The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team” (Live Pics & Price)

We’ve talked multiple times about the connections between the world of cars and watches, and this couldn’t truer when it comes to motorsport and, specifically, F1. As we’ve seen here, all teams are partnering with a watch brand for the 2022 season. IWC has long been the partner of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One, having created multiple watches inspired by the world of Formula One, or dedicated to its pilots. This year, there’s a new pilot’s chronograph resulting from this IWC x AMG collaboration, but it’s a bit special, since it’s the first “team watch” that will be worn by the staff, including designers, aerodynamicists, race engineers, strategists and mechanics. But no worries, as this new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team” IW388108 is also available for a wider audience. 

Up until now, the partnership between IWC and F1 team Mercedes-AMG Petronas has resulted in numerous watches, which were either inspired by the cars or made according to the requirements of its pilots. For multiple years, these watches were based on the Ingenieur collection, yet we’ve seen a switch some years ago for the Pilot’s Watch collection – which can be seen printed on the gloves of AMG’s pilots. Today, just ahead of the first-ever Grand Prix located in Miami, IWC and Mercedes-AMG Petronas announced the result of their most recent collaboration, which is the first watch made for the entire F1 team, and not just for its pilots. “It underscores the spirit of unity and the sense of belonging within our team and is a testament to the relationship we have built with IWC over the last decade. I am looking forward to seeing the watch being worn by members of the team trackside in Miami this weekend,” says Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. The “team watch” will be, of course, also available for watch enthusiasts too, from IWC’s website.

As you can expect, this new model merges classic Pilot’s Watch elements with the signature colours of the F1 team. Based on the 41mm chronograph, it actually goes a bit further than just showing new tones. While the case of this IW388108 retains the same dimensions as the watch from the standard collection, meaning 41mm in diameter and 14.6mm in height, it isn’t made of steel anymore but from grade 5 titanium, a lightweight and rigid alloy that has long been used in automotive engineering to produce car parts subject to immense stresses. The case is here mostly sandblasted, resulting in a dark greyish tone, and features polished accents on the bezel, crown and pushers. The case features sapphire crystals on both sides, a screw-down crown and has a comfortable water-resistance of 100 metres.

The other differentiating element on this new Pilot Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG Petronas IW388108 is the dial. Classic on almost all levels, it has been transformed by the use of the F1 team’s signature shade of green – the so-called Petronas Green, a bright, aquamarine tone. This colour is found on all hands, tracks, markers and logos. The dial is otherwise identical to other Pilot’s Chronographs of the brand, with a matte black background, black hands and the combination of a 6-9-12 chronograph and a day-date display. The main hands and the quarter markers are covered in SLN.

Part of the exclusive package, this IWC x AMG chronograph is delivered with two straps, both equipped with the brand’s integrated EasX-CHANGE system, allowing the straps to be exchanged effortlessly and without additional tools. The IW388108 comes with a black embossed calfskin strap and a Petronas Green rubber strap, both closed by a titanium pin buckle.

Under the sapphire caseback, with discreet printings on its periphery, is the manufacture calibre 69385. This evolution of the Valjoux ébauche made by Valfleurier is an automatic, integrated chronograph with a column wheel architecture. It runs at 4hz and stores up to 46 hours of energy when fully wound. It is lightly decorated, with circular stripes and perlage.

Availability & Price

The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team” IW388108 is a special, non-limited edition that will be priced at EUR 8,350. It is available exclusively online on IWC.com.

Photos by Santiago Tejedor horasyminutos.com