotive influences is its dial, made of woven carbon fiber and produced in the manner of AMG’s aero components. In a complex manufacturing process, woven carbon fibers are subjected to high heat and pressure to achieve both an impressive level of lightness and rigidity as well as the dial’s characteristic “textile structured” carbon fiber look. Contrasting with this high-tech, black-and-gray surface are silvered chronograph subdials and bold white numerals — the ensemble altogether evoking an instrument on a motorsports dashboard while maintaining the classically bold look of an IWC Pilot’s Watch.
Also a staple of automobile manufacturing is the case’s grade 5 titanium, which is extremely lightweight and rigid and features a matte gray surface treatment inspired by the “Selenite Grey Magno” paint finish that has become a hallmark of AMG cars. The high-performance engine inside the case, on display behind a tinted sapphire window with an etched AMG logo, is IWC’s automatic Caliber 69385, whose integrated, column-wheel-controlled chronograph function measures up to 12 hours of elapsed times. Beating at 28,800 vph and storing a power reserve of 46 hours, the 33-jewel caliber also incorporates a day-date indication and a hacking seconds function.
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronogaph Edition “AMG” completes its high-octane look with an embossed calf leather strap, with contrast stitching and a carbon-fiber-style pattern that echoes the look of the dial. It is available now for pre-order on IWC.com and through the company’s boutiques and retail partners. “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,” IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr announced at the webcast unveiling the new model. “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.'” Philipp Scheimer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG added, “Our commitment to craftsmanship of the highest level and our pursuit of emotional product experiences is what has united [IWC and Mercedes-AMG] since 2004 – and the Pilot‘s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘AMG’ once again underlines our strong partnership.”
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