Since 2013, IWC Schaffhausen has accompanied the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team as Official Engineering Partner – and in the 14^th year of the partnership, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer unveils its newest team watch. Going back to 2022, the official team watches reflect the shared ethos of performance, engineering and cutting-edge design. Comprising various chronographs and an automatic model, the series is anchored in joint characteristics and design codes – such as the use of advanced performance materials like titanium, ceramic and Ceratanium^®, alongside dials or accents in the team’s signature PETRONAS green shade. Like its predecessors, the fourth team watch is an expression of IWC’s watchmaking legacy and the uncompromising performance that the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team showcases on racing circuits around the world.

The new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team (Ref. IW388121) is a robustly engineered chronograph equally at home in the paddock and on the wrist. The defining feature of this edition is its dial in a deep, saturated purple. The color is a tribute to the city of Singapore and its national flower; an orchid bred in 1893 by Armenian-Singaporean horticulturist Agnes Joaquim. It serves as Singapore’s national emblem and is said to represent resilience, boldness and innovation – traits and values that are also found in the shared universe of IWC and the MercedesAMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team. Under its colorful surface, the Vanda Miss Joaquim hides the enormous complexity of nature – just like the pure, instrumentstyle dial of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 hides the complexity of the mechanical movement underneath. The launch of the new team watch also accompanies a new collection by adidas, the official team partner and kit supplier. The collection is centered around the core of adaptive precision in F1^TM engineering and the performance-driven identity of adidas.

As with all previous team watches, the new chronograph also carries accents in the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team’s signature color. The distinctive PETRONAS green shade marks the numerals and indices; applied as a luminescent coating on the hands, it cuts a compelling contrast against the dial’s rich purple. The eye-catching design is complemented by a purple rubber strap. Thanks to the EasX-CHANGE^® system, it can be swapped for another strap option at the touch of a button.

A MATERIAL FORGED FOR MOTORSPORT

The case, measuring 41 millimeters in diameter, is crafted from Grade 5 titanium – a material prized throughout Formula One^TM for its favorable strength-to-density ratio and resistance to heat. Titanium tips the scales at roughly half the weight of steel and does not corrode. The metal is not only used in engine components such as connecting rods and valves but also plays a direct role in ensuring drivers’ safety on the racetrack: the Halo device, which arches over the cockpit as a protective roll structure, is likewise machined from a high-strength titanium alloy. The watch’s titanium case carries a brushed finish that draws out the metal’s distinctive silvery-gray luster.

A CHRONOGRAPH ENGINEERED FOR PRECISION AND RESILIENCE

Beating inside is the IWC-manufactured 69385 caliber, a mechanical chronograph built on a classical columnwheel architecture and engineered with a focus on precision, reliability, and robustness. The stop minutes are indicated at 12 o’clock via IWC’s hallmark vertical subdial layout, making elapsed-time readings effortless and intuitive. This dial configuration has been a signature feature of IWC’s Pilot’s Chronographs for more than four decades. The combined day-date display at 3 o’clock adds a layer of everyday practicality. A bidirectional pawl winding system provides a 46-hour power reserve. Finished with Geneva stripes and circular graining, the movement can be viewed through the transparent sapphire-glass case back.

THE FOURTH OFFICIAL TEAM WATCH

The first team watch arrived at the 2022 Miami Grand Prix: the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team” (Ref. IW388108) in titanium. The following year, at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, IWC unveiled the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team (Ref. IW388306), featuring a Ceratanium^® case and polished black ceramic bezel with tachymeter scale. In 2025, IWC and its partner opened the season with the release of the Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team (Ref. IW328210), a three-hand watch prized for its slender profile and versatility. Like its predecessors, the new team watch will be worn by team members trackside – mechanics, engineers and beyond – as well as by staff at the team’s headquarters in Brackley, England.

In 2013, IWC Schaffhausen became the Official Engineering Partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team. This milestone also marked the beginning of the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s shared journey with Lewis Hamilton, one of the most successful F1 pilots of all time, as well as a style and fashion icon with global appeal. To celebrate more than a decade of partnership, IWC invited Hamilton to a “Best of British” boat ride on the Thames. From Butler’s Wharf Pier to Battersea Power Station, where IWC has had a boutique since 2022, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team driver passed by some of London’s most popular landmarks – among them Tower Bridge, the Shard, Tate Modern Gallery, Big Ben and the London Eye. Accompanied on the yacht by British TV presenter and broadcaster Roman Kemp, Hamilton recalled some of the most memorable moments from his ten years as an IWC brand ambassador – such as racing a fighter jet, driving with a thousand drones in Las Vegas or competing in entertaining golf and basketball challenges in Miami. During the boat ride, Lewis Hamilton wore the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team (Ref. IW388306) in Ceratanium^® with a black dial.

AN EXCLUSIVE ROOFTOP COCKTAIL RECEPTION

After he arrived at Battersea Power Station, Hamilton joined guests at a rooftop bar for an exclusive cocktail reception. In an intimate talk hosted by TV presenter Lucy Hedges and British-Italian racing driver Vittoria “Vicky” Piria, he revealed personal insights and anecdotes from his racing career spanning more than 30 years – from his humble beginnings in karting at the age of eight to winning seven world championship titles in the elite class of motorsport. Hamilton also looked ahead to the British Grand PrixTM at the historic Silverstone circuit. The event was attended by many notable guests. Among them was British actor Damson Idris, who is featured on the cast of the upcoming Apple Original Films movie about a fictional F1 team called APX GP, which is supported by IWC Schaffhausen.

POP-UP BOUTIQUE IN FRONT OF THE BATTERSEA POWER STATION

In the immediate vicinity of its boutique at Battersea Power Station, IWC Schaffhausen installed a pop-up store in Malaysia Square. Designed as an open and transparent space and built with a re-usable inflatable structure, the pop up-features an exhibition of racing memorabilia, a selection of emblematic watches and a photo wall celebrating key moments from Lewis Hamilton’s incredible journey with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™  team. The centrepiece is the Mercedes-AMG F1 W10 EQ Power+, the racing car contributing to Hamilton’s eleven first-place finishes in the 2019 season. Visitors can also marvel at Hamilton’s race suit from his Silverstone win in 2021, the trophy from the 2020 British Grand Prix™  when he crossed the finish line with only three working tyres, or a replica of his current racing helmet. Selected special edition watches Hamilton designed in collaboration with IWC’s creative team are also on display. These include the Lewis Hamilton Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition in black ceramic with a burgundy dial and gold accents, or last year’s Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton in platinum with an elaborately finished teal-coloured dial.
 

The IWC Schaffhausen pop-up boutique is open daily until 7^th July from 10am to 5pm. 
 

Visitors wanting to explore the space are encouraged to sign up via the IWC website: https://www.iwc.com/gb/en/home.html

Over the last decade, IWC Schaffhausen has forged a profound bond with the exhilarating world of Formula One™. In 2013, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer became the Official Engineering Partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team. The same year, team driver Lewis Hamilton joined the IWC family as a brand ambassador. IWC further underscores its passion for motorsport, racing and engineering by announcing a partnership with Apple Original Films’ highly anticipated Formula One™ racing feature, which will be co-produced by Lewis Hamilton and his production company Dawn Apollo Films.

IWC WILL SPONSOR THE FICTIONAL APX GP TEAM

In the movie, IWC Schaffhausen will be a sponsor of APX GP, a fictional 11^th team on the grid. IWC’s branding will appear on the front wing and the Halo of the race cars, on the driver’s race suits, helmets, gloves, and team uniforms, as well as in the garage. Timepieces from IWC’s Pilot collection will be worn by different characters and figure as official team watches. Among these are the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 in stainless steel with a black dial, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN in black zirconium oxide ceramic and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 in stainless steel with a black dial.

SHOT IN AND AROUND ACTUAL GRAND PRIX WEEKENDS

The film is made in collaboration with Formula One™ and will be immersed in the exhilarating and cinematic world of Formula One™. It stars Brad Pitt as a former driver who returns to Formula One™, alongside Damson Idris as his team mate on APX GP, a fictional 11^th team on the grid. The film will be shot in and around actual Grand Prix™ weekends as the team competes against the titans of the sport. The cast includes Academy Award^® nominee Kerry Condon, Academy Award^® winner Javier Bardem, and Emmy Award^® winner and Golden Globe Award^® nominee Tobias Menzies. Academy Award^® nominee Ehren Kruger wrote the screenplay. Warner Bros. Pictures will release the film globally in theatres and in IMAX in North America on 27^th June 2025 and internationally from 25^th June 2025.

“The Little Prince” has been translated into more than 250 languages to date and is considered the most famous literary work by the French aviator and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The story describes the journey of the little prince to seven planets and their residents. As part of its collaboration with the heirs of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, IWC has since 2013 dedicated several Pilot’s Watches to this charming novel. Just as writing and flying were inextricably linked for Saint-Exupéry, these special editions with deep blue dials are a perfect symbiosis of poetry and engineering. 
 

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the “Le Petit Prince” editions, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer now adds another special edition Big Pilot’s Watch to the collection. Limited to 300 pieces, the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW329502) features a case and crown made of 18-carat Armor Gold^®. This alloy is significantly harder and more wear-resistant than conventional 5N gold due to its improved microstructure. Contrasting with the 43-millimetre case is the deep blue dial with a radiant sunray finish. The gold-plated hands and appliques, filled with Super-LumiNova®, emit an enigmatic glow in the dark. The watch is fitted with a brown calfskin strap with an 18-carat Armor Gold^® folding clasp.

THE TOURBILLON COUNTERS THE EFFECTS OF GRAVITY 

The eye-catcher on the dial is the flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock. French for “whirlwind”, the tourbillon involves the balance wheel rotating around its axis in a small cage. This constant rotation not only provides a visual spectacle on the dial but also reduces the influence of gravity on the watch’s oscillating system, thereby increasing accuracy. Thanks to the integrated tourbillon stop, the mechanism can be brought to a complete stop and the watch set with down-to-the-second accuracy. The state-of-the-art tourbillon consists of 56 parts and weighs only 0.663 grams. The pallet lever and the escape wheel are treated with Diamond Shell^® technology, a special coating that reduces friction and improves the flow of energy in the movement. 

THE ROTOR TAKES THE SHAPE OF THE LITTLE PRINCE 

The Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince is powered by the IWC-manufactured 82905 calibre movement. This high-end automatic calibre features a Pellaton winding system reinforced with ceramic components. Using movements of the rotor in both directions, it reliably builds up a power reserve of 80  hours in the mainspring. A special highlight is the rotor made of solid 18-carat gold, which takes the shape of “The Little Prince” standing on his asteroid. This beautiful detail and nod to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s charming novel can be admired through the transparent sapphire glass case back. 
 

The Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince is available immediately through IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners, or online at IWC.com. In addition, the timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program, benefitting from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG have been partners since 2004, making their collaboration one of the longest running between a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer and an automotive engineering company. Ahead of the upcoming F1^TM race in Las Vegas, the partners joined forces to organise an exclusive event in the Las Vegas desert. To mark the occasion, they took over the famous Speedvegas racetrack and built a pop-up “Speed City”, a desert camp and entertainment venue. In the presence of dozens of guests, they celebrated their long-standing collaboration and shared passion for performance and design. 
 

The similarities and differences in the design processes for cars and watches were key topics in a panel discussion with Christian Knoop, Chief Design Officer at IWC Schaffhausen, and Robert Lešnik, Head of Exterior Design Department at Mercedes-Benz and responsible for the design of the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé. Interviewed by technology journalist and BBC presenter Lucy Hedges, the two professionals revealed stunning facts about what it is like to work as designers in their respective industries. Robert Lešnik detailed how design can be used to accentuate technical features of a car and which considerations went into the sporty-emotional look of the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé. Christian Knoop shared an in-depth look at IWC’s chronograph and materials expertise and explained how these competences came together for the development of the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41. IWC officially launched the new collection with four performance chronographs in titanium and Ceratanium® the day prior. 
 

Following the design talk, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1^TM Team drivers Lewis Hamilton and George Russell delivered a fantastic driving performance in the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupé. The action on the track was accompanied by a spectacular drone show supported by lights, illuminating the night sky above the Las Vegas desert and giving a glimpse of the upcoming night race in the “City of Lights”. Both drivers then joined Lucy Hedges and former F1^TM driver and IWC brand ambassador David Coulthard for an entertaining conversation, reflecting on the performance and giving an outlook to the upcoming night race.
 

To close off the event, Chris Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, Michael Schiebe, CEO of Mercedes-AMG, and Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1^TM  Team, joined the stage. They looked back on the successful and long-standing collaboration between the companies, and shared memories.

GUESTS EXPLORED THE POP UP EXHIBITIONS IN “ SPEED CITY” 

During the entire evening, the guests were invited to explore the many attractions at the “Speed City” venue in the Las Vegas desert. Among other things, they could visit an exhibition from Mercedes-AMG and learn more about the company’s range of performance cars. In addition, IWC set up a pop-up watch boutique with a curated selection of some of the most iconic watches from Schaffhausen. 

MERCEDES-AMG 

Mercedes-AMG is the performance and sports car brand of Mercedes-Benz Cars based in Affalterbach, Germany. Driven by the fascination of motorsports Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher founded the company in 1967. Since 2005 Mercedes-AMG GmbH has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler AG representing the sporting spearhead of the company with a wide range of models ranging from performance compact cars up to true sports cars like the AMG GT family. In contrast to large-scale production, Mercedes-AMG’s engines are assembled in Affalterbach according to the “One Man, One Engine” principle. AMG was born on the racetrack and is up to this day committed to “Driving Performance” in every detail, which is also expressed in every vehicle’s perceptible, innovative excellence. AMG – these three letters stand for supreme automotive performance, exclusivity, emotion, efficiency and highly dynamic driving pleasure and for exclusive encounters, contact points and collaborations for customers all around the globe. AMG continues to set benchmarks and, as a sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz, has the ambition to strengthen the product portfolio as a performance luxury brand. Currently, AMG is pushing the transformation of the company and redefining the Future of Driving Performance with electrified powertrains. 

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE 

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is the works team of Mercedes-AMG, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula One™ World Championship. Formula One is a sport like no other. Combining elite teamwork, cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and exceptional driving skill, teams develop race cars capable of competing against their rivals in a high-octane environment that spans upwards of 20 races across five continents throughout each season. 
The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, based across Technology Centres at Brackley and Brixworth in the United Kingdom, brings together over 1,000 dedicated and determined people that design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and Grand Prix winner, George Russell.  Winning seven consecutive double Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships from 2014 to 2020 and securing a record-breaking eighth consecutive Constructors’ Championship success in 2021, the Team is one of the most successful in the sport’s history. Between returning as a Constructor in 2010 and the end of the 2022 season, the Mercedes-AMG works team has scored 116 wins, 264 podium finishes, 128 pole positions, 91 fastest laps and 54 one-two finishes from 259 race starts.

IWC Schaffhausen has an extensive legacy of manufacturing instrument watches. Performance criteria such as high accuracy, robustness, reliability and durability are therefore deeply ingrained in the company’s DNA as a watchmaker. The performance ethos that is expressed through IWC’s products is also reflected through two of its longest standing partnerships. In 2004, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer became a partner of Mercedes-AMG, the performance car subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz. As a logical continuation, IWC became the “Official Engineering Partner” of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team in 2013. The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer is now launching two performance chronographs dedicated to its motorsport partners.

The Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph  41 AMG (Ref. IW388305/04) features a case, crown and pushers crafted from robust and lightweight titanium. IWC pioneered this hard-to-machine metal in the watch industry in 1980 when it released the first wristwatch with a titanium case and bracelet. IWC had acquired the specific know-how for  machining  titanium  in close collaboration with French aerospace company Aérospatiale. Offering the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metal, titanium is frequently used in automotive engineering to manufacture components for high-performance engines. The grade 5 titanium alloy used for the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 case is around 45% lighter than steel and remarkably rigid. The case features a brushed finish with polished details on the horns. One version is fitted with a robust, waterproof black rubber strap (Ref. IW388305), while the other version (Ref. IW388304) features a titanium bracelet with H-links and an integrated folding clasp.
 

Last year, IWC introduced the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team”. The official team watch is worn by the team, including designers, aerodynamicists, race engineers, strategists and mechanics. Now, IWC is also launching a  performance chronograph dedicated to  its  partner.
 

The Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team (Ref. IW388306) features a case made of Ceratanium^®. Developed by IWC, this material combines the lightness and structural integrity of titanium with a hardness and scratch-resistance similar to ceramic. The lightweight material is based on a special titanium alloy forged to IWC’s specifications. The case components are machined from bars using computer-controlled turning and milling centres. Afterward, they are elaborately finished by hand and fired in a kiln at high temperatures. During this firing process, a phase transformation occurs, and the material’s surface obtains properties similar to ceramic and its striking matte black finish. This watch is fitted with a black rubber strap with a Ceratanium^® pin buckle.

A TACHYMETER SCALE  ADDS THE DIMENSION OF SPEED

An outstanding functional feature of the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 is the ceramic bezel with a tachymeter scale, which allows the wearer to measure the average speed in relation to the distance travelled. Pushing the chronograph’s start button initiates a measurement. Once a distance of one kilometre has been covered, the chronograph is stopped. The central chronograph seconds hand will point to a number on the rotating tachymeter scale, corresponding to the average speed in kilometres per hour.

A MASTERPIECE OF CRAFTSMANSHIP AND FINISHING

Matching the polished black ceramic bezels, all models feature black dials with a glossy finish and  black  hands. The recessed totalisers and the applied indices and numerals, in blackened nickel, filled with Super-LumiNova^®, provide additional depth and ensure excellent night-time readability. The manufacturing of this intricate dial represents a feat of craftsmanship and finishing. The polished black lacquer finish is the result of an elaborate, highly controlled and perfected production process.  The three totalisers are individually finished and printed before they are mounted on the lacquered base plate to create the final dial. The approximately 20 appliques are individually polished by hand, fixed to the dial and then filled with luminous material.

HIGH-PERFORMANCE CHRONOGRAPH ENGINE

All versions of the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 are powered by the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre movement. Comprising 242 parts, this mechanical chronograph movement has been engineered with an uncompromising focus on robustness, reliability, and precision. Its bi-directional pawl winding system builds up a power reserve of 46 hours in the mainspring. Column-wheel control of the chronograph ensures that individual phases in the switching sequence are clearly defined. There is also a distinct tactile resistance when the buttons are pushed. The chronographs features IWC’s characteristic vertical subdial arrangement. The stopped minutes are displayed directly at the 12 o’clock position, enhancing readability. The assembly of these movements at IWC’s Manufakturzentrum is organized in a dedicated line. Dividing the process into several smaller steps is paramount for achieving the best possible quality. After assembly and regulation, all movement functions are tested automatically over 12 days in the FIM (Final Inspection Movement) cell developed by IWC.
 

In addition, all three timepieces are eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and can benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

ABOUT MERCEDES-AMG

Mercedes-AMG is the performance and sports car brand of Mercedes-Benz Cars based in Affalterbach, Germany. Driven by the fascination of motorsports Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher founded the company in 1967. Since 2005 Mercedes-AMG GmbH has been a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daimler AG representing the sporting spearhead of the company with a wide range of models ranging from performance compact cars up to true sports cars like the AMG GT family. In contrast to large-scale production, Mercedes- AMG’s engines are assembled in Affalterbach according to the “One Man, One Engine” principle. AMG  was born on the racetrack and is up to this day committed to “Driving Performance” in every detail, which is also expressed in every vehicle’s perceptible, innovative excellence. AMG – these three letters stand for supreme automotive performance, exclusivity, emotion, efficiency and highly dynamic driving pleasure and for exclusive encounters, contact points and collaborations for customers all around the globe. AMG continues to set benchmarks and, as a sub-brand of Mercedes-Benz, has the ambition to strengthen the product portfolio as a performance luxury brand. Currently, AMG is pushing the transformation of the company and redefining the Future of Driving Performance with electrified powertrains.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is the works team of Mercedes-AMG, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula One™ World Championship. Formula One is a sport like no other. Combining elite teamwork, cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and exceptional driving skill, teams develop race cars capable of competing against their rivals in a high-octane environment that spans upwards of 20 races across five continents throughout each season.
 

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, based across Technology Centres at Brackley and Brixworth in the United Kingdom, brings together over 1,000 dedicated and determined people that design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and Grand Prix winner, George Russell. Winning seven consecutive double Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships from 2014 to 2020 and securing a record-breaking eighth consecutive Constructors’ Championship success in 2021, the Team is one of the most successful in the sport’s history. Between returning as a Constructor in 2010 and the end of the 2022 season, the Mercedes-AMG works team has scored 116 wins, 264 podium finishes, 128 pole positions, 91 fastest laps and 54 one-two finishes from 259 race starts.

Not only on the slopes is freestyle skier and IWC brand ambassador Eileen Gu breaking all the records, but she is also enrolled as a student at the prestigious Stanford University and working as an internationally successful model. At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, she won two gold medals and one silver medal, which also marked her first Olympic games. In May of this year, she also added the title of “Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year” to her accolades on her already impressive CV. Eileen is a tireless spokesperson for diversity and equal opportunities in sports. Using her voice as an elite athlete, she primarily hopes to inspire young women by giving them the courage to pursue their dreams.

ONE AUCTION LOT WITH TWO VERY SPECIAL IWC WATCHES

At the 2023 Laureus Charity Night, which takes place on 11^th November at the Zurich Convention Center, Eileen Gu and IWC Schaffhausen are auctioning one-of-a-kind watches. Obtainable for the highest bidders are two of Eileen Gu’s IWC watches that feature a unique engraving and have a special connection to the 20-year-old sporting star.  
 

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” turns heads with its 44-millimetre case made from hard and scratch-resistant white ceramic. This was the watch Eileen Gu wore for her first IWC photoshoot after she was made a brand ambassador for the Schaffhausen-based watch manufacturer in 2021. The design is inspired by the wintry landscape around the freshwater Lake Tahoe, which is where Eileen first took to her skis as a little girl.  
 

The second watch is the Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34. This classically elegant Portofino in stainless steel with a deep blue dial is studded with 66 diamonds. This is the watch that Eileen wore when she was named “World Action Sportsperson of the Year” at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards Gala in Paris this May. There, she also met Laureus Chairman Edwin Moses and had the opportunity to speak with him about the foundation.  
 

“The white ceramic Pilot’s Watch Chronograph represents more than just the start of my journey with IWC Schaffhausen. The Lake Tahoe Edition also reminds me of the place where I discovered and nurtured my love for skiing. Since then, sports have taught me so much and altered my life in profound ways: they have taught me confidence, resilience, sportsmanship, and creativity. The Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 was on my wrist when I received one of the most important awards of my career - Laureus’ Action Sportsperson of the Year. I hope that by auctioning off these pieces, we can make a contribution to the Laureus Foundation’s impactful philanthropic mission of supporting underserved young people through the power of sport,” explains Eileen Gu. 
 

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” and the Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 are engraved on the back with Eileen’s signature, making the two watches exclusive and unique timepieces. Alongside the watches, IWC and Eileen are auctioning a pair of freestyle skis in “Lake Tahoe” design from Swiss ski brand Faction Collective and a skiing weekend for two in the winter sports resort of Laax in Grisons, Switzerland.

DESIGN A WATCH AND DO GOOD AT THE SAME TIME

A first for Switzerland, IWC is also bringing its personalisation service for the Portugieser to the Zurich Convention Center. Guests will have the opportunity to visit a special stand in the foyer, where they can put together their version of the Portugieser Chronograph. As well as cases made from stainless steel or 18-carat 5N gold, there is a choice of 16 dial colours specially developed for this service. Every watch ordered will have “LCN 2023” printed on the see-through case back as a reminder of the special event. IWC will donate 3000 Swiss francs to the Laureus Foundation Switzerland for each stainless steel watch sold and 5000 Swiss francs for every 18-carat 5N gold watch sold.

LAUREUS FOUNDATION SWITZERLAND

The aim of the Laureus Foundation Switzerland is to enable children and young people to live a positive life full of self-determination through sports. Beyond sports and its associated values, Laureus also systematically promotes the integration and personal development of the young, as well as their physical and mental well-being. The main focus is not on achievement but rather on enjoying sports and shared experiences. The foundation helps young people who need support – regardless of their gender, ethnicity, religion, social class or health issues.  
 

Laureus supports over 23,000 children in Switzerland through seven charitable sports projects each year. The dedication of around 30 Swiss ambassadors, including cycling legend Fabian Cancellara, track athlete Mujinga Kambundji, skier Marco Odermatt and schwinger wrestler Christian Stucki, is a wonderful source of inspiration for all the children and young people involved. The Laureus Foundation Switzerland was established in 2006 by IWC Schaffhausen in collaboration with Mercedes Benz as part of the international Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

Every year, IWC Schaffhausen and Laureus Sport for Good join forces for the IWC Drawing Competition. The competition offers young people from more than 300 Laureus-supported programmes worldwide the opportunity to use their creativity to create a piece of artwork under a specific theme. For the 2022 edition, the theme was ‘Time for the Planet,’ and 15-year-old João Paulo won the public vote. 
 

With a focus on the environment and climate change, João Paulo’s winning drawing shows people hugging each other around the planet, illustrating togetherness without discrimination and prejudice. It was through sport that João Paulo learned that lesson, saying, “I really enjoy playing football and playing with my friends. That’s what motivated me to draw the picture and take part in the competition.” 
 

Brazilian football legend, Cafu, and the most decorated Brazilian paralympic swimmer, Daniel Dias, visited the Instituto Bola Pra Frente to congratulate João Paulo. Celebrating his competition win with the two Laureus Academy Members, other youths from the programme, and guests, the day was filled with football and other group activities, perfectly exemplifying IWC’s longstanding partnership with Laureus. A global partner of Laureus since 2005, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer supports the organisation in its mission to use the power of sport to transform the lives of disadvantaged youths around the globe.

Located in northern Rio de Janeiro, Instituto Bola Pra Frente is a programme supported by Laureus. Portuguese for ‘pass the ball forward,’ Bola Pra Frente was founded in 2000 by World Cup winning football legend, Jorginho. The programme uses sports, cultural literacy, and education to develop general knowledge, healthy living, and socio-emotional skills and promote citizenship within its community. 
 

Laureus Academy Member Cafu said: “The programmes supported by Laureus Sport for Good are always about more than sport, and this wonderful competition gives these young people a chance to express themselves in a different way. I was really impressed with João Paulo, not just his art, but his character, too. I hope that winning this competition encourages him to do more with his special talent, and that it opens up opportunities for him in the future.”

LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD 

Laureus is a global movement that uses the power of sport to transform the lives of children and young people. In 2000, Laureus’ founding patron Nelson Mandela said, “sport has the power to change the world”, and these words have become the philosophy of Laureus and the driving force behind its work. Since 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has used the power of sport to overcome violence, discrimination, and inequality, changing the lives of over six and a half million children and young people. Laureus currently supports more than 300 programmes in over 40 countries and territories.

IWC Schaffhausen returns as the official timing partner of this year’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. This marks the third consecutive year that the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer partners with the Championship that takes place from 5^th October to 8^th October 2023. Professional golfers and amateurs alike play side by side, creating a lively atmosphere, camaraderie, and sportsmanship like no other tournament. Amongst this year’s professional players are IWC Brand Ambassadors, Laurie Canter and Dean Burmester.

On the oceanfront courses in Scotland, Canter has been wearing the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” (Ref. IW389105). The 44.5-millimetre chronograph has a white ceramic case, white rubber strap and contrasting pitch-black dial. Burmester has been sporting the 41-millimetre Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN “Oceana” (Ref. IW389404). Perfectly complementing the surrounding landscape, the monochromatic timepiece features a rich blue ceramic case with a matching dial and rubber strap with a denim inlay. Golf is a game of precision and concentration where every move is carefully calculated, making these chronographs the excellent performance companions. Both timepieces are powered by the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre that is engineered with focus on robustness, reliability, and durability. With their bold, luminescent hands and numerals, they also offer enhanced readability at all hours of the day.

ALFRED DUNHILL LINKS CHAMPIONSHIP 

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is a pinnacle golfing event. With its unique format, it is a magnet for golfers and spectators from every corner of the globe. Played over three magnificent courses – the Old Course at St Andrews, the Championship Course at Carnoustie, and the Kingsbarns Golf Links – the tournament includes two separate competitions. One competition is an individual professional tournament for the world’s leading golfers with a US$5 million prize fund. The other one is a team competition where some of the world’s most celebrated amateur golfers are each paired with one of the professionals. In addition to the prize fund, the Championship also raises substantial funds for charitable causes.

Lewis Hamilton is not only one of the most accomplished athletes in motorsport, but he has also earned a reputation for his distinctive personal style and iconic outfits. The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team driver often pushes the boundaries with his fashion choices, embracing bold colours, patterns, and original designs. The IWC brand ambassador has now joined forces with IWC Chief Design Officer Christian Knoop and his team again to design his third special edition timepiece.

The Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton (Ref. IW394008) features a 43.5-millimetre case made of platinum, the rarest, purest and most precious of all metals. The whitish sheen of platinum perfectly complements the rich tealcoloured dial embellished with 12 sparkling diamonds. With slightly recessed displays for the chronograph and the retrograde date, the elaborately finished dial has a sculptural look. It also features the seven-time F1™ world champions’s logo, resembling a panther’s eyes. The timepiece is fitted on a matching textile strap with a folding clasp.

The eye-catcher on the dial is the flying hacking minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock. French for “whirlwind”, the tourbillon consists of the balance wheel rotating around its axis in a small cage. Not only does this constant rotation provide a visual spectacle on the dial but it also reduces the influence of gravity on the oscillating system, increasing the watch’s accuracy. Thanks to the integrated tourbillon stop, the mechanism can be brought to a complete halt, allowing the wearer to set the time with down-to-the-second accuracy. Consisting of 56 individual parts and weighing in at only 0.675 grams, the delicate mechanism is incredibly challenging for a watchmaker to assemble.

The Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph is powered by the IWC-manufactured 89900 calibre, which also features a chronograph function. The stopped hours and minutes are displayed on one counter at 12 o’clock, making the elapsed time easy and intuitive to read. Another feature is the retrograde date display. The pallet lever and escape wheel are made of silicone and feature a diamond coating. This so-called Diamond Shell^®, technology reduces friction and improves the flow of energy in the movement, contributing to a generous power reserve of 68 hours. The movement components such as the bridges are gold-plated and can be admired through the sapphire glass back. This marks the first time IWC has produced a gold-plated movement since the legendary “Il Destriero Scafusia” from 1993.

THE THIRD SPECIAL EDITION SINCE 2014 

The Portugieser Tourbillon Rétrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton is the third timepiece designed in a collaboration between IWC and Lewis Hamilton. The first was the Ingenieur Chronograph Edition Lewis Hamilton (Ref. IW379602) with a titanium case and bracelet in 2014. On the case back, this edition featured a piece of carbon fibre from an original racing car. In 2019, Hamilton and IWC joined forces again to create the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Lewis Hamilton” (Ref. IW503002). This Big Pilot’s Watch combined a black ceramic case and a Burgundy dial with a crown and case-back ring made of 18-carat 5N gold.

The Big Pilot’s Watch from IWC Schaffhausen and the G-Class from Mercedes-Benz share a similar history and are deeply rooted in a utilitarian legacy. Both were initially developed to meet purely functional criteria – one to be easy to read and highly robust, the other to offer uncompromising offroad capabilities. Over the years, they have retained their utilitarian beginnings and evolved into modern design icons at the same time. After nearly 20 years of partnership with Mercedes-AMG, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer now celebrates these icons with two striking special editions of the Big Pilot’s Watch.

The Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 (Ref. IW501201) boasts a case and crown made of 18-carat Armor Gold^®, a black dial and a black rubber strap with microfibre inlay. The black and gold colour code is inspired by the exterior paintwork and interior finishing of the recently launched Mercedes-AMG G 63 “Grand Edition”. Armor Gold^® is an innovative alloy that elevates the hardness values of gold to a whole new level and makes this comparatively soft, precious metal much more resistant to external influences. Thanks to an improved microstructure, this special alloy is significantly harder and more wear-resistant than conventional 5N gold. The combination of sand-blasted surfaces and polished edges lends this Big Pilot’s Watch a classy, contemporary character.

The Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 (Ref. IW506201) is the first IWC timepiece to feature a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) case, engineered in close collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). Unlike conventional carbon fibre-reinforced polymers, the fibres of this composite material are embedded in a matrix of ceramic rather than polymer. Therefore, CMC components are extremely damage-tolerant. Because they are also insensitive to thermal shocks, they are the material of choice for applications with extremely high requirements in terms of lightness, strength, and temperature resistance – from aerospace to the manufacturing of brake discs for sports and luxury cars.

A HIGHLY COMPLEX MANUFACTURING PROCESS

The starting point for manufacturing a CMC watch case is a conventional carbon-fibre reinforced polymer. In a heat treatment called pyrolysis, lasting several days, the polymer matrix is converted to carbon, leaving behind a dense weave of fibres embedded in a porous carbon matrix. Subsequently, silicon crystals are placed on top of the component, and everything is heated in an oven. During this so-called siliconisation, silicon is pulled into the cavities and chemically reacts with the carbon, forming a new matrix made of silicon carbide ceramic. After finishing with diamond tools, the CMC cases exhibit a matte black colour and a unique structure determined by the fibres, making each piece truly unique.

REVISITING SIGNATURE G-CLASS DESIGN CUES 

In addition to the Big Pilot’s characteristic power reserve display at 3 o’clock, both new editions feature a small second counter at 9 o’clock. The opposing subdials with external white rings imitate the typical headlights on the front side of the G-Class. The black dials are embossed with a relief-like technical structure inspired by the air intakes of Mercedes-AMG performance cars. Unlike the classic Big Pilot’s Watch, which has printed numerals and indices, these special editions feature appliques that have been PVD-coated in black and filled with luminous material.

HIGH-END IWC-MANUFACTURED MOVEMENT INSIDE 

Both versions of the Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 are powered by the IWC-manufactured 52010 calibre, a highly robust and precise automatic movement. Parts of the winding system that are subject to particularly high stress are manufactured from virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic. Developed by IWC’s former Technical Director Albert Pellaton during the 1940s, the ingenious self-winding mechanism uses even the smallest movements of the rotor in both directions to build up a power reserve of seven days in two barrels..The movements are visible through tinted sapphire glass back, which feature a Mercedes-Benz star and are reminiscent of the spare wheel cover on the backside of the G-Class. 

The Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 editions in 18-carat Armor Gold^® and in CMC are available through IWC boutiques or online at IWC.com. In addition, the timepieces are eligible for registration under the My IWC care program, benefitting from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

IWC Schaffhausen has always been committed to supporting sports and encouraging people to feel the extraordinary value and charm of sports and competition. Yesterday, brand ambassador Eileen Gu visited IWC’s flagship boutique in Taikoo Hui Mall for a conversation about their shared values, appreciation for sports and visions for future generations. During the talk, she explained the common denominators between sports and IWC’s engineering of timepieces – both deeply rooted in passion and pursuit for excellence. 
 

“Sport is a unique avenue for people to connect through a shared passion, to break limits and to improve their self confidence, resilience, and creativity – for kids and girls in particular. It is a cause that is integral to building a better future, and one that my IWC family believes in just as much as I do,” stated Eileen Gu.
 

Ned Wills, Managing Director of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation joined the talk and congratulated Eileen on her recently winning the “Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year” award at the 2023 Laureus World Sports Awards. He shared more about the work of Laureus Sport for Good and the organisation’s long-term partnership with IWC. Valuable insights were also given by him, highlighting the importance of solidarity for a better future. “When forward-thinking people and organisations like Eileen Gu, IWC and Laureus unite, they can ignite real change for not only the sports community but also a better future for all. We can achieve greatness alone – but together, anything is possible,” said Ned Wills. 
 

After the talk, they explored the boutique together with other distinguished guests. Spanning over 300 m2, it is the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s largest flagship boutique. From the collection displays and Portugieser Chronograph customisation studio to the Airspeeder Mixed Reality flight and the Big Pilot Bar, the boutique allows visitors to become fully immersed in the IWC universe. Alongside IWC’s Pilot’s Watches, Portugieser and Portofino collections, the IWC Laureus special edition timepieces are displayed. Since 2006, IWC has issued special edition timepieces in honour of Laureus Sport for Good.
 

Eileen appeared wearing the IWC Portofino Automatic Moon Phase 37 (Ref. IW659602). At just 37.1 millimetres, the elegant timepiece has an 18 carat 5N gold case, diamond-set bezel and moon phase display. It is powered by the IWC-manufactured 32800 calibre with a 120-hour power reserve which can be admired through the sapphire glass back. Perfectly complementing the case, it has a traceable taupe-coloured Swiss calfskin strap featuring the quick-change system.

EILEEN GU 

After taking home two gold and one silver medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics, freeskier Eileen Gu became the only action sports athlete to win three medals at the same Olympic games. This made her the youngest freeski Olympic Gold medallist in history. The teenager’s achievements on snow also include a slew of other record-breaking performances, including being the first snowsport athlete to ever win three medals at both the 2021 XGames and FIS World Championships. Eileen was also the first female freeskier to land a double cork 1440 and unnatural double cork 1620 in competition. 
 

Eileen uses her voice to help foster cultural understanding and friendship through sports. As an ambassador for freeskiing in the US, China, and worldwide, she hopes to inspire young people, especially girls, to build confidence, break their own boundaries, and lead happier, healthier lives through sport. Named one of the TIME100 List of Most Influential People of 2022, Eileen has also been recognised for her efforts with the Vogue Aurora Award for female empowerment and the SuperELLE Youth Idol Award. As a cross-cultural bridge between the US and China, Eileen serves as a Global Ambassador for the Salt Lake City 2030 Olympic Bid. She has been a keynote speaker at the espnW Women in Sport Summit, received the “Next Gen” Award from Apex for Youth Organization and been named a Global Ambassador by the Asia Society of Southern California. Eileen is an accomplished student and fashion model with covers on Vogue, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and L’Officiel, among others, and is recognised by the honour society for finishing her first year as a full-time undergraduate student at Stanford.

LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD FOUNDATION 

Laureus is a global movement that uses the power of sport to transform the lives of children and young people. In 2000, Laureus’ founding patron Nelson Mandela said, “sport has the power to change the world”, and these words have become the philosophy of Laureus and the driving force behind its work. Since 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has used the power of sport to overcome violence, discrimination and inequality, changing the lives of over six and half million children and young people. The foundation currently supports more than 300 programmes in over 40 countries and territories.

To celebrate ten years of partnership between IWC Schaffhausen and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team, Toto Wolff visited the IWC Manufakturzentrum and headquarters in Schaffhausen. The Team Principal & CEO was greeted by IWC CEO Chris Grainger-Herr and given an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of this state-of-the-art production facility. IWC’s new Manufakturzentrum was inaugurated in 2018 to mark the company’s 150th anniversary. Since then, IWC combines components-making, movement assembly and case-making under one roof. The whole process, from raw metal to finished watch movement or case, is organised in logical and sequential steps and can be experienced in a completely transparent way. After the tour, Toto Wolff and Chris Grainger-Herr appeared for a “Leadership Talk” in front of IWC employees, covering various topics such as career and skills development. They also shared insights into their life stories and discussed overcoming challenges. Finally, both partners shared more details about their sustainability journeys.

“There are many parallels between the world of F1 and luxury watchmaking; engineering excellence, technical innovation, and attention to detail among others. In IWC Schaffhausen, we have a partner that not only share these qualities but also has a passion for sustainability, a desire to deliver a positive societal impact, and provide opportunities for future generations. These attributes have been key cornerstones of our long-standing partnership and it was fantastic to see them all in action at the Manufakturzentrum in Schaffhausen today. It’s always a pleasure to be given an insight into the inner workings of our official engineering partner, talk with employees, and mark our 10th anniversary together,” said Toto Wolff.

TEN YEARS OF SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP

IWC became the official engineering partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team in 2013. The partnership is one of the longest collaborations between a Swiss luxury watch manufacturer and a team from the elite class of motorsport. The collaboration is based on many shared values, such as a mutual passion for engineering excellence, precision, and attention to detail. Moreover, F1^TM and watchmaking are both “team sports,” where the final result depends on the contributions of many skilled individuals.

A SYMBOL OF TEAM PERFORMANCE

To mark the occasion of the second Miami Grand Prix^TM, IWC has just released a dedicated version of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team on a Miami Pink rubber strap. Eye-catching details in the same colour were also featured on the shoes and gloves of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell during the race weekend. The team watch comes in a bundle with the Miami Pink and the original green rubber strap and is available exclusively online on iwc.com for a limited time only.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE TEAM

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One^TM Team is the works team of Mercedes-Benz, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula OneTM World Championship. Formula OneTM is like nothing else in the sporting sphere. It’s a demanding technical and human challenge, combining cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management, and elite teamwork. At Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula  One^TM Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture, and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and young star George Russell. The team has set a new benchmark for F1TM success during the sport’s current Hybrid era, winning consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the Constructors’ Championship in 2021. During those title-winning seasons, the team has scored 111 wins, 232 podium finishes, 118 pole positions, 81 fastest laps and 53 one-two finishes from 160 race starts.

Every year, Laureus celebrates the achievements of the most outstanding sportswomen and sportsmen at the Laureus World Sports Awards. First held in 2000, the event honours the greatest sporting triumphs of the year. The shortlists for the seven categories are created by votes from more than 1000 sports media, and the winners are selected through secret ballot votes by the members of the Laureus World Sports Academy – an illustrious group of sporting legends. Taking place at the Pavillon Vendôme in Paris, the ceremony marked the return to a physical format after two years of virtual presentations due to the global pandemic. During the event, Eileen Gu wore the Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 with a charming day & night complication. 

EILEEN GU HANDED OVER A SPECIAL MEDAL

Ahead of the award show, Eileen Gu handed over a special medal to Edwin Moses, Chairman of Laureus Sport for Good US. The Olympic legend took the medal on behalf of Olivia Époupa, who could not be there in-person, to highlight her impressive achievements in basketball. A professional basketball player in the FIBA EuroLeague Women today, Olivia Époupa is a former participant in the Laureus-supported “Paris Basket 18” programme. The programme uses basketball to empower young girls and women, give them more self-confidence and enhance their education. Eileen Gu created the medal during her recent visit to the IWC Manufakturzentrum in Schaffhausen, utilising the same sophisticated processes IWC employs to manufacture its high-quality mechanical timepieces.

ANOTHER MILESTONE IN AN INCREDIBLE CAREER

Laureus created the “Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year” award to honour outstanding achievements of athletes from the world of action sports. At 18, Eileen Gu became the youngest Olympic champion in freestyle skiing after winning three medals at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The teenager’s achievements on snow also include a slew of other record-breaking performances, including being the first snowsport athlete to ever win three medals at both the 2021 XGames and FIS World Championships. She was the first female freeskier to land a double cork 1440 and unnatural double cork 1620 in competition. 

But Eileen Gu is not only an accomplished athlete. She is also a successful fashion model and a student of science at the renowned Stanford University in California. Thanks to her unique combination of skills, passion and determination, Eileen Gu is the perfect embodiment of a modern, multifaceted woman and an inspiring role model for girls and young women worldwide.

LAUREUS USES THE POWER OF SPORT TO DO GOOD

In addition to honouring the most outstanding athletes of the year, the Laureus World Sports Awards also shine a spotlight on the work of the Laureus Sport for Good, a global movement that uses the power of sport to transform the lives of young people. The foundation currently supports more than 300 programmes in over 40 countries and territories. IWC has been a global partner of Laureus Sport for Good since 2005. The partnership with Laureus underscores the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s commitment to community engagement and having a positive impact on society.

LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD FOUNDATION 

Laureus is a global movement that uses the power of sport to transform the lives of children and young people. In 2000, Laureus’ founding patron Nelson Mandela said, “sport has the power to change the world”, and these words have become the philosophy of Laureus and the driving force behind its work. Since 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has used the power of sport to overcome violence, discrimination and inequality, changing the lives of over six and half million children and young people. The foundation currently supports more than 300 programmes in over 40 countries and territories.

Celebrating ten years of partnership, IWC Schaffhausen and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team hosted a “courtside talk” on the IWC basketball court at Jungle Plaza. The talk kicked off the race weekend and marked the final event organized during IWC’s multi-day takeover of this spectacular outdoor venue in the Miami Design District. Jérôme D’Ambrosio, a former professional racing driver, is responsible for developing the team’s roster of young drivers in different racing categories. During the talk, he offered fascinating insights into how the team identifies and develops young talents.

While elaborating on the importance of team performance and shared values with IWC, D’Ambrosio wore the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team on a “Miami Pink” rubber strap. Team members in Miami will also wear the chronograph on this strap throughout the race weekend, and pink details will also feature prominently on Lewis Hamilton’s and George Russell’s racing shoes and gloves. The official team watch in a bundle with a “Miami Pink” and a green rubber strap is available exclusively online and for a limited time.

ABOUT JÉRÔME D’AMBROSIO

Jerome D’Ambrosio started his career as a professional racing driver in Karting. He later competed in Formula 2, Formula 1 and Formula E. After retiring from the cockpit, he became the Team Principal of a Formula E Team. In March 2023, he was appointed Driver Development Director at the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE TEAM

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is the works team of Mercedes-AMG, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula One™ World Championship. 

Formula One is a sport like no other. Combining elite teamwork, cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and exceptional driving skill, teams develop race cars capable of competing against their rivals in a high-octane environment that spans upwards of 20 races across five continents throughout each season. 

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, based across Technology Centers at Brackley and Brixworth in the United Kingdom, brings together over 1,000 dedicated and determined people that design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and Grand Prix winner, George Russell. 

Winning seven consecutive double Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships from 2014 to 2020 and securing a record-breaking eighth consecutive Constructors’ Championship success in 2021, the Team is one of the most successful in the sport’s history. 

Between returning as a Constructor in 2010 and the end of the 2022 season, the Mercedes-AMG works team has scored 116 wins, 264 podium finishes, 12  pole positions, 91 fastest laps and 54 one-two finishes from 259 race starts.

On the second day at Jungle Plaza, IWC teamed up with Laureus Sport for Good and Dibia DREAM to organize a day focused on empowering girls. IWC has been a global partner of Laureus since 2005, supporting its mission to use the power of sport to help young people around the world. During the day, Dibia DREAM organized different activities for children involving recreational education in sciences, technology-related fields, engineering and mathematics (STEM). IWC then invited representatives from Laureus to an inspirational talk about empowering the next generation through STEM education. They were joined on stage by Jagger Eaton, two-time skateboarding World Champion and Olympic Medalist. Jagger Eaton was recently announced as the newest brand ambassador.

During the discussion hosted by Rachelle Patel, the Laureus USA Director of Marketing & Partnerships, Jagger Eaton revealed the inspiration he received from the day’s activities with kids. Known for his raw talent, perseverance and confidence, the young athlete talked about how skateboarding taught him the essential life lesson to get right back up after a fall and try again. Drawing on his ability to always believe in himself and never give up, Jagger Eaton won the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games in Men’s Skateboarding Street despite competing with a broken ankle.

Olympic legend Edwin Moses, a founding member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, then shared more information about the work of Laureus Sport for Good and the organization’s long-term partnership with IWC. Valuable insights were also added by Rachelle Patel, who highlighted the importance of educational projects for underserved youth and explained Laureus’ support for Dibia DREAM. After the talk, Jagger Eaton gave the kids on site a demonstration of his skateboarding skills and answered their questions.

Jagger Eaton and IWC share many core values, such as their dedication to pushing the limits of what can be achieved. Understanding the impact that his family’s skatepark had on his own career, Jagger Eaton is fully committed to community give-back initiatives and wants to make skateboarding more accessible to kids. IWC also believes in investing in strong, healthy communities and empowering young people. Community engagement, therefore, forms an integral part of IWC’s sustainability efforts.

LAUREUS

Laureus is a global movement that uses the power of sport to transform the lives of children and young people. In 2000, Laureus’ founding patron Nelson Mandela said ‘sport has the power to change the world’, and these words have become the philosophy of Laureus and the driving force behind its work. Since 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has used the power of sport to overcome violence, discrimination and inequality, changing the lives of over six and half million children and young people. Laureus Sport for Good currently supports more than 275 programmes in over 50 countries and territories.

DIBIA DREAM 

Founded in 2014, Dibia DREAM provides a safe place after school, on the weekends and in the summer with caring, responsible role models and engaging activities. Dibia DREAM was created to spark social change through hands-on, engaging STEM education for historically underserved youth and their families. Over 40,000 scholars worldwide have engaged with the nonprofit in-person or online. Its programs use STEM and sports as instruments to teach life skills and promote mentorship, active participation, and exposure to diverse opportunities through its 5 pillar program. The goal is to enrich youth across the world through transformative experiences. 

IWC Schaffhausen celebrates its return to Miami with a takeover of Jungle Plaza in the city’s Design District. For the “IWC Chrono Challenge,” the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer created a spectacular set-up with a full-sized basketball court. In the background, a giant mural depicts IWC brand ambassador Lewis Hamilton wearing the just-announced Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team watch featuring a Miami Pink rubber strap.

The “IWC Chrono Challenge” marked the first of several events at this impressive outdoor venue and saw two teams competing against each other in three different basketball skill challenges. “Team Pink” was led by seven-time Formula One™ world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, who was joined by IWC brand ambassador and American actor James Marsden and former professional football player Antrel Rolle. Canadian actor and author Simu Liu, IWC brand ambassador and American Olympic skateboarder Jagger Eaton and Dibia DREAM founder and CEO Brandon Okpalobi formed the opposing “Team Green.”

THREE BASKETBALL SKILL CHALLENGES

In the first challenge, players had to dribble and jump towards the basket, trying to achieve as many layups as possible in 60 seconds. Next, the competitors attempted to score as many free throws as they could in a 30-seconds beat-the-buzzer challenge. Finally, two players took turns shooting from several defined spots on the court. For each ball landing in the basket, they received one letter to spell out the word “Chrono” – a playful reference to the recently-launched chronograph. F1™ legend David Coulthard hosted the event, supported by former college basketball athlete and Laureus USA Program Officer Tiffany Aidoo. IWC brand ambassador and Hollywood actress Monica Barbaro was responsible for keeping the score and the exact timekeeping of the challenges. 

On the court, the players of “Team Pink” were wearing the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team featuring a Miami Pink rubber strap. IWC recently introduced this eye-catching new strap color in a bundle with the green strap to celebrate its return to Miami and also ten years of longstanding collaboration with the team. Pink details will also be featured on the driver’s gloves and shoes during race weekend. “Team Green” sported the chronograph on a green rubber strap. The timepiece in a light and rigid grade 5 titanium case was originally launched at last year’s Miami Grand Prix™ in a bundle with a green rubber strap and a black calfskin strap, It is the first official team watch IWC has produced for its partner, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team.

IWC AND DIBIA DREAM

For the basketball challenge, IWC once again collaborated with Dibia DREAM, a nonprofit organization sparking social change through STEM education and sport for underserved young people in Miami. IWC has been supporting Dibia DREAM since 2022 through their global partnership with Laureus. Kids from Dibia DREAM programs participated in the warm-up and supported the players as ball girls and boys during the challenge.

The IWC basketball court will remain on Jungle Plaza until Friday. During the takeover, members of the public can register for Basketball Clinics. Dibia DREAM will also organize different educational activities for children. Following the event in Miami, IWC will donate the basketball court to Dibia DREAM and the City of Miami. In addition, IWC will be using a systemized approach to repurpose the mural vinyl into new products such as tote bags, that will be donated to the community and employees.

DIBIA DREAM 

Founded in 2014, Dibia DREAM provides a safe place after school, on the weekends and in the summer with caring, responsible role models and engaging activities. Dibia DREAM was created to spark social change through hands-on, engaging STEM education for historically underserved youth and their families. Over 40,000 scholars worldwide have engaged with the nonprofit in-person or online. Its programs use STEM and sports as instruments to teach life skills and promote mentorship, active participation, and exposure to diverse opportunities through its 5 pillar program. The goal is to enrich youth across the world through transformative experiences. 

LAUREUS 

Laureus is a global movement that uses the power of sport to transform the lives of children and young people. In 2000, Laureus’ founding patron Nelson Mandela said ‘sport has the power to change the world’, and these words have become the philosophy of Laureus and the driving force behind its work. Since 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has used the power of sport to overcome violence, discrimination and inequality, changing the lives of over six and half million children and young people. Laureus Sport for Good currently supports more than 275 programmes in over 50 countries and territories.

IWC Schaffhausen became the official engineering partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team in 2013. This year, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer celebrates ten years of partnership. As the motorsport’s elite gathers in Florida for the second Miami Grand Prix™ this weekend, IWC proudly presents the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team watch with a Miami Pink rubber strap. The chronograph is the first official team watch IWC has produced for its partner and pays tribute to the passion and determination of the team’s designers, aerodynamicists, race engineers, strategists and mechanics. The pink strap perfectly matches the team’s appearance at the Miami International Autodrome, where eye-catching pink details will be featured on the gloves and shoes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. The team watch on the pink strap will also be worn by team members present at the race in Miami.

A CHRONOGRAPH IN A MOTORSPORT-INSPIRED MATERIAL

Introduced at the first Miami Grand Prix™ a year ago, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team is crafted from remarkably rigid grade 5 titanium. IWC pioneered this material in the watch industry during the 1980s, when the company introduced the first wristwatch with a titanium case and bracelet. Offering the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metal, titanium is about 45 percent lighter than steel. It is also widely used in automotive engineering to manufacture components subject to extreme stains, such as engine valves. In addition, titanium impresses with its corrosion-resistance and skin-friendliness. A black dial with printing and luminescence in the team’s signature PETRONAS green complements the striking design. The chronograph is powered by the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre movement. This robust chronograph movement in a column-wheel design comprises 242 parts and can be viewed through the sapphire glass back. Its bi-directional pawl winding system builds up a power reserve of 46  hours in the mainspring. 

The existing version of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team (Ref. IW388108) on a green rubber strap comes in a bundle with a black calfskin strap and will continue to be available online. The new reference on the Miami Pink rubber strap (Ref. IW388114) comes in a bundle with the green strap and can only be purchased online on IWC.com and in the Miami boutique for a limited time. Thanks to the integrated EasX-CHANGE® system, the straps can be exchanged quickly and easily, without needing additional tools.

In addition, both timepieces are eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and can benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE TEAM 

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team is the works team of Mercedes-AMG, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula One™ World Championship. 

Formula One is a sport like no other. Combining elite teamwork, cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and exceptional driving skill, teams develop race cars capable of competing against their rivals in a high-octane environment that spans upwards of 20 races across five continents throughout each season. 

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, based across Technology Centres at Brackley and Brixworth in the United Kingdom, brings together over 1,000 dedicated and determined people that design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and Grand Prix winner, George Russell. 

Winning seven consecutive double Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships from 2014 to 2020 and securing a record-breaking eighth consecutive Constructors’ Championship success in 2021, the Team is one of the most successful in the sport’s history. 

Between returning as a Constructor in 2010 and the end of the 2022 season, the Mercedes-AMG works team has scored 116 wins, 264 podium finishes, 12  pole positions, 91 fastest laps and 54 one-two finishes from 259 race starts.

IWC Schaffhausen has a long-standing passion for motorsport and racing – and that passion extends even beyond the physical racetrack. When announcing a multi-year extension of its partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team earlier this year, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer also became a sponsor of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Esports Team. The partners have since joined forces to organise the virtual “iRacing Esports Sim Challenge,” marking the opening of IWC’s new boutique in London.

The challenge consisted of two teams racing each other virtually on the Silverstone racetrack. One team was coached prior to the event by Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team driver George Russell, the other one by Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Esports Team driver Jarno Opmeer. Preceding the event was an extensive qualifying session, during which interested motorsport fans could win a place on one of the two teams. During the first phase in October, gaming enthusiasts from around the United Kingdom competed in two online events to secure their position on the virtual grid. The last phase of qualifying then took place from December 5th to 7th at the Battersea Power Station boutique, where gamers could test their driving skills in an official Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Esports simulator.

MANY GUESTS CHEERED FOR THE PLAYERS AT THE BOUTIQUE

Among the guests attending the event were motorsport presenter and content creator Emma Walsh, presenter and content creator Harry Pinero, poet and BBC Radio London presenter LionHeart, IWC-CEO Chris Grainger-Herr and Grant Wilson, IWC’s Brand Director for the United Kingdom. Jarno Opmeer, Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Esports Team driver and two-time F1™ Esports Pro Series Drivers’ Champion was also present to cheer for the participants. A global audience followed the virtual racing action on the interactive live-streaming platform Twitch. The members of the winning team will be invited to a Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ factory tour and simulator experience in Brackley. In addition, the player with the fastest recorded lap received a Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team,” the first official team watch IWC developed for its partner.

NEW IWC BOUTIQUE IN AN ICONIC LONDON LANDMARK

The challenge marked the official opening of IWC’s new boutique at the Battersea Power Station, one of London’s most iconic landmarks. Inspired by the IWC Big Pilot, the boutique highlights key aspects such as IWC’s unique engineering approach or comprehensive expertise in advanced materials like ceramics or Ceratanium®. Visitors can discover IWC’s main collections, such as the Pilot’s Watches, the Portugieser, and the Portofino. As a particular highlight, they can put their watchmaking skills to the test assembling an original IWC-manufactured 69000 chronograph movement. Via live stream, a watchmaker from IWC’s headquarters in Schaffhausen, will guide those at the boutique through every step of the complex assembly process.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE™ TEAM

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team is the works team of Mercedes-Benz, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula One™ World Championship. Formula One™ is like nothing else in the sporting sphere. It’s a demanding technical and human challenge, combining cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and elite teamwork. At Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and young star George Russell. The team has set a new benchmark for F1™ success during the sport’s current Hybrid era, winning consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the Constructors’ Championship in 2021. During those title-winning seasons, the team has scored 111 wins, 232 podium finishes, 118 pole positions, 81 fastest laps and 53 one-two finishes from 160 race starts.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS ESPORTS TEAM

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Esports Team is the esports team of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1™ Team. Based on the premises of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, Brackley, a purpose-built esports training centre provides the team’s gamers with world class facilities and state-of-the- art equipment from our Esports partners, to develop their skills, train and compete.

The collaboration between IWC Schaffhausen and Faction brings together two Swiss companies with a proven track record and a high competence in engineering. Both have also acquired unique expertise in advanced performance materials and commit to the highest standards regarding sustainability and responsible production. Faction was founded in 2006 by a group of passionate skiers. Since then, they have earned a reputation for manufacturing high-quality skis and skiing equipment for freeride, freestyle and all-mountain skiing. Several top athletes rely on skis from Faction. Among them is Eileen Gu, IWC Brand Ambassador and Double Olympic Champion.

“Graphic design with a clear and recognisable expression is an important tool for us at IWC to emphasise the engineering expertise and technicality of the brand. Therefore, designing a pair of skis with Faction was a great challenge. As an enthusiastic snowboarder and skier, I thoroughly enjoyed this project and am very proud of the result”, says Nicholas Schmidt, Head of Brand Creation and Corporate Design at IWC Schaffhausen.

“In our collaborations, we always look for partners who can contribute new and surprising aspects and inspire our work. IWC Schaffhausen not only has a unique engineering approach and expertise in advanced material, but their design and visual expression also perfectly match what we do at Faction. I am thrilled to be introducing our first luminescent ski design”, explains Olivier Gouby, Chief Brand Officer of Faction.

Limited to 55 pairs, the “Faction Studio 1 IWC Collab Ltd.” is handmade in Austria in a 100% renewable energy factory. Its wooden core is composed of sustainably harvested poplar and ash. The skis are engineered to the same specifications used by Faction for Eileen Gu’s skis, meaning they can withstand the extreme forces generated by the world’s very best free skiers. A carbon-rubber reinforcement under the binding area adds stability for heavy landings. The carbon weave ensures torsional strength, while the symmetrical shape is optimised for effortless switch skiing. An extra-large 7.5 mm sidewall provides maximum edge hold and protection for the ski’s wooden core.

The skis feature a tone-on-tone white top sheet and a black base, perfectly matching the design of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” with its crisp white ceramic case and pitch-black dial. “FACTION” and their logo is printed in white on the black base. The white top sheet features the IWC and “Lake Tahoe” logos in luminescent paint. While barely visible during the day, they will glow green in the dark. This project marks the first time that Faction has engineered skis featuring a luminescent design.

Every pair of the “Faction Studio 1 IWC Collab Ltd.” skis come with an option to purchase the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” (Ref. IW389105). Launched at the Watches and Wonders exhibition in Geneva in April, the chronograph is a highlight of IWC’s TOP GUN collection. It features a case made of crisp white ceramic, a pitch-black dial, black hands coated with luminescent materials, and a titanium case back. The contrasting design is inspired by the winter landscape around Lake Tahoe, a mountainous area frequently flown over by the pilots in the U.S. Navy’s TOPGUN school. Colored ceramics are created in a complex manufacturing process in which zirconium oxide is mixed with other metallic oxides and then sintered at high temperatures in a kiln. It takes a lot of experience and know-how to determine the right mixture of raw materials and achieve consistent results across the multi-stage manufacturing process.

The “Faction Studio 1 IWC Collab Ltd.” skis are available in a limited edition of 55 pairs in two sizes (25 x 171 cm or 30 x 178 cm) on https://factionskis.com/products/studio-1-iwc-collab-ski-2023. When purchasing the skis, the client will also receive an option from IWC to purchase the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe.”

With its many locations and projects, the Motorworld Group creates attractive marketplaces in the mobility sector. While the idea was first implemented with the creation of “Motorworld Region Stuttgart” in 2009, the family-run business now has ten sites in operation or under construction in Germany, Switzerland, Luxembourg and Spain. The Motorworld locations bring together over 40 of the most exclusive car brands and offer a wide range of automotive services, specialised workshops, lifestyle and accessory shops, entertainment, as well as glass presentation boxes for collector’s cars. The concept also encompasses attractive event locations, conference rooms, hotels and gastronomy concepts.

IWC Schaffhausen and the Motorworld Group share a passion for automotive technology, design and motorsport. As part of the partnership, the Motorworld sites in Munich, Cologne, Stuttgart (Germany) and Kemptthal (Switzerland) have had Big Pilot wall clocks installed. With its iconic design in the style of an easy-to-read cockpit instrument, the Pilot’s Watch from Schaffhausen is a perfect match for the automotivethemed experiences offered by Motorworld.

Several vehicles, which appear at various events, now carry the IWC logo. In addition to selected Mercedes-AMG models from Motorworld’s collection, the logo also features on the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing, which has been the classic car of choice for the IWC Racing Team since 2018.

“In IWC Schaffhausen, we’re gaining one of the most renowned Swiss luxury watchmakers as a watch partner. The brand shows impressive commitment to the automotive and motorsport sectors and we are looking forward to contribute our enthusiasm and extensive know-how to joint projects in the future,” says Andreas Dünkel, Founder and Chair of the Motorworld Group.

IWC has a number of long-standing partnerships in the motorsport sector. The watchmaker has been a partner of Mercedes-AMG since 2004 and has also been the Official Engineering Partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM team since 2013. IWC’s passion for motorsport is rooted in the brand’s long-standing expertise in engineering chronographs, vital instruments for timing split-second finishes in motorsport. The highly precise IWC-manufactured 69000 calibre is one of the most robust and reliable mechanical chronograph movements available on the market.

ABOUT THE MOTORWORLD GROUP

The independent MOTORWORLD Group emerged from the DÜNKEL Holding corporate group based in Schemmerhofen (Baden-Württemberg, Germany). The origins of the family-run company date back to 1930. The Motorworld Group develops, builds and operates experience worlds that are dedicated to mobile passion. The Motorworld Group, which has also received several international awards for its projects, develops, builds and operates worlds of experience dedicated to mobile passion, and as a whole is considered to be the world’s largest brand-neutral centre for classic cars and sports cars. With over 40 of the world’s most valuable and exclusive vehicle brands, it brings together the brand who’s who of the entire mobility industry.

The first location was Motorworld Region Stuttgart in Böblingen, which opened in 2009 and has since been expanded several times, winning several national and international awards along the way. Further projects and activities under the MOTORWORLD® brand have been initiated in recent years. Following on with the same concept as Motorworld Region Stuttgart, Motorworld Köln-Rheinland opened in June 2018. It is home to one of the most significant collections in motor sport: The private collection of Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher. The impressive Motorworld München opened its doors in May 2021. Other already partially active locations currently at the planning stage or under construction are Motorworld Zeche Ewald-Ruhr, Motorworld Luxembourg and Motorworld Mallorca. Locations in keeping with the Motorworld Manufaktur concept are to be found in Berlin, Metzingen, Rüsselsheim and Zurich. The Motorworld idea also regularly goes on tour, including to the IAA Mobility with the format “IAA Heritage by Motorworld”, to scene events such as the Motorworld Oldtimertage in Fürstenfeld (near Munich), as well as in numerous other guises.

Before motorsport’s elite gather for the final F1 Grand Prix™ race of the 2022 season on Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit, IWC Schaffhausen invited brand ambassador Lewis Hamilton for a ride around Dubai. His driver and tour guide was no other than Alexandra Hirschi, known by millions of car enthusiasts worldwide as “Supercar Blondie.” The Australia-born content creator has been calling Dubai home for many years, which is known as one of the most attractive and exciting destinations around the world for tourism, trade and luxury. Driving down the famous Sheikh Zayed Road and passing many iconic landmarks, the two discussed Dubai’s association with cars and culture while sharing insights into their relationship with the city and recalling their most memorable experiences there.

After arriving at the Dubai Mall, Hamilton was welcomed to the flagship boutique by IWC CEO Chris Grainger- Herr and former F1™ star and brand ambassador David Coulthard. In the entrance area, the 7-time world champion was reunited with the Mercedes-AMG F1™ W12 E Performance, his race car from the 2021 season. The car is exhibited in the boutique, underscoring its strong thematic focus on racing and engineering. The group then walked over to the “Engineering wall”, where they admired a selection of iconic racing watches that IWC created in collaboration with its longstanding motorsport partners. Among these were the “Lewis Hamilton” Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition with a burgundy dial, and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team,” the official team watch that was launched at the Miami GP™ earlier this year. Finally, they headed to the “Big Pilot Café” for a well-deserved pit stop.

THE NEXT LEVEL OF LUXURY WATCH RETAILING

IWC’s innovative “new retail” concept blurs the traditional boundaries between a physical store and a digital experience. Interactive features and services enable visitors to immerse themselves into the IWC universe in an unprecedented way, taking luxury watch retailing to a new level. The first flagship boutique with this concept was opened in September 2020 in Zurich, Switzerland. The centrepiece of “IWC Racing Works” is the IWC Racing Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing,” the official race car of the IWC Racing Team. The Dubai boutique then marked the second “new retail” flagship. Designed in the functional aesthetic of the Big Pilot’s Watch, it was opened in March 2022 and focuses on IWC’s longstanding connection to the worlds of motorsport and racing. For example, the Central Exhibition Area explores IWC’s partnerships with Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes- AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ team, while the Engineering Wall lets visitors deep-dive into IWC’s engineering heritage and comprehensive materials expertise. Just a few weeks ago, IWC opened its third “new retail” flagship boutique at the Taikoo Hui Mall in Shanghai, China.

The Italian racer, affectionally known as ‘Il Dottore’ by fans around the world, retired from motorcycle racing in 2021. During his 26-year career, Rossi won a record-breaking nine World Championships and claimed 235 podiums and 115 race wins. In 2022, the 43-year-old switched to the GT World Challenge Europe, starting a new chapter on four wheels. Just recently, at the Laureus World Sports Awards 2022 in Seville, Rossi received the Laureus Sporting Icon Award, which further underscored the exceptional nature of his career. At the occasion of Laureus Charity Night in Zurich, Rossi will also officially join the IWC family. The Italian athlete has been associated with the brand since last year and also made an appearance at an IWC Signature Talk at Watches and Wonders Geneva in April.

The watch up for auction is the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Ceratanium® (Ref. IW503604). It was worn by Rossi during many of his key milestones. Equipped with IWC’s legendary perpetual calendar, it features a case and bracelet made of Ceratanium®. This IWC-developed performance material is nearly as light and tough as titanium and almost equally as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic. With a case diameter of 46 millimetres, the Big Pilot’s Watch was the perfect fit for Rossi, as he used to race with the number 46. ‘Il Dottore’ will also invite the winning bidder to witness the ‘100km dei Campioni’, a motorcycle race which is held every year at his legendary VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia, Italy.

“This IWC watch has a high personal value for me. I wore it for the first time in Valencia, Spain, during my last MotoGP race. Since then, this unique timepiece has accompanied me in all sporting activities I have experienced during this year of change, and also in everyday life. Whoever takes it home will get an object that has experienced a great number of important and meaningful moments with me,” explains Rossi.

A MASTERPIECE OF HAUTE HORLOGERIE
In addition to auctioning Rossi’s Big Pilot’s Watch, the Laureus Charity Night will also feature a silent auction of one of the most complex watches ever made by IWC Schaffhausen: the Portugieser Tourbillon Hand-Wound (Ref. IW546305). A masterpiece of Haute Horlogerie, it was donated by a collector and long-time friend of the Laureus Foundation Switzerland, whose wish is to support the Foundation’s projects for the advancement of girls. All proceeds from the watch’s auction will go to the Foundation’s programmes focusing on young women.

The timeless and elegant Portugieser model features a 43.2 millimetre case crafted of solid 18-carat 5N gold and a distinctive blue dial with a flying minute tourbillon at 9 o’clock. The balance wheel, pallet and escape wheel are placed in a tiny cage that constantly rotates around its axis, helping to minimise the effects of gravity on the oscillating system. Instead of being held by an upper bridge, the tourbillon is held from one side, allowing a better view of the delicate mechanism, which consists of 56 parts and weighs only 0.635 grams. 

This year’s Laureus Charity Night will take place in Zurich on 5th November and will collect charitable contributions for the further promotion of social sports programmes under the theme of ‘The future is now’.

LAUREUS FOUNDATION SWITZERLAND
The Laureus Foundation Switzerland was founded in 2006 by IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-Benz as part of the international foundation Laureus Sport for Good. It works to enable children and young people to live a positive life of self-determination through sports, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, social class or health issues. Promoting the integration and personal development of the young and their physical and mental well-being, Laureus places its primary focus not on achievement but on enjoying sports and shared experiences. It supports over 20,000 children in Switzerland through charitable sports projects each year.

Mark Ong discovered his passion for customising and painting sneakers during his childhood as a skateboarder. His artistic and craftsmanship skills developed out of a necessity: he used leather, rubber, or even bicycle tires to patch holes in his shoes so he could carry on skating. When Ong couldn’t afford a pair of coloured sneakers one day, he bought a cheaper pair of white ones and started painting them himself. In 2002, he sold his first customised pair online and launched his sneaker customisation label, “SBTG” (short for Sabotage) the following year. Since then, the Singaporean has customised and hand-painted thousands of sneakers and collaborated with many leading brands in the industry. Among his loyal clients are athletes, rock stars, and fashion designers.

Now, Mark Ong and IWC Schaffhausen have teamed up for a unique collaboration based on their shared passion for craftsmanship and design and the attention to detail that both brands put into their work. The outcome is the IWC x SBTG special edition strap. Made of calfskin and available in two different widths, the straps feature the green camouflage pattern, which has become the signature aesthetic element of Ong’s work as a streetwear designer. Another detail paying tribute to the designer’s signature style is the embroidered patch featuring the strap specifications.

“I first became aware of the camouflage motif when I was skateboarding back in the 1990s. It was a defining moment for me, as it gave me inspiration to design streetwear by juxtaposing different elements. Over the years, camouflage-inspired patterns and colours have become synonymous with my work and brand, so it was clear from the onset that we would also incorporate these elements into the strap. We explored many different options and finally found something we were both happy with,” is how Mark Ong recalls the creative process.

The IWC x SBTG special edition strap set is available in two different widths and in limited quantities on IWC.com as of 20th October 2022. In addition to the strap, the complete set also includes a pin buckle, fitting spring bars to assist with mounting the strap on watches that are not equipped with the EasX-CHANGE® system, and a customised box in the signature SBTG camouflage design. Thanks to the IWC EasX-CHANGE® system, the straps can be fitted on many popular IWC Pilot’s Watches. The strap with a width of 20/18mm is suitable for the Pilot’s Watch Mark XX, Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41, Pilot’s Watch Automatic Spitfire, Pilot’s Watch Automatic TOP GUN, and the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII. The strap with a width of 21/18 mm can be fitted on the new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph in 43 mm with EasX-CHANGE® system, the Big Pilot’s Watch 43, the Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph, and most versions of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph with a case diameter of 44.5 mm, for example, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN. Selected IWC boutiques will have the straps available on site to try-on.

The Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is one of the leading golf events and a magnet for golfers from every corner of the globe. Celebrating Links golf at its finest, it is played over three magnificent courses - the Old Course (St Andrews), the Championship Course, Carnoustie (near Dundee) and Kingsbarns Golf Links (7 miles south of St Andrews). With a prize fund of US$5 million, the Alfred Dunhill Links, which raises substantial funds for charity each year, incorporates two separate competitions - an individual Professional Championship for the world's leading golfers and the Team Championship, in which the pro's are paired with amateur players, creating a unique atmosphere and camaraderie. 

Throughout the tournament, Pablo Larrazabal was spotted wearing the Pilot's Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” from IWC's new “Colors of TOP GUN” collection. Richard Sterne was wearing the Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph TOP GUN Ceratanium®. This IWC-developed performance material combines the lightness and structural integrity of titanium with a hardness and scratch resistance similar to ceramic. Playing alongside these IWC brand ambassadors was also Kathryn Newton. The American actress was wearing the Portugieser Chronograph, one of IWC's most iconic and recognizable designs. 

