IWC Teams Up with Warner Bros for Two Aquaman-Themed Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital

Today, IWC Schaffhausen announced partnering with Warner Bros. Picture’s upcoming feature film Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to launch two new models, inspired by the red and blue glowing prop watches that the brand supplied for the production of the highly-anticipated feature film sequel. Ultra-bold, clearly on the large side, equipped with multiple complications and shaped for a mission, IWC has created two aquatic-inspired models (of course, considering the partnership) in full black attire with brightly-coloured contrasting elements. Meet the Aquaman-themed IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month Ceratanium. 

If you plan on going to the theater tomorrow to look at Warner Bros. Picture’s latest release, take a closer look at the wrists of two of the characters… There’s something special to be seen. Released internationally tomorrow December 20 (and December 22 for North America), Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is the sequel to acclaimed movie Aquaman, first released in 2018 and the highest-grossing DC movie of all time. Starring Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry/Aquaman, this new episode in the saga will again put him in front of Black Manta. But we’re not here to talk cinema, but about watches… Thanks to its experimental division XPL, which drives developments in areas like advanced materials or g-protection, IWC has outfitted the villains Black Manta, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Dr. Stephen Shin, played by Randall Park, with prop watches that glow brightly in red or blue. These prototypes have inspired two striking limited editions Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital.

These watches are some of the largest and boldest models ever created by IWC. Not entirely new, these are based on a model that was first released in 2014 as part of the renewed Aquatimer collection. In the same vein, its complex chronograph QP movement has been seen on multiple occasions at IWC, for instance in this Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar or this Portugieser 75th Anniversary, although with rather different executions. What matters here is that we’re looking at 49mm watches – yes, that’ll make a Big Pilot not so big anymore – with a height of 19.5mm. Be ready to make an impact.

The case of both editions is full-black, thanks to the use of the brand’s Ceratanium material – a proprietary alloy combining the lightness and mechanical resistance of titanium with the properties of ceramic. As with all modern Aquatimer watches, it is equipped with the SafeDive System bezel, with a mechanical connection between the external and internal bezels. The crown is screwed and water-resistance is rated at 100m. They come equipped with a vented rubber strap, a Ceratanium pin buckle and a quick-exchange system like all watches from the current Aquatimer collection.

Moving to the dial, inspired by the glow colours of the prop watches used by Black Manta and Dr. Stephen Shin in the movie, these Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month have black dials and hands, with multiple red or blue luminous accents on the hands, and the inner rotating bezel indicating the dive time. A honeycomb pattern over the calendar display allows to have a peak inside the complex movement, which combines a chronograph and a perpetual calendar. The main advantage of this display, besides its modern visual appeal, is its legibility. No overlap in the indications, as the chronograph relies on a central seconds hand and a single totalizer at 12 o’clock for both hours and minutes. The perpetual calendar is also highly intuitive, with two rotating discs in a digital format, both with double-digit displays. The leap year and small seconds are found at 6 o’clock.

Powering this complex Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month is the in-house calibre 89802, an automatic integrated column-wheel chronograph with flyback function. The winding is done thanks to a double pawl winding system and the power reserve is a comfortable 68 hours. Specific to this version, the rotor has been blackened thanks to a nickel-plating process and its been given a technical shape in relation with the movie.

Released in two limited editions of 25 pieces, the Aquaman-themed IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month (ref. IW379405 in red and IW379406 in blue) are each priced at EUR 62,000 or USD 57,600. For more details, please visit www.iwc.com.