Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Mercedes-AMG F1 Pilot George Russell Teams Up with IWC for Two New Pilot’s Watches
Black ceramic cases and the signature blue colour of George Russell’s F1 helmet rev up the livery of limited-edition automatic and chronograph models from the Top Gun family.
British driver George Russell, currently racing for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, joined IWC’s paddock of ambassadors in 2022. Exchanging the steering wheel of his F1 for the design board, Russell worked alongside IWC’s creative team to design the new limited edition Pilot’s Watches, emblazoned with the F1 pilot’s signature blue colour featured on his helmet. The new chronograph and time-and-date editions are from IWC’s Top Gun family, renowned for its tactical, contemporary military-style watches. Presented in black ceramic cases with blue accents, both models are limited editions of 1,063 pieces.
Since 2013, IWC has been the official engineering partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team and has produced many AMG-themed watches. At first glance, you might mistake these new editions with the earlier Pilot Mark XX and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 for Mercedes-AMG. However, the new time-and-date automatic and chronograph are based on the brand’s high-tech Top Gun range, a sub-family of the Pilot’s Watch characterised by matte military-inspired stealth designs, and innovative corrosion-resistant case materials like titanium, ceramic and the brand’s proprietary Ceratanium.
Bringing a touch of Russell’s talismanic blue racetrack helmet to the wrist, the watches feature bold blue contrasts on the dial and strap. Another detail closely associated with Russell is the number 63, apparently the first number his older brother Benjy used on his kart in the 2000s, which became the “family racing number” and is now featured on his matte blue helmet.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 George Russell comes in a 41.9mm x 15.5mm black zirconium oxide ceramic case with 100m water-resistance. The pushers and crowns are made from Ceratanium – IWC’s proprietary material combining titanium and ceramic, and the signature IWC sapphire crystal secured against displacement by drops in air pressure protects the matte black dial. The titanium caseback is sealed, and the soft-iron inner case provides additional protection against magnetic fields.
The black matte dial features indices, numerals and inscriptions in Russell’s signature blue and the hands are filled with matching-coloured Super-LumiNova. Powered by the automatic calibre 69380 with a 46-hour power reserve, the column-wheel chronograph displays 30-minute and 12-hour elapsed times, small seconds, the day and date in a double window at 3 o’clock and the hours, minutes and central chronograph seconds.
The 100m water-resistant Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 George Russell in a black zirconium oxide ceramic case measures 41mm x 11.4mm, features a Ceratanium crown, has a soft-iron inner case, and the glass is secured against displacement. Like the chronograph, the black dial features George Russell blue indices, numerals and inscriptions and the hour and minute hands are treated with blue Super-LumiNova. Powered by the IWC calibre 32112, a robust automatic movement with a pawl winding system that delivers an impressive 120-hour (5-day) power reserve, the hour, minute and date functions are complemented by a hacking seconds function.
Both models are paired with a matching blue rubber strap and Ceratanium pin buckles, fitted with the brand’s integrated, tool-free strap-change system. They are both limited editions of 1,063 pieces. Prices are to be confirmed.
More information at IWC.com.