IWC has been at the forefront of watchmaking and innovation for over 150 years. Founded by the American watchmaker and engineer Florentine Ariosto Jones in 1868, the brand has earned a reputation for its unique engineering. IWC creates professional instrument watches and functional complications, with a particular focus on robust chronographs and easy-to-use calendars. In addition, the brand is also known for its unique expertise in advances materials. 

Filling Pieces was founded in 2009 by Guillaume Philibert, as he wanted to design a premium sneaker at a fair price point. He then created the “Low Top,” which bridged the gap between streetwear and high fashion; it became a symbol of affordable luxury design and continues to be one of the Dutch brand’s most iconic silhouettes. Since then, Filling Pieces has grown into an established fashion brand with innovative footwear and a ready-to-wear collection complete with bags, accessories, and eyewear.

The collaboration between IWC Schaffhausen and Filling Pieces is based on a shared passion for craftsmanship, design, creation and color. Championing design as a positive force for change, Filling Pieces has assembled a global network of diverse individuals who move beyond borders to break down social boundaries and create products that bring people together. Diversity and inclusivity are also key pillars of IWC’s sustainability efforts. The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer is proud to join forces with Filling Pieces as they bridge the gaps between streetwear, high fashion and luxury watchmaking.

“There are many points of convergence between our industries, especially when it comes to craftsmanship, culture and creativity. In every design project, we combine part of our history with new influences we pick up from the world around us. Architecture and fashion are often represented in colourful mood boards, and there’s probably not a board without sneakers. It’s exciting to see that our TOP GUN collection inspired Filling Pieces. With this partnership, we celebrate the culture of creation and exchange”, explains Christian Knoop, Chief Design Officer of IWC Schaffhausen.

“We are thrilled to partner with IWC Schaffhausen and bring the best of our brands together in this exciting project. Filling Pieces embodies unity and togetherness and IWC incorporates precision and time. With our collaboration, we demonstrate how our values are intertwined with each other as a fundamental part of life and its expressions”, said Guillaume Philibert, Founder and Creative Director of Filling Pieces.

Over three weeks, the Filling Pieces flagship store in Amsterdam will be transformed into a monochromatic world, inspired by IWC’s newly engineered ceramic color “Woodland.” Both IWC and Filling Pieces will curate distinctive exhibitions. The pop-up space aims to bring together friends and family of both brands. Among the highlights will be panel discussions on various topics related to fashion, metaverse, NFTs and design or watchmaking master classes.

In addition, Guillaume Philibert has designed a limited edition sneaker to celebrate the collaboration. The “Low Top Ghost Woodland” is based on the famous “Low Top”, Filling Piece’s original and iconic silhouette. Its aesthetic details and color codes are inspired by IWC’s Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Chronograph Edition “Woodland,” the first timepiece in newly engineered green ceramic. Featuring the distinct “Woodland” color specified by PANTONE®, other details include a premium perforated nubuck leather upper, stitched Filling Pieces logo and the typical ghost outsole with lasered “X” design cue inspired by the watch strap.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition «Woodland» (Ref. IW389106) was launched as a part of IWC’s “The Colors of TOP GUN” collection at Watches and Wonders 2022 in Geneva. It is the first IWC timepiece in newly engineered green ceramic – a color IWC and PANTONE® have specified as “IWC Woodland”. This shade of green is used for the ceramic case and the dial, while the numerals and hour markers are printed in a lighter hue. Colored ceramics are created in a complex manufacturing process, in which zirconium oxide is mixed with other metallic oxides and then sintered at high temperatures in a kiln. The pushers and case back are made of matte black Ceratanium®. Developed by IWC, this material is as light and robust as titanium and almost as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic. The timepiece is powered by the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre, a robust and reliable chronograph with a column-wheel design.

The in-store launch of the “Low Top Ghost Woodland” is celebrated with a release party on 23rd September at the Filling Pieces flagship store at Spuistraat 168A in 1012 VT Amsterdam. From 23rd September, the shoe will be available online on fillingpieces.com. Only 100 pairs in sizes ranging from 39 to 46 will be available. Customers who purchase a “Low Top Ghost Woodland” will also receive an NFT that introduces owners to the “IWC Diamond Hand Club,” IWC’s exclusive tokenised community in the web3.

FILLING PIECES 

Filling Pieces is a streetwear-inspired luxury brand based in the heart of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Started by Guillaume Philibert in 2009, it was founded on the ambition to design a premium sneaker at a fair price point - leading to the birth of the “Low Top”. The first shoe to bridge the gap between streetwear and high fashion. 

Finding recognition within the industry, the “Low Top” became more than just a piece of footwear. It became a symbol of affordable, luxury design. A product that levelled the playing field. One that proved good design can unify. A sneaker adopted by people of all sexes, races, religions, and sexualities.

It also became a symbol for Philibert’s vision for Filling Pieces, a firm belief in unity through diversity, where design is used as a language to create positive change. Championing the idea that the differences between us as individuals are what make us stronger collectively.

United behind this ethos, a team of passionate young creatives works tirelessly to continue to evolve the brand offerings, whilst diligently overseeing and improving all aspects of their collections in order to reduce environmental impact and create positive change.

These collections have grown to include an assortment of innovative footwear silhouettes and a full ready-to-wear collection complete with bags, accessories and eyewear.

In 2013, IWC Schaffhausen became the Official Engineering Partner of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team. In February 2022, both brands announced a multi-year extension of their partnership. For the first time, the collaboration also extends off-track, as IWC became an official sponsor of the Mercedes- AMG PETRONAS Esports Team. Now, the three partners collaborate to organise their first joint virtual racing event.

The “iRacing Esports Sim Challenge” will be disputed virtually on the Silverstone racetrack. Ahead of the challenge, George Russell and Jarno Opmeer call for potential teammates to join their teams. F1™ and Esports fans from the UK can register and have the unique chance to secure a slot on one of the teams. The final participants will qualify based on their fastest time during a “fastest lap challenge”. The final “iRacing Esports Sim Challenge” will take place on 17th November at the new IWC boutique at the Battersea power station in London and will be broadcasted globally on the live-streaming platform Twitch.

To mark the official launch, George Russell and Jarno Opmeer got behind the wheel of the team’s Esportsrigs at its headquarters in Brackley to test their driving skills on the iconic Silverstone racetrack.

George Russell explained: “Marginal gains in a race are everything. Suppose you can gain 50 milliseconds at every corner, equating to a whole second in a lap. So, if you think you are way back or off pace, break it down corner by corner, and psychologically, it makes things slightly easier. Whilst I won’t be able to make it to the challenge in person as I’ll be in Abu Dhabi ahead of the race weekend, I can’t wait to cheer on my team from the sidelines.”

Jarno Opmeer mentioned the importance of maintaining focus: “Staying focused for the full duration of the race is very hard; think about your strategy and your time over your competitors. I always try to focus on the task at hand and not the pressure. Then, if you make mistakes, it’s a chance to recognise what went wrong and not do it again.”

Detailed information about the registration process can be found here*:  https://watches.iwc.com/iRacing-Esports-sim-challenge 

*Terms and conditions apply.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE™ TEAM

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team is the works team of Mercedes-Benz, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport - the FIA Formula One™ World Championship. Formula One™ is like nothing else in the sporting sphere. It’s a demanding technical and human challenge, combining cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and elite teamwork. At Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and young star George Russell. The team has set a new benchmark for F1™ success during the sport’s current Hybrid era, winning consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the Constructors’ Championship in 2021. During those title-winning seasons, the team has scored 111 wins, 232 podium finishes, 118 pole positions, 81 fastest laps and 53 one-two finishes from 160 race starts.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS ESPORTS TEAM

The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Esports Team is the esports team of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula 1™ Team. Based on the premises of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, Brackley, a purpose-built esports training centre provides the team’s gamers with world class facilities and state-of-the- art equipment from our Esports partners, to develop their skills, train and compete.

On his first visit to the city of Schaffhausen, IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr, Chief Design Officer Christian Knoop and Chief Marketing Officer Franziska Gsell welcomed George Russell to the IWC Manufakturzentrum. The new manufacturing centre was inaugurated in 2018 to mark the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s 150th anniversary. In this ground-breaking new facility, IWC has brought together components making, movement assembly and case making under one roof. The process from raw metal to finished watch movement and case is organised in logical and sequential steps and can be experienced up close and transparently. During the visit, Russell spoke to IWC watchmakers and engineers and experienced the watchmaking and design process first hand. He also took the opportunity to learn more about IWC’s unique heritage and sustainable production methods. During his visit, Russell was wearing the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team” (Ref. IW388108). IWC and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team launched the first official team watch on the occasion of the Miami Grand Prix™ earlier this year.

ABOUT GEORGE RUSSELL 

Born in Kings Lynn, England in 1998, Russell began his racing career in karting in 2006. Over the next decade, he became an MSA British Cadet Champion, British Open Champion, Super One British Champion and CIK-FIA European Junior Champion, to name just a few. In 2017, he joined Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Motorsport’s junior driver programme, then graduated to Formula One™ with Williams Racing in 2019. Russell earned his first points for Williams at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix™, before qualifying second and claiming his first Formula One™ podium finish at the race in Belgium. In 2022, he embarked on a new chapter in his career by joining his teammate at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, Lewis Hamilton, as a fellow IWC brand ambassador.

As previously announced during a signature talk at Watches and Wonders in Geneva, IWC Schaffhausen lends its support to the Polaris Dawn mission, the first of three human spaceflights planned as part of the Polaris Program, led by Jared Isaacman, the U.S entrepreneur and mission commander of last year’s Inspiration4 mission.

The Polaris Dawn mission, targeted to launch no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2022, will conduct science and research designed to advance human health on Earth and our understanding of human health during future long-duration space flights. Over the course of five days, Dragon and the Polaris Dawn crew will endeavour to travel to 1,400 kilometres – the highest Earth orbit ever flown – and attempt the first-ever commercial spacewalk.

In addition to conducting research in space, Polaris Dawn will raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, a leading children’s hospital treating the most challenging childhood cancers and paediatric diseases. To support this goal, IWC has designed and donated four space-themed chronographs. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Polaris Dawn” (Ref. IW389111) features a 44.5-millimetre case made of white ceramic. The bright white colour results from a complex manufacturing process in which zirconium oxide is mixed with other metallic oxides in a precisely defined ratio and then sintered at high temperatures in a kiln. The chronographs feature dark blue lacquered dials printed with countless stars and the mission logo. In addition, the titanium case backs are engraved with the name of one of the four crew members. Alongside Jared Isaacman, who will serve as commander, the crew consists of retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Scott “Kidd” Poteet and SpaceX Lead Space Operations Engineers Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon.

The Polaris Dawn mission will launch from the historic Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After spending approximately five days in orbit, the spacecraft will return to Earth, and the four chronographs will be auctioned. Raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® previously marked a cornerstone of last year’s Inspiration4 mission. Four IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Editions raised $405,000, with the overall auction results and donations reaching more than $240 million.

To be notified of the auction, please visit this page https://www.iwc.com/en/specials/polaris-dawn-mission-auction-sign-up.html

POLARIS DAWN

The Polaris Program is a first-of-its-kind effort to further humanity’s exploration of space and to help solve the most challenging issues on Earth. The program will consist of up to three human spaceflight missions. The first mission, Polaris Dawn, is targeted for no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2022 and will be commanded by Jared Isaacman, an accomplished pilot and astronaut who commanded Inspiration4, the world’s first all-civilian mission to orbit that helped raise more than $240 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. “The Polaris Program is an exciting next step in space missions to advance human space exploration while helping to solve problems through the use of innovative technology here on Earth,” said Isaacman. “On Polaris Dawn, we endeavour to achieve the highest Earth orbit ever flown in addition to conducting the world’s first commercial spacewalk. Alongside these important objectives, we will be supporting scientific research to advance both human health on Earth and our understanding of human health during future long-duration spaceflights.” Building upon the Inspiration4 mission, Polaris Dawn will continue to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.

Tens of thousands of aerospace professionals come together from 18th to 22nd July in Farnborough in the South of England to discuss significant trends and developments in their industry. One of the main topics of interest at the Farnborough International Airshow 2022 is the industry’s sustainable development and transformation to net zero. Boom Supersonic, a partner of IWC Schaffhausen, is also among the exhibitors, promoting its vision for a more sustainable form of commercial air travel. During the airshow, Boom unveiled a production Overture design, optimised for speed, safety, and sustainability. The company also announced a strategic partnership with Northrop Grumman for a special mission variant of the aircraft. In addition, Boom added top-tier suppliers including Collins Aerospace, Eaton, and Safran Landing Systems, and announced The Iron Bird, a state-of-the-art testing facility.

Boom’s commercial airliner, Overture, is designed to be net zero for carbon emissions, capable of flying on 100% sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) at twice the speed of today’s fastest passenger jets. Boom Supersonic is also currently preparing its supersonic demonstrator aircraft XB-1 for its maiden flight.

BOOM SUPERSONIC AND AIRSPEEDER FORGING THE FUTURE OF MOBI LITY 

The partnership between IWC Schaffhausen and Boom Supersonic was announced in November 2021 and is founded on three key pillars: a special relationship with time, a commitment to engineering excellence, and an integrated approach to sustainability. At the Watches and Wonders exhibition in April in Geneva, Boom Supersonic had joined forces with Airspeeder, the first racing series for electric flying cars. Executives from both companies discussed the “Future of Mobility” in an IWC Signature Talk. Airspeeder, also an IWC partner, uses the power of sporting competition to accelerate the acceptance development of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) technology and promote a more sustainable form of urban mobility. As both partners ramp up their production facilities, IWC supports them with best practices from its award-winning manufacturing centre in Schaffhausen.

The IWC Signature Talk with Boom Supersonic and Airspeeder can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4dZOs_4J39Q

Located in the heart of London at the intersection of Tottenham Court Road and Charing Cross Road, Outernet London is the most advanced immersive space on the planet featuring floor to ceiling, 360 degree wrap around screens creating brand experiences the likes of which have never been seen before. IWC Schaffhausen was the first global luxury brand to take over this exciting new venue. Visitors were greeted with impressive photography and videos of IWC Schaffhausen and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team in the “Now Arcade”, a 21 meter multistorey LED tunnel, entirely covered with an interactive 8K screen surface. On display, bathed in PETRONAS-green light, was also the Mercedes-AMG F1 W13 E Performance, the team’s current race car.

A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE AND MAGIC MOMENTS OF A FRIENDSHIP

During the event at the “Now Trending” venue, Toto Wolff and Chris Grainger-Herr reflected on their longstanding collaboration and personal relationship. The two have met on many occasions and lived countless memorable moments on and off the racetrack. Commenting on photos projected on giant LED screens, they recalled key moments shared from when they first met in 2017 to the recent launch of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team” in Miami in May 2022. They also recalled the legendary moment when Toto Wolff smashed his headset at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix™ in December 2021, and his bespoke Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL successfully withstood a particularly tough blow.

THE OFFICIAL KICK-OFF FOR THE AUCTION AT BONHAMS

Over the years, Toto Wolff has worn many IWC watches, including some experimental prototypes. With the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team,” IWC has created a limited edition that carries his name and recognises his outstanding career and achievements thus far. The watch is limited to 100 pieces. The last available piece, number 50 of 100, is now being auctioned by international auction house Bonhams. The proceeds will go to Ignite, a joint charitable initiative operated by Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1™ and Sir Lewis Hamilton to support greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport. 

Interested buyers can register and place their bids here: www.bonhams.com/auction/28074

In 2013, the Austrian entrepreneur and former racing driver Toto Wolff became a shareholder and executive director of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1™ Team. During his time as the Team Principal & CEO, the team has won eight consecutive constructors’ titles between 2014 and 2021 – more than any other team in elite world sport. With the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team”, Wolff was finally honoured with an IWC watch that carries his name.

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team” (Ref. IW503607) features a Ceratanium® case and crown, a glass dial, and black hands. The printing and luminescence are in the team’s signature PETRONAS green colour. Limited to only 100 pieces, this watch is fitted with a black rubber strap with textile inlay. Ceratanium® is a ground-breaking new material developed by IWC. It is as light and robust as titanium and almost as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic. Ceratanium® is based on a special titanium alloy forged explicitly for IWC. The case components are machined from bars and then treated in a furnace process at high temperatures. During this heat treatment, they develop not only ceramic properties on their surface but also their striking matte black finish.

“After almost a decade of partnership, it is an honour and a privilege to have been asked to design a watch with IWC Schaffhausen. For me, it had to be a Big Pilot’s Perpetual Calendar. The watch uses Ceratanium, a material that stands for robustness and strength, two features that are very important to me. The dial is in bold PETRONAS Green, the colour of our team, and, of course, I had to add a subtle red collar around the crown and pay tribute to our friend and colleague Niki Lauda. The final design is exactly how I had imagined it to be and I am delighted to donate this special timepiece to the auction and hope to raise as much as possible for the Ignite partnership,” states Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team.

IWC’s legendary perpetual calendar was developed by former head-watchmaker Kurt Klaus during the 1980s. The mechanical program automatically recognises the different lengths of the months and the leap years, requiring no manual adjustment until 2100. The moon phase display shows the moon as seen from the northern and southern hemispheres and will only deviate by one day after 577.5 years. The calendar module is driven via a single nightly switching impulse by the IWC-manufactured 52615 calibre. This automatic movement features IWC’s iconic Pellaton winding system, which has been reinforced with ceramic components and accumulates a power reserve of 7 days in two barrels. The movement can be admired through the tinted sapphire glass back. 

NUMBER 50 OF 100 TO BE AUCTIONED BY BONHAMS 

The watch carrying the number 50 will be auctioned online by the international auction house Bonhams. The proceeds will go to Ignite. This charitable initiative launched in 2021 by The Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1™ Team and Sir Lewis Hamilton will focus its work on supporting greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport. The watch comes with a 10-minute video call with Toto Wolff and a tour of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1™ Team HQ and Operations Centre, offering exclusive, behind-the-scenes insight into what goes into designing, manufacturing and running the world’s most advanced racing cars. Interested buyers can register and place their bids here: www.bonhams.com/auction/28074. 

IWC ANNOUNCES A YEARLY DONATION 

In addition, IWC Schaffhausen and the Mercedes- AMG PETRONAS F1™ Team are also announcing the establishment of a yearly donation of 50,000 Euros, which will be funded by IWC. Like the auction proceeds, the funds will also go to Ignite. Learn more: Ignite Partnership Announces Inaugural Grants to Boost UK motorsport (mercedesamgf1.com)

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE™ TEAM 

Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team is the works team of Mercedes-Benz, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula One™ World Championship. Formula One™ is like nothing else in the sporting sphere. It’s a demanding technical and human challenge, combining cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and elite teamwork. At Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and young star George Russell. The team has set a new benchmark for F1™ success during the sport’s current Hybrid era, winning consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the Constructors’ Championship in 2021. During those title-winning seasons, the team has scored 111 wins, 232 podium finishes, 118 pole positions, 81 fastest laps and 53 one-two finishes from 160 race starts. 

BONHAMS 

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and collectables, motor cars and a luxury division, including jewellery, watches, wine and whisky. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 53 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

Since the birth of Formula 1™, engineers have been dreaming of bringing the supreme technology from the elite class of motor racing to the streets. After a long engineering journey, Mercedes-AMG is about to make this dream come true. The German performance and sports car manufacturer will soon initiate the production of the Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar. The two-seater will transfer the latest and most efficient Formula 1™ hybrid technology almost one to one from the racetrack to the street for the first time. The performance hybrid will produce over 1,000 horsepower at a maximum speed of over 350 km/h.

The Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” (Ref. 590502) features IWC’s patented constant-force mechanism. This complication disengages the escapement from the direct flow of power through the wheel train and transmits completely even impulses of energy to the escape wheel. As a result, even as the torque in the mainspring diminishes, the balance wheel oscillates with virtually the same amplitude. In combination with the tourbillon, which compensates for the negative influences of gravity, this ensures a highly exact rate. The IWC-manufactured 94800 calibre is manually wound and stores a power reserve of 96 hours in its twin barrels. The fully blackened movement is visible through the sapphire glass back. The case back is made of Ceratanium®. Based on a special titanium alloy, this IWC-developed material is as light and rigid as titanium and, at the same time, almost equally as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic

TITANIUM ALUMINIDE REFLECTS IWC’S UNIQUE TITANIUM LEGACY

The Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” reflects the unique competence IWC acquired in machining titanium since the 1980s. The case is made of titanium aluminide (TiAl). TiAl is lighter and harder than conventional titanium, highly resistant to corrosion, and biocompatible. This high-tech material belongs to the group of intermetallic compounds. Due to the specific mixing ratio of titanium and aluminium, atoms and electrons arrange themselves in a particular way. This causes the material to have certain nonmetallic properties in addition to the classic properties of a metal. In the case of TiAl, it is its high temperature resistance that stands out. For this reason, the material is used for the turbine blades of modern jet engines, where lightness and temperature resistance are essential requirements. Its specific properties also make it the ideal choice for components of high-performance engines in motorsport. 

Because titanium aluminide has a difficult machining behaviour, manufacturing a TiAl watch case is a real engineering feat. In addition, the requirements for the purity of the raw materials are very high, and the production of the titanium aluminide alloy is costly and complex. Today, IWC is one of the few watch manufacturer capable of producing a titanium aluminide case. The case of the Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” is elaborately finished with polished and sandblasted surfaces

A DESIGN INSPIRED BY THE MERCEDES-AMG ONE 

In addition to the constant-force tourbillon at 9 o’clock,the black dial also features a double moon phase display for the northern and southern hemispheres and a power reserve display at 4 o’clock, reminiscent of a tachometer. The louvred, ring-shaped structure of the outer dial ring takes inspiration from the air inlets that dominate the front of the Mercedes-AMG ONE. The design also features details in Petronas green – the signature colour of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ team, whose plug-in hybrid technology the new car brings to the street. A thin ring in Petronas green, for example, marks the transition between the polished and sandblasted parts of the case. Details in Petronas green can also be found on the dial and on some of the movement components. 

The Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” is fitted with a two-tone rubber strap. Manufactured using the so-called multi-component injection moulding process, it is black on the outside and green on the inside. Numerous Mercedes stars in Petronas green are visible on the outer side of the strap. 

The Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition “AMG ONE OWNERS” will be available exclusively to the future owners of the Mercedes-AMG ONE. If you are a car owner, Mercedes-AMG and IWC Schaffhausen will contact you with information regarding the order process.

As the first Formula One™ Grand Prix comes to Miami, the action doesn’t stop at the Miami International Autodrome. From May 6 to May 8, the FTX Off the Grid festival will take place at 10^th Street and the beachfront, directly on the sands of South Beach, just beyond the iconic, pastel-hued Art Deco buildings lining Ocean Drive. Blending the thrills of F1™ with the diverse culture of Miami Beach, the festival brings together the exciting world of motorsport with music, art, fashion, food – and watchmaking. IWC marks a strong presence at the event. The Swiss luxury watchmaker will not only be the official timekeeper of the festival but also bring its successful Big Pilot Exhibition to it.

Since its launch in 2021, the IWC Big Pilot Exhibition has visited more than 30 cities in 7 countries, including 8 cities across the United States. Housed in specially converted shipping containers, the exhibition brings the story of IWC to life in an unprecedented and surprising way. During the festival, guests will not only be able to learn more thanks to the knowledgeable staff on hand, but they will also have the opportunity to take a closer look and try some of IWC’s newly released Pilot’s Watches. On top of the exhibition space, IWC will also present the “Mojave Lounge”, a luxurious lounge space offering a privileged view of the stage to watch the main concert performances taking place every night at the festival.

The IWC Big Pilot Exhibition will be open to the public Friday May 6 and Saturday May 7 from 12pm to 5.30pm. People interested in a guided visit of the exhibition can schedule an appointment via Simplybook (https://www.iwc.com/us/en/specials/map-teaser.html). 

FTX Off the Grid will offer guests free access during the day and ticketed concert performances by night. Register for an exclusive NFT ticket and find more information on the line-up, activities, and schedule at www.ftxoffthegrid.com

ABOUT FTX US 

FTX US is a US-regulated cryptocurrency exchange, built from the ground up. Our mission is for FTX US to grow the digital currency ecosystem, offer US traders a platform that inspires their loyalty, and become the market-leading US cryptocurrency exchange by volume over the next two years. To learn more about FTX US, please visit: https://ftx.us

IWC Schaffhausen has been the official engineering partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team since 2013. As the elite of motorsport gathers in Florida for the inaugural Miami Grand Prix™, IWC CEO Chris Grainger-Herr and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1™ Team Principal & CEO Toto Wolff announced the result of their most recent collaboration: for the first time in their longstanding partnership, IWC has developed an official watch for the team. This watch will be worn by the team, including designers, aerodynamicists, race engineers, strategists and mechanics.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team added: “We’re delighted to unveil the first official team watch we’ve developed with IWC. 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.” 

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team” (Ref. IW388108) is crafted from lightweight and remarkably rigid grade 5 titanium. Offering the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metal, titanium is also widely used in automotive engineering to produce car parts subject to immense stresses, such as engine valves. In addition, titanium is also highly corrosion-resistant. After machining and sandblasting, the surface retains an attractive greyish shimmer. A black dial with printing and luminescence in the team’s signature shade of green complement the distinctive design. The IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre, a chronograph movement in classic column-wheel design consisting of 231 individual parts, is visible through a sapphire glass back. The bi-directional pawl winding system builds up a power reserve of 46 hours.

TWO STRAPS FOR ADDED VERSATILITY 

The chronograph is delivered with two different straps: one black embossed calfskin strap, and one green rubber strap. Thanks to the integrated EasX-CHANGE® system, the straps can be exchanged quickly and easily at the touch of a button without additional tools. The different strap options and easy interchangeability make the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team” a fully versatile sports watch.

A RECORD-BREAKING TEAM EFFORT 

With eight championships won between the 2014 and 2021 seasons, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ team holds the record for the most consecutive constructors’ titles. No other team in the elite class of motorsport has won as many consecutive team titles. During those title-winning seasons, the team has scored 111 wins, 232 podium finishes, 118 pole positions, 81 fastest laps and 53 one-two finishes from 160 race starts. Behind these accomplishments is a team of more than 900 professionals, including several hundred highly qualified engineers. In the team’s technology centres in Brackley and Brixworth, northwest of London, they design, develop, manufacture, assemble, and operate the championship-winning cars piloted by Lewis Hamilton and George Russell on the racing circuits worldwide. 

To celebrate this new endeavour, both team cars will be proudly featuring the IWC logo on the halo of the W13 race car for the Miami Grand Prix™. 

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team” is available exclusively online on IWC.com. In addition, the timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and can benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE™

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team is the works team of Mercedes-Benz, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula One™ World Championship. Formula One™ is like nothing else in the sporting sphere. It’s a demanding technical and human challenge, combining cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and elite teamwork. At Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and young star George Russell. The team has set a new benchmark for F1™ success during the sport’s current Hybrid era, winning consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the Constructors’ Championship in 2021. During those title-winning seasons, the team has scored 111 wins, 232 podium finishes, 118 pole positions, 81 fastest laps and 53 one-two finishes from 160 race starts. 

Learn more: One Year On: Mercedes-AMG F1™ Announces Positive Progress with Accelerate 25 Programme (mercedesamgf1.com).

As the inaugural Miami Grand Prix™ brings the excitement of Formula One™ to South Florida, IWC Schaffhausen united some of the world’s greatest sporting legends to raise money for social programs in the Miami area. Relaxed and fun, ‘The Big Pilot Challenge’ took place at the Miami Beach Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course located in the heart of South Beach. Former F1™ star David Coulthard hosted the event alongside American actor and passionate golf player Kathryn Newton. Mixing Scottish humor with in-depth golfing knowledge, they presented the teams and guided them through the challenge. 

FOUR TITAN S CLASH ON THE GREEN 

Team ‘Mojave Desert’ brought together two of IWC’s most accomplished brand ambassadors: seven-time American Football World Champion Tom Brady and seven-time Formula One™ World Champion Lewis Hamilton. The other team ‘Lake Tahoe’ comprised retired American Football running back, Marcus Allen, and Dibia DREAM founder and CEO Brandon Okpalobi. The first self-explanatory challenge, called ‘The Longest Drive’, was followed by ‘Closest to Pin’. Here, the objective was to put the ball close to a digit on the dial of a gigantic Big Pilot’s Watch painted onto the green. 

ONLINE AUCTION TO RAISE FUNDS FOR CHARITY 

Following the event, the watches worn by the players and some personal items from the players will be auctioned online by the international auction house Bonhams. Among the timepieces are novelties from IWC’s recently launched “Colors of TOP  GUN” collection in crisp white and sand-colored ceramic. Bidding starts immediately and will end on Wednesday, May 11, at 11 am ET. The auction proceeds will allow Laureus Sport for Good to expand its critical impact on youth in communities in Miami, Florida. The primary beneficiary will be Dibia DREAM, which sparks social change through STEM and recreational education for underserved young people in Miami. Last year Dibia DREAM served 5,000  youths, with 75% improving their school attendance, 70% improving their academic performance, and multiple students helped with scholarships to support their educational aspirations. 

The charity auction can be accessed via this link: www.bonhams.com/auction/27983/The-Big-PilotChallenge-charity-auction-IWC-Laureus

DIBIA DREAM 

Founded in 2013, Dibia DREAM provides a safe place after school, on the weekends and in the summer with caring, responsible adults and engaging activities. Dibia DREAM was created with athletes and aspiring youth in underserved communities in mind. Its programs use sports as an instrument to teach life skills and promote mentorship, active participation, and exposure to diverse opportunities through its 5 Pillar program. Dibia DREAM delivers early, positive experiences for students in sport, physical activity, STEM, and education. Our goal is to enrich the youth through transformative experiences.

LAUREUS  SPORT FOR GOOD FOUNDATION 

Laureus Sport for Good is a global charity that supports children and young people by using the power of sport to end violence, discrimination, and disadvantage. Over the last 20 years, Laureus Sport for Good has raised more than $200m for the Sport for Development sector, reaching and helping change the lives of more than six million children and young people since 2000. Laureus Sport for Good currently supports more than 200 programs in 50 countries and territories that use the power of sport to transform lives.

The Portofino Chronograph 39 Edition “Laureus Sport for Good” is the 16th special edition that IWC has launched in collaboration with the Laureus Sport for Good foundation. Laureus Sport for Good operates in more than 50 countries and supports over 250 programmes around the world. The programmes employ sport to transform the lives of children and young people. They aim to promote social change, and put an end to violence and discrimination.

Limited to 1000 pieces, this timepiece features a stainless steel case in an easily wearable diameter of 39 millimetres. The dial in the typical Laureus blue contrasts with the rhodium-plated hands and appliques. The chronograph is fitted on a black calfskin strap. 

An engraving of the winning entry from the drawing competition that IWC organises each year within all Laureus programmes appears on the case back. The drawing depicts hands united together as equals, and was created by 15-year-old Jatin Malhan.

Jatin is goalkeeper for the Youth Football Club Rurka Kalan in the Jalandhar district of Punjab, India. The programme he took part in empowers and inspires young people to drive change in their communities, promoting tolerance, community spirit and gender equality through sport and education. 

The Laureus World Sports Awards is the premier global sports awards honouring the greatest sportsmen, sportswomen and teams across all sports each year. The Nominees are selected by a panel of over 1300 representatives from the world of global sports media. 

Award winners are voted for by the ultimate sporting jury, Laureus World Sports Academy, a collective of 71 of the greatest living sporting legends who volunteer their time to support the organisation.

LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD

Laureus Sport for Good was inspired by the words of its Founding Patron, Nelson Mandela, who said at the first ever Laureus Awards in 2000, “Sport has the power to change the world.” Laureus Sport for Good uses the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage. Since 2000, Laureus has reached and helped change the lives of more than six million children and young people. Laureus Sport for Good currently supports more than 250 programmes in over 50 countries that use the power of sport to transform lives. 

The work of Laureus Sport for Good aims to address six key social issues identified by the UN that are affecting young people across the world: 

• Health: Enhancing mental wellbeing and encouraging healthy behaviour change 
• Education: I ncreased access to and completion of education 
• Women and Girls: Promoting equality, empowerment and safety 
• Employability: Developing skills and creating pathways to employment 
• Inclusive Society: Creating communities which embrace ethnic, cultural and physical differences 
• Peaceful Society: Resolving conflict, promoting community peace-building and creating safe spaces

IWC Schaffhausen, the inventor of colored ceramic watches, has launched a new TOP GUN collection in its iconic Pilot’s Watches family. Inspiration from the world of naval aviation, such as the fascinating landscapes seen by TOP GUN pilots during training, was expressed through PANTONE® color codes. Based on these, IWC engineered completely new ceramic colors to create timepieces in a strikingly monochrome, muted design. Now, the Swiss luxury watchmaker has unveiled a global advertising campaign to accompany the new TOP GUN designs.

A CHAMPION FOR THE CAMPAIGN

The campaign stars American football quarterback Tom Brady, who has been an IWC brand ambassador since 2019. Brady has won seven World Championships, more than any other quarterback in American Football history, and 18 Division Titles so far in his unparalleled career. Yet, despite having achieved so much and having nothing left to prove, he keeps challenging himself and pushing to new heights. These character traits match the new campaign’s tagline, “We’re not here to try – we’re here to do,” making Brady the perfect choice to represent the TOP GUN mindset.

In the fast-cut short films, Brady wears the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN in black, sand-colored, green, and white ceramic. Different edits of the four films will feature on IWC’s global social media channels and YouTube.

Schaffhausen/Geneva, 2nd April 2022 – Throughout this week’s Watches and Wonders exhibition in Geneva, IWC Schaffhausen is hosting a series of three Signature Talks. During the third event, titled “The IWC Colors”, Christian Knoop, IWC Chief Design Officer, and Carola Seybold, Head of Global Key Accounts at PANTONE® talked about the language of color, the function of color in watch design, and how the Pantone Color Institute supported IWC’s creative specialists as they created new chronographs in colored ceramic.

In 1963, PANTONE® revolutionized the printing industry by creating an international language of color that would enable those working in the global printing industry to select and communicate color with accuracy. Today, PANTONE® offers a range of different physical and digital color language standards, supporting industries including textiles, apparel, beauty, interiors, architecture, and industrial design to achieve consistent reproduction of color anywhere in the world.

THE ROLE OF COLORS IN WATCH DESIGN

“The colors we wear and the colors we surround ourselves with reflect who we are and how we want others to perceive us,” said Laurie Pressman, Vice-President, Pantone Color Institute. “Consumers are increasingly comfortable with color and in our highly visual world look to color to help them create a unique statement that expresses their individualized style.”

After giving a general introduction into the history of PANTONE’s color standards products, Carola Seybold talked about how people all perceive color differently, and which factors influence their perception. Christian Knoop then elaborated on the role of IWC as a pioneer of colored ceramic watches, recalling how the brand had launched its first watches in white or green ceramic as early as in the 1980s. The engineering ceramic used to produce watch cases consists of zirconium oxide, which is mixed with other metallic oxides, shaped and then sintered at high temperatures in a kiln. This high-tech material is characterized by its extreme hardness and scratch-resistance. It is virtually wear-free and one of the most durable and long-lasting materials on earth.

Christian Knoop then explained in detail the creative journey that led to the development of the new ceramic colors “IWC Woodland” and “IWC Lake Tahoe.” He explained how IWC’s creative specialists had been inspired by the fascinating landscapes TOP GUN pilots use as training grounds, and how they concretized their inspiration with Pantone’s language of color, seamlessly integrating it into the process of engineering new ceramic colors and adapting all the other components of the watches to these new shades. Knoop also explained the difficulties involved in producing colored ceramic, from finding the right mixture of raw materials to fine-tuning the complex manufacturing process to achieving perfect quality and color consistency. IWC’s Chief Design Officer also revealed that Pantone’s color standards products form the foundation for all creative work by the IWC creative team, underscoring the importance of these tools.

HOW PANTONE COLOR INSTITUTE ACCOMPANIED IWC ON THEIR JOURNEY

“With about 80% of human experience filtered through our eyes, the first challenge is to grab the eye, and nothing does that better than the thoughtful use of color,” Laurie Pressman, Vice-President Pantone Color Institute explained. “Color is the first thing we see and the first thing we connect to, influencing up to 85% of product purchasing decisions which is why the use of color for product and how brands put their color themes and stories together is so important.”

As Knoop described the creative process, Seybold illustrated why the matching systems from PANTONE® are indispensable tools for creatives around the world, supporting them on their creative journey and enabling them to realize their visions. At the close of the talk, Seybold revealed her personal favorite from the new “Colors of TOP GUN” collection, admitting she is fascinated by the exceptional purity and the clarity of the Pilot’s Watch TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” in white ceramic. 

The video of the talk is available on https://www.iwc.com/gb/en/specials/videos-2022.html.

ABOUT PANTONE AND THE PANTONE COLOR INSTITUTE

Pantone provides a universal language of color that enables color-critical decisions through every stage of the workflow for brands and manufacturers. More than 100 million designers and producers around the world rely on Pantone products and services to help define, communicate and control color from inspiration to realization – leveraging advanced X-Rite technology to achieve color consistency across various materials and finishes for graphics, fashion and product design. Pantone Standards feature digital and physical color specification and workflow tools. The Pantone Color Institute is the business unit within Pantone that highlights the top seasonal runway colors, selects the Pantone Color of the Year, forecasts global color trends, and advises companies on color for product and brand visual identity. Through seasonal trend forecasts, color psychology, and color consulting, the Pantone Color Institute partners with global brands to effectively leverage the power, psychology, and emotion of color in their design strategy. Pantone B2B Licensing incorporates the Pantone Color System into different products and services, enabling licensees to communicate and reproduce approved Pantone Values and improve efficiencies for their users. Pantone Lifestyle brings color and design together across apparel, home, and accessories. Connect with Pantone on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn.

Hamilton, considered to be the most successful Formula One™ driver in history, races for IWC’s longstanding partner, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. As well as his seven world titles, he holds multiple records within the sport including most race wins - and is an important advocate for greater global equality. One of his most recent endeavors is Ignite, a joint charitable initiative set up by the Briton and his Formula One™ team to improve diversity and inclusion in motorsport. IWC will work with the team to define and deliver a meaningful contribution to Ignite.

Rossi called time on his incredible 26-year motorcycling career in 2021. A global icon, he won a record-setting nine championships in 125cc, 250cc, 500cc and MotoGP^TM and claimed 235 podiums and 115 race wins during his career on two wheels. In 2022, the Italian 43-year-old is switching to four wheels for a new chapter, competing in this season’s ten-round GT World Challenge Europe.

DIFFERENT CATEGORIES, SAME UNASSAILABLE TALENT 

The starting point for the Signature Talk began with a reminder of a particular moment in 2019 when Rossi drove Hamilton’s Formula One™ car, and the Briton rode the Italian’s MotoGP^TM bike to great success in Valencia, Spain. The two racing legends discussed their memories of that day, how they felt making the switch from four wheels to two and vice versa, and why they believed they could make the swap between two entirely different vehicles look so effortless. From there, the conversation covered the transferable ‘meta skills’ of racers, their career highlights, as well as their mutual respect and friendship.

ONCE A PILOT, ALWAYS A PILOT 

Later in the conversation, the two elite ‘pilots’ on terra firma also shared their thoughts on aviation, particularly supersonic jets, comparing the feeling of ultra-fast flight with the physical and psychological experiences they undergo when moving at speed in the cockpit or on the bike. Lastly, the two greats discussed what skills and character traits it takes to compete at an elite level and what vehicle they would choose to be their ‘ultimate ride’. The video of the live talk is available on https://www.iwc.com/ch/en/specials/videos-2022.html.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE 

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team is the works team of Mercedes-Benz, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula One™ World Championship. Formula One is like nothing else in the sporting sphere. It’s a demanding technical and human challenge, combining cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and elite teamwork. At Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop and manufacture the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and young star George Russell. The team has set a new benchmark for F1 success during the sport’s current Hybrid era, winning consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the Constructors’ Championship in 2021. During those title-winning seasons, the team has scored 111 wins, 232 podium finishes, 118 pole positions, 81 fastest laps and 53 one-two finishes from 160 race starts.

Last year, IWC Schaffhausen supported Inspiration4, the world’s first all-civilian mission to orbit. Now, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer teams up with US entrepreneur and astronaut Jared Isaacman again to support his new project, the Polaris Dawn mission. Polaris Dawn will launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida no earlier than the fourth quarter of 2022. The crew will consist of Jared Isaacman, Scott “Kidd” Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Anna Menon.

“We are excited to have IWC Schaffhausen on board for our upcoming Polaris Dawn mission. Together, we will not only expand our understanding of what’s possible in human spaceflight but also support St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® as it strives to improve global survival rates for childhood cancer here on Earth,” added Isaacman.

ADVANCING CIVILIAN SPACE EXPLORATION AND RAISING FUNDS FOR ST. JUDE

While in orbit, the crew will conduct scientific research designed to advance both human health on Earth and our understanding of human health during future long-duration spaceflights. Polaris Dawn is the first of three planned missions as part of the Polaris program. IWC Schaffhausen will unveil more details about the collaboration in the coming months. In line with IWC’s commitment to community engagement, IWC will continue to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. After last year’s Inspiration4 mission, four unique spacethemed IWC Pilot’s Watches Chronograph Editions raised 405,000 USD for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. This institution is lead the way in how the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The video of the talk is available on https://www.iwc.com/ch/en/specials/videos-2022.html 

POLARIS DAWN 

The Polaris Program is a first-of-its-kind effort to further humanity’s exploration of space and to help solve the most challenging issues on Earth. The program will consist of up to three human spaceflight missions. The first mission, Polaris Dawn, is targeted for no earlier than the fourth quarter of this year and will be commanded by Isaacman, an accomplished pilot and astronaut who commanded Inspiration4, the world’s first all-civilian mission to orbit that helped raise more than $240 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. “The Polaris Program is an exciting next step in space missions to advance human space exploration while helping to solve problems through the use of innovative technology here on Earth,” said Isaacman. “On Polaris Dawn, we endeavor to achieve the highest Earth orbit ever flown in addition to conducting the world’s first commercial spacewalk. Alongside these important objectives, we will be supporting scientific research to advance both human health on Earth and our understanding of human health during future long-duration spaceflights.” Building upon the Inspiration4 mission, Polaris Dawn will continue to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

At the event, which was also streamed worldwide live on YouTube, IWC welcomed Airspeeder CEO and founder Matt Pearson, and Brian Durrence, Chief Technology Officer at Boom Supersonic. Airspeeder uses the power of a sporting competition to drive innovation and turbocharge a new era of sustainable urban mobility. Boom has assembled a unique team of engineers to bring their vision of mainstream supersonic flight to life. As they are working towards the future of mobility, both partners are supported by IWC with best practices from its Manufakturzentrum.

The conversation between Durrence and Pearson centered first on the Mojave Desert, an iconic location for aviators. Airspeeder plans to hold US races there, while Boom Supersonic chose the Mojave Desert to test-fly their supersonic demonstrator XB-1. The dry and barren landscape of China Lake in the Western Mojave Desert has also inspired the unique sand-colored ceramic IWC uses for the “Mojave Desert” editions in the TOP GUN collection.

ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICE

Next, Pearson and Durrence discussed the importance of innovation and advanced materials in pushing technological boundaries. The pair also spoke about how their engineering journey has led to machines with beautiful silhouettes. The most important common thread between the partners and IWC, however, is sustainability. Both Boom and Airspeeder are redefining the future of mobility in a sustainable way, and both are currently ramping up their production facilities. In this process, they are supported by IWC with best practices in sustainable manufacturing. IWC’s new Manufakturzentrum is an award-winning production facility that integrates many elements for responsible production. Durrence described how Boom’s approach to sustainability extend beyond running Overture on up to 100% SAF (sustainable aviation fuels) and to how they design and test their aircraft to how they operate their production facility to aircraft recycling. Pearson detailed his hopes that EXA racing would accelerate the acceptance of eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) technology to promote a more sustainable form of mobility, transporting people and goods across short distances in dense urban environments.

IWC ANNOUNCING PARTNERSHIP WITH POLARIS DAWN

At the end of the signature talk, the participants on stage were joined by IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr and John “Slick” Baum, Philanthropy Director of the Polaris Space Program. Following IWC’s successful participation in last year’s Inspiration4 mission, Grainger-Herr and Baum announced a partnership of IWC with the Polaris Dawn mission. Commanded by entrepreneur Jared Isaacman, the Polaris Dawn mission will conduct scientific research to improve life on Earth and continue to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. 

The video of the talk is available on https://www.iwc.com/ch/en/specials/videos-2022.html 

AIRSPEEDER

Airspeeder is the world’s first racing series for electric flying cars. Our mission will accelerate eVTOL (electric vertical take-off and landing) advanced aviation technology through intense sporting competition. This mobility revolution, underpinned by future tech, will transform urban air mobility (UAM), global logistics and even medical applications with a clean-air electric vehicle (EV) solution. Our racing multicopters are developed at our advanced aerospace engineering hub in Adelaide, South Australia by engineers drawn from elite motorsports, automotive, aviation and even FPV drone, electric plane, electric vehicle,s and passenger drone backgrounds. Airspeeder’s vision will deliver the most exciting and future-focused motorsport on the planet. Following an inaugural unmanned season, elite pilots will take to the skies to race prop-to-prop while navigating electronically governed racetracks in the skies above some of the most visually arresting scenery in the world. For more information, visit https://airspeeder.com/partners.

BOOM SUPERSONIC

Boom Supersonic is redefining commercial air travel by bringing sustainable, supersonic flight to the skies. Boom’s historic commercial airliner, Overture, is designed and committed to industry-leading standards of speed, safety, and sustainability. Overture will be net-zero carbon, capable of flying on 100% sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) at twice the speed of today’s fastest passenger jets. Overture’s order book, including purchases and options, stands at 70 aircraft, and Boom is working with the United States Air Force for government applications of Overture. The company is backed by world-class investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners, Prime Movers Lab, Emerson Collective and American Express Ventures. For more information, visit https://boomsupersonic.com.

POLARIS DAWN

The Polaris Program is a first-of-its-kind effort to further humanity’s exploration of space and to help solve the most challenging issues on Earth. The program will consist of up to three human spaceflight missions. 

The first mission, Polaris Dawn, is targeted for no earlier than the fourth quarter of this year and will be commanded by Isaacman, an accomplished pilot and astronaut who commanded Inspiration4, the world’s first all-civilian mission to orbit that helped raise more than $240 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 

“The Polaris Program is an exciting next step in space missions to advance human space exploration while helping to solve problems through the use of innovative technology here on Earth,” said Isaacman. “On Polaris Dawn, we endeavor to achieve the highest Earth orbit ever flown in addition to conducting the world’s first commercial spacewalk. Alongside these important objectives, we will be supporting scientific research to advance both human health on Earth and our understanding of human health during future long-duration spaceflights.” Building upon the Inspiration4 mission, Polaris Dawn will continue to raise funds and awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Following Wednesday’s keynote announcement, IWC will distribute a first drop of 1,868 membership tokens, in a nod to its founding year of 1868, on a first-come, first-served basis to clients, watch enthusiasts and the general public. The non-fungible tokens (NFT) will be released on various IWC channels and at its physical booth at Watches and Wonders. Following the launch, every client who purchases one of IWC’s newly-launched colored ceramic Pilot’s Watches will also receive an NFT.

Each token, minted with the Arianee NFT management platform, contains a raw diamond-shaped digital artwork, the emblem of the new IWC Diamond Hand Club. The term ‘Diamond Hand’ is widely used within web3, indicating investment loyalty and a member’s nerves of steel compared to ‘Paper Hands’, who panic in the face of fluctuations. In naming its environment the IWC Diamond Hand Club, IWC pays homage to this terminology, attaching the same qualities of commitment and fidelity to its IWC community.

“Once the NFT is claimed, its owner will become an IWC Diamond Hand Club member,” explained Maurice Moitroux, IWC’s Associate Director of Brand Marketing. “They can then enter IWC’s newly-launched virtual 3D space, which is hosted on Spatial.io, a digital online platform that offers accessible and unique metaverse opportunities for creators, NFT collectors and brands to produce compelling and immersive VR experiences.”

IWC’s environment, designed by architect Rashid, is a bespoke, digital version of its physical high-tech shipping container-style booth at Watches and Wonders. It also features other unique worlds, representing the watchmaker’s new ceramic colours, like ‘IWC Mojave Desert’, ‘IWC Woodland’ and ‘IWC Lake Tahoe’. Devised as the gateway to all of IWC’s future web3 initiatives, the IWC Diamond Hand Club will grow as more worlds and features are added, and new collectible tokens are distributed at select occasions.

“Web3 technology is an exciting new frontier with limitless possibilities, and this is just the start for IWC,” explained Katharina Doepke-Schelling, IWC’s Associate Director Digital Strategy & Transformation. “Our virtual environment has been designed as a holistic ecosystem, built with our users in mind, for the long term. We aim to augment the experience of our community and engage in 3D, no matter where our clients and enthusiasts might be.” 

Through the IWC Diamond Hand Club, members will be invited to exclusive virtual events within the 3D space and offered access to physical events and services. Additionally, members can participate in token-gated community channels. The first of the club’s real-world “utilities” is the chance to attend a private performance on April 1st at Geneva’s Théâtre du Léman to celebrate IWC’s new ‘Colors of Top Gun’ watch collection. 

“The IWC Diamond Hand Club is the first NFT-based membership program ever created in the luxury and watchmaking industry,” added Pierre-Nicolas Hurstel, co-founder and CEO of Arianee. “It is a great pleasure for Arianee to combine our web3 expertise with IWC’s spirit and love for innovation. This partnership will open new horizons to the IWC community.” 

To access the NFT, clients and enthusiasts must first scan the QR code presented to them. The QR code will then prompt recipients to claim the token through the IWC wallet, powered by Arianee, where they can store it securely for future use.

Watch the keynote here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKfz82f2l1M

HANI RASHID

Hani Rashid, a visionary architect, co-founded New York-based Asymptote Architecture (www.asymptote.net) with Lise Anne Couture in 1989. The practice is at the forefront of technological innovation and production in architecture, urban planning design and art. Asymptote has received numerous awards and global recognition for a wide range of projects, including buildings, masterplans, design and art installations. In 2000 Hani Rashid co-represented the United States at the 7th Venice International Architecture Biennale, and in 2004 Asymptote was responsible for the design of Metamorph, the 9th Venice Architecture Biennale. That same year Hani Rashid and Lise Anne Couture received the Frederick Kiesler Prize for Architecture and the Arts in recognition of their exceptional contributions to the progress of art and architecture. In 2011, Asymptote completed the design and building of the Yas Marina and Hotel in Abu Dhabi, a highly significant project built alongside the Abu Dhabi Formula 1™ Grand Prix™ circuit. In 2008 Hani Rashid was awarded the Kenzo Tange Chair at Harvard University’s GSD having also taught at Princeton University, Columbia University in New York and the ETH in Zurich. Presently Hani Rashid is the director of the Urban Futures Lab at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna, Austria.

ARIANEE 

Founded in 2018, Arianee is the leading web3 solutions platform for brands. Arianee’s open-source protocol is based on the blockchain and allows brands to create and distribute NFTs, or digital assets. Arianee tokenizes products and experiences to enhance the relationship between brands and their communities and to create a direct, perpetual link which respects personal data. Arianee brings together major brands and partners in technology in its vision to build a decentralized internet. www.arianee.org

The frozen Lake St. Moritz in Switzerland, 1,800 meters above sea level, is a popular venue for horse races in winter. However, on 26 February 2022, the iconic location was taken over by classic race and sports cars from all over the world, as the luxurious winter sports destination welcomed the ICE, the International Concours of Elegance. IWC supported the event as Official Timing Partner. 

The IWC racing team seized the opportunity to kick off its fourth racing season. In her second appearance for the team, Austrian racing driver Laura Kraihamer steered the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” across the frozen lake. Kraihamer, who has been a member of the IWC family since 2021, already sat behind the wheel of the “Gullwing” at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting in the UK last October. With the “300 SLS Porter”, IWC brought a second unique racing car to the ICE. American racing driver Chuck Porter designed this car in 1956 using components from a damaged 300 SL “Gullwing”, thereby creating a legendary one-off. Mastering the course on the frozen lake required a lot of focus and expert driving skills. The approximately 50 participants were grouped into six themed categories and competed with studded snow tires.

“Seeing these two 1950s legends, the ‘Gullwing’ and the ‘300 SLS Porter’, compete in the company of other historic racing cars on snow and ice for the first time was a truly unforgettable experience”, commented Philippe Franke, IWC Brand Director Switzerland. 

IWC Schaffhausen has been present in the Swiss “Top of the World” destination with its own boutique for some years now and has a long-standing connection to motorsport. The brand founded its own motorsport team in 2018. Since then, the IWC racing team has competed at events including the Goodwood Members’ Meeting in the UK and the Arosa ClassicCar in Switzerland.

Toto Wolff, Team Principal & CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, added: “The many parallels between motorsport and watchmaking formed the foundation for our collaboration in 2013. Since then, we have been able to learn a lot from each other and experience many unforgettable moments together. Our actions are always determined by long-term thinking and the extension of our partnership is great news, ahead of the new season and beyond.”

A PIONEERING PARTNERSHIP SHAPING THE FUTURE 

As revealed at Friday’s official launch of the team’s new W13 car, IWC as ‘Official Engineering Partner’ continues to secure a prominent presence on the livery, driver gloves, overalls and team kit. The extended partnership solidifies this long-term commitment to the team and includes exciting activations expected at signature Grands Prix™ throughout the season. The first of these events will take place at May’s FORMULA 1 MIAMI GRAND PRIX™ 2022 in the United States, with further highlights scheduled throughout the 2022 race calendar.

IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One are also both dedicated to integrating more sustainable practices into their operations. IWC produces watches that are meant to last for generations and has been striving to manage its social and environmental impacts responsibly. In June 2022, IWC will release its third GRI sustainability report with an update on the milestones achieved and the brand’s future commitments.

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One is working to establish its roadmap to become NetZero, in line with the stated 2030 objective of Formula One™. Part of the extended collaboration and reflecting the commitment of both brands to responsible practices, IWC will work with the team to define and deliver a meaningful contribution to Ignite, the joint charitable initiative set up by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team and team driver Lewis Hamilton to improve diversity and inclusion in motorsport. Engineering dreams since its foundation in 1868, IWC is excited to now play a part in helping young people from under-represented backgrounds fulfil their career aspirations in motorsport.

Richard Sanders, Commercial Director of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, continued: “IWC has been a crucial pillar of our partner family over the past decade. We are delighted not only to have extended our long-standing partnership, but also to have evolved it in line with our shared priorities for the years ahead.” 

The broader partnership will also extend off-track with a new online gaming adventure as IWC becomes a sponsor of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team. The virtual racing squad is based in a custom-built facility at the Formula One™ team's Brackley headquarters. There, the team’s line-up of drivers, which includes professionals Bono Huis, Dani Moreno and Jarno Opmeer, train, qualify and compete in a number of virtual multi-round championships, including the F1™ Esports Pro Series, of which Opmeer and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team are the reigning champions.

Following Friday's shakedown of the new W13 at Silverstone, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team will be in action in Barcelona from February 23-25 for the first of two pre-season tests. The 2022 FIA Formula 1 World Championship™ is set to begin in Bahrain from March 18-20.

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE 

Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team is the works team of Mercedes-Benz, competing at the pinnacle of motorsport – the FIA Formula One™ World Championship. Formula One is like nothing else in the sporting sphere. It’s a demanding technical and human challenge, combining cutting-edge technologies and innovation, high-performance management and elite teamwork. At Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, a group of passionate and determined people work to design, develop, manufacture and race the cars driven by seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and young star George Russell. The team has set a new benchmark for F1 success during the sport’s current Hybrid era, winning consecutive Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, and the Constructors’ Championship in 2021. During those title-winning seasons, the team has scored 111 wins, 232 podium finishes, 118 pole positions, 81 fastest laps and 53 one-two finishes from 160 race starts.

Learn more: One Year On: Mercedes-AMG F1 Announces Positive Progress with Accelerate 25 Programme (mercedesamgf1.com).

MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS  ESPORTS TEAM 

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Esports Team is the esports team of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team. Based on the premises of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, Brackley, a purpose-built esports training centre provides the team’s gamers with world-class facilities and state-of-the-art equipment from our Esports partners, to develop their skills, train and compete. Being integrated into the Driver-in-Loop Simulator department, where F1 development drivers provide feedback to engineers on a virtual model of the car, the esports programme will benefit from transferable elements pertinent to optimising car set-up and honing race craft.

Chronographs are a core competence of IWC. The mechanical stopwatch is also a mainstay in the brand’s Pilot’s Watches collection. Now, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer pairs its most iconic aviator’s watch with a chronograph function for the first time.

The monopusher chronograph is controlled via a single push-button integrated into the crown, making it exceptionally user-friendly and practical. When the button is pushed once, a new timing starts. Pressing the button a second time stops the timing. Stop times of up to one hour are displayed on the totaliser at 12 o’clock. When the button is pushed a third time, the chronograph is reset to zero.

In the tradition of IWC’s special editions in honour of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s world-famous novel,the Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Le Petit Prince” features the signature deep-blue sunburst dial. It is complemented with a stainless-steel case and rhodiumplated hands. In addition, the hands, indices, and applied numerals have been coated with luminous material to make the dial easier to read at night.

The IWC-manufactured 59365 calibre is one of three in-house chronograph movements from IWC. Alongside the movements from the 69000 and 89000 calibre families, it underscores the comprehensive expertise that IWC has acquired in the design and manufacturing of chronographs. In addition, it is also the brand’s only chronograph movement that is wound manually: 70 revolutions of the crown are enough to build up the maximum power reserve of eight days. A power-reserve indication on the back of the movement, which can be seen through the sapphire-glass case back, shows the energy remaining in the mainspring.

Fitted with a brown calfskin strap with a folding clasp, the Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Le Petit Prince” is available through IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners or online on IWC.com. In addition, the timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care programme and can benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

Founded in 2014 in Denver, Boom Supersonic aims to redefine commercial air travel by bringing sustainable, supersonic flights to the sky. The company’s supersonic airliner, Overture, will be net-zero carbon and capable of flying on 100% sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) at twice the speed of today’s fastest passenger jets. Boom is aiming to roll out Overture in 2025, fly in 2026 and carry passengers by 2029.

IWC Schaffhausen was founded in 1868 by the American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones. Combining traditional Swiss craftsmanship with modern industrial technology from his homeland, he established the first centralized watch production in Switzerland. Today, IWC specializes in ingenious and easy-to-use complications like chronographs and calendars. The company has also acquired unique expertise in the field of advanced materials.

“Boom is thrilled to be partnering with IWC on sustainability priorities. As a pioneer in sustainable design and manufacturing, IWC has a great deal of insight to offer others across industries. With our shared passion for the value of time, we look forward to our ongoing collaboration with IWC in helping to build the future of sustainable business,” says Kathy Savitt, President and Chief Commercial Officer of Boom Supersonic.

The partnership between Boom and IWC builds on three key pillars which are intrinsic to both companies. A special relationship with time, a commitment to engineering excellence and a dedication to incorporating sustainability across the entire supply chain.

MEASURING TIME OR CHANGING ITS PERCEPTION

For more than 150 years, IWC has been manufacturing precision instruments for measuring time. Completely even oscillations of the movement’s balance wheel divide every day into 86,400 seconds – providing the basic information needed for timekeeping, measuring stop times with chronographs, or even IWC’s legendary perpetual calendar that functions with virtually no adjustments required until 2499. On the other hand, Boom Supersonics’ mission is to make the world dramatically more accessible by ushering in a new age of supersonic air travel. When it’ll soon be possible to travel from London to New York in 3 hours 30 minutes instead of 6 hours 30 minutes, the perception of time as such and how fast it passes will fundamentally change. As travel times between major destinations are reduced by about half, we will be able to experience more people, places, and cultures.

AT THE FOREFRONT OF ENGINEERING AND INNOVATION

Whether it is about manufacturing the world’s fastest and most sustainable airliner or a complex mechanism like the movement of a mechanical watch: both Boom and IWC need to be at the pinnacle of engineering and constantly push the boundaries of physics. Boom, for example, uses sophisticated computer simulations and wind-tunnel testing to ensure the design of Overture is maximized for performance and fuel efficiency. What’s more, the manufacturing of thermal-stable carbon composite airframe components is a task that requires expert knowledge in material science. IWC pioneered the use of titanium and ceramic in the watch industry during the 1980s and has since acquired a unique expertise in the field. Today, the company’s new engineering division, IWC Experimental, plays a crucial role in driving cutting-edge innovations in areas like g-force protection or the development of highly advanced technical materials such as Ceratanium®.

SUSTAINABILITY ACROSS THE WHOLE PRODUCT LIFECYCLE

Finally, both companies have made it a priority to integrate sustainability across the entire value chain. Boom Supersonic is expected to be the first commercial aircraft manufacturer to be net-zero carbon. For example, Overture will have a fuel-efficient design and be capable of using 100% sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). Boom also wants to ensure Overture can be recycled at the end of its useful life. Mechanical watches from IWC are engineered to last for generations and are intrinsically sustainable as such. However, they must be responsibly made. IWC leads the luxury watch industry with its comprehensive and transparent approach to sustainability, committing to biennial reporting and defining measurable targets. From the responsible sourcing of materials or reducing the volume and weight of primary packaging to developing new and sustainable materials such as paper-based watch straps, IWC continuously improves every element of how it designs, manufactures, distributes, and services its products.

The partnership between Boom Supersonic and IWC Schaffhausen will see various joint projects in the future. For example, Boom and IWC will work together with a special focus on sustainability priorities. Both Boom and IWC are committed to sustainable manufacturing practices throughout the supply chains of their respective industries.

BOOM SUPERSONIC

Boom Supersonic is redefining commercial air travel by bringing sustainable, supersonic flight to the skies. Boom’s historic commercial airliner, Overture, is designed and committed to industry-leading standards of speed, safety, and sustainability. Overture will be net-zero carbon, capable of flying on 100% sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) at twice the speed of today’s fastest passenger jets. Overture’s order book, including purchases and options, stands at 70 aircraft, and Boom is working with the United States Air Force for government applications of Overture. XB-1, a demonstrator aircraft, rolled out in 2020, and its net-zero carbon flight test program is underway. The company is backed by world-class investors, including Bessemer Venture Partners, Prime Movers Lab, Emerson Collective and American Express Ventures. For more information, visit https://boomsupersonic.com.

The IWC Racing Team celebrated its comeback at Goodwood this weekend. The team’s last appearance on the legendary Goodwood Motor Circuit dates back to April 2019, when former Formula 1^TM star David Coulthard lead the IWC Racing 300 SL to first place in the Tony Gaze Trophy. This year, Austrian racing driver Laura Kraihamer was behind the wheel of the iconic sports car. Kraihamer, who races in DTM Trophy events and forms part of KTM’s car development and engineering team, lined up on the grid in the Stirling Moss Trophy.

Also witnessing the racing action at the 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting in the South of England were many members of the global IWC family, such as F1^TM legend David Coulthard and British racing driver Billy Monger. They connected virtually to chat with guests at an event hosted by Philip Rathgen at IWC’s manufacturing center in Schaffhausen, turning the Members’ Meeting 2021 into a hybrid event with physical and digital activations.

While the life-sized 300 SL lined up on the grid on Sunday, its 1:64 scale die cast replica took centre stage the day before, when IWC and partner Hot WheelsTM launched the “IWC x Hot Wheels^TM Racing Works” collector’s set. Limited to 50 pieces, it contains the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC x Hot Wheels^TM Racing Works” and the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Racing Works Edition”, presented in a metal toolbox. Set 1 of 50 is currently being auctioned for charity by international auction house Bonhams, with the proceeds going to the Two Bit Circus Foundation. This Foundation wants to create learning experiences for children to inspire entrepreneurship, encourage young inventors and instill environmental stewardship. Lovers of mechanical watches and car culture are invited to place their bids online until 22^nd October at: www.bonhams.com/auction/27446.

ABOUT THE MEMBERS’ MEETING

The Goodwood Members’ Meeting is an epic weekend of motor racing founded by the Duke of Richmond, which aims to recreate the atmosphere and camaraderie of the original BARC Members’ Meetings held at Goodwood throughout the 1950s and 1960s. As well as a full programme of racing, the Members’ Meeting features all kinds of cars from classic tin-tops and GTs, to motorcycles and open wheeled Formula 3^TM and F1^TM machines, offering visitors a friendly and intimate atmosphere with no crowds, thanks to being exclusively available to GRRC Members and Fellowship. A winning formula of spectacular cars, high-speed track demonstrations, fun-packed festivities and great entertainment; along with the very best food and drink. Joining the GRRC Fellowship is the only way to become a full GRRC Member.

Meticulous attention to detail, an unwavering commitment to excellence and a willingness to surpass boundaries and expectations: These shared values unite IWC Schaffhausen and Hot Wheels, two brands famous for testing the limits of performance and design. Both are legends in their fields.

Before achieving the status of a legend in the automotive and toy industries (the world’s bestselling toy with 20,000 designs and over 8 billion cars sold), Hot Wheels began with a dream. When Elliot Handler, co-founder of Mattel, created the first generation of Hot Wheels in Southern California in 1968, he wanted to make a toy car that looked cooler and performed better than model cars of that time. To fulfil his vision, he enlisted a GM car designer and a qualified rocket scientist. Together, they combined Detroit auto styling and space-age design cues with striking Spectraflame™ paint finishes and fast “redline” wheels to create the original Hot Wheels “Original 16”. Today, Hot Wheels is the global powerhouse of vehicle culture, uniting car enthusiasts, racers, builders and designers of every age across the globe.

Much like Hot Wheels, IWC’s heritage is deeply rooted in American pioneering spirit and entrepreneurship. In 1868, 100 years before Elliot Handler launched Hot Wheels, the American watchmaker and engineer Florentine Ariosto Jones revolutionized the watch industry of the day when he founded the International Watch Company in Schaffhausen. Combining the superior skill of Swiss watchmakers with the latest American manufacturing technology, Jones created high-quality pocket watch movements for the US market. Based on the brand’s heritage of manufacturing robust and reliable instrument watches for aviation and navigation, the world of automotive design and motor racing has long been a key association for IWC. From partnerships with Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team to sponsoring GT and classic car races, IWC is closely involved with many facets of motorsport. In 2018, the Swiss luxury watchmaker founded its own racing team, IWC Racing, which has since competed at various classic car races, racing the legendary 1955 Mercedes- Benz 300 SL “Gullwing”.

The first joint project was the release of a premium Hot Wheels Team Transport set in 2020, combining the IWC Racing 300 SL with its racing team transporter. The second release was an IWC-exclusive version of the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, which was made available recently. Now, IWC and Hot Wheels are combining two highly unique gems from Schaffhausen and El Segundo in the exclusive “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” collector set, which will be made in a strictly limited edition of 50 pieces.

“IWC Schaffhausen and Hot Wheels share a rich and timeless history, each creating iconic products through an unrivalled emphasis on attention to detail and craftsmanship on the smallest scale,” says Chris Down, Chief Design Officer at Mattel. “This partnership is a reflection of the creativity and collaborative spirit our teams share, and the result is an exceptional package that truly discerning enthusiasts of luxury timepieces, racing and car culture will appreciate.”

At the Members’ Meeting, the iconic Goodwood Motor Circuit plays host to incredible grids of racing machines ranging from classic tin-tops and GTs, to motorcycles and open wheeled Formula 3™ and F1™ machines. The 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting, taking place this weekend in the South of England, is sure to deliver on this promise with two adrenaline-filled days of qualifying, racing, high-speed demonstrations and fabulous festivities. After what seems like a small eternity, the IWC Racing Team is now making its comeback on the legendary Goodwood Motor Circuit. It was back in April 2019 – a full 20 months ago – when the team last appeared at Goodwood and living Formula One™ legend David Coulthard took first place in the Tony Gaze Trophy. This year, Austrian racing driver Laura Kraihamer will take her seat in the cockpit of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing”. The new member of the IWC Racing family is set to compete in the Stirling Moss Trophy tomorrow, Sunday.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” (Ref. I W377904) features a 43-millimeter case made of grade 5 titanium. This metal was chosen as an “engineering material” favored by the Hot Wheels and IWC design teams. It is lighter and harder than steel, highly resistant to corrosion, and often used in automotive engineering. The dark grey matte color results from an elaborate surface treatment in which the case components are first polished and then blasted. The case features a stunning engraving of the Hot Wheels flame logo on its side at 9 o’clock. The black dial is decorated with a subtle chequered racing flag pattern around the chronograph totalizers. Depending on the incidence of light, the laser-engraved squares alternate between a lighter and darker shade, giving the dial visual depth and a textured appearance. Powering the chronograph is the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre movement, which is visible through the smoked glass case back. The timepiece is fitted on a silver and black 1-piece textile strap, which picks up the color scheme of the IWC Racing Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

The set also includes the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Racing Works Edition”. This exclusive Hot Wheels model was created by the Hot Wheels design team, sculpted, and detailed by Manson Cheung with graphics by Steve Vandervate and IWC designer Nicholas Schmidt. It’s one of the most detailed 1:64th Hot Wheels model ever created. Only 50 models have been manufactured exclusively in Hot Wheels’ prototyping workshop. This version features opening gullwing doors, a faithfully reproduced interior complete with bucket seats, roll cage and red sill trims, full external detailing including clear headlights with the MB Star braces and racing graphics. As this set will be a limited run of only 50 pieces, the car will take its place as one of the rarest official Hot Wheels models ever released.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” and the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Racing Works Edition” both bear the number 68 – a subtle nod to 1868 and 1968 respectively when IWC and Hot Wheels were founded. In addition, bespoke packaging makes the set even more exclusive: The chronograph and the model car are presented in a metal toolbox in silver and black. The case also contains the instruction manual for the watch, a booklet about the project and a limitation plate with the individual corresponding set number.

ONE SET WILL BE AUCTIONED FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Set number 1 will be auctioned for charity by Bonhams. Starting today, enthusiasts can place their bids online until October 22nd. The proceeds from the auction will go to the Two Bit Circus Foundation. This Foundation wants to create learning experiences for children in all economic situations to inspire entrepreneurship, encourage young inventors and instill environmental stewardship. It does so, for example, with its Makerspaces that inspire integrative learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). These spaces are equipped with tools and mostly made from re-purposed materials. Other activities of the foundation include workshops and events, field trips or summer camps for children.

The auction is live as of October 16th on www.bonhams.com/auction/27446

To unveil the set, IWC’s CEO, Christoph Grainger-Herr, connected virtually with Chris Down, Chief Design Officer at Mattel. They discussed the shared values that unite both brands and the motivation for their collaboration. In addition, as a special invitee to the webcast, Scottish racing driver and former Formula One^TM legend David Coulthard shared his feedback and real-life experience at the helm of the 300 SL. Coulthard took first place for the IWC Racing Team at the Tony Gaze Trophy at the 77th Goodwood Members’ Meeting in 2019.

The webcast can be watched via https://watches.iwc.com/mattel

For enquiries about the “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” set, please contact concierge@iwc.com.

MATTEL

Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. Creating innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain and develop children through play, Mattel engages consumers through a portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends®, UNO® and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties owned or licensed in partnership with global entertainment companies. Mattel’s offerings include film and television content, gaming, music and live events. The company operates in 35 locations and its products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential.

HOT WHEELS

As a 53-year old brand more relevant today than ever before, Hot Wheels is the world’s leading vehicle franchise with the #1 selling toy globally. The brand engages fans through immersive live events, hugely popular digital gaming, the #1 Boys Toy YouTube channel and powerful partnerships, collaborations and consumer products.

BONHAMS

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world’s largest and most renowned auctioneers, offering fine art and antiques, motor cars and jewelry. The main salerooms are in London, New York, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, with auctions also held in Knightsbridge, Edinburgh, Paris, San Francisco and Sydney. With a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 22 countries, Bonhams offers advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full list of forthcoming auctions, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments, please visit bonhams.com.

Ever since IWC engineered the first Pilot’s Watch 85 years ago, the company has fostered an in-depth dialogue with pilots to precisely understand their specific needs and requirements. This exchange has been particularly crucial for developing the brand’s mil-spec service watches, like the Mark 11 for the British Royal Air Force. Today, IWC continues this dialogue within the frame of its military program, which emerged from the brand’s partnership with the U.S. Navy. Since 2018, IWC is licensed to work on watches for the entire U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aviation units, including Blue Angels® and the 247 active and 100 inactive squadrons. IWC has since collaborated with more than a dozen squadrons to create special editions that are exclusively available to present and former members.

Now, IWC releases three new chronographs in its Pilot’s Watches collection, which are directly inspired by the brand’s collaborations with U.S. Navy squadrons, marking the first time these designs are available to non-pilots. The annual production of these chronographs will be limited to 500 pieces each.

Strike Fighter Squadron 27, known as the “Royal Maces”, is stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan and forms part of Carrier Air Wing 5. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Royal Maces” (Ref. IW389107) is inspired by the military-exclusive edition IWC has developed with members of the squadron. The chronograph features a black zirconium oxide ceramic case. The pushers and the crown are made of Ceratanium®. The dial features the “Maces” patch at 6 o’clock and also has a yellow day-date indication. The yellow stitching on the strap, the tip of the chronograph seconds hand and the small seconds add details in the signature “Maces” colour. The case back is made of grade 5 titanium and features an engraving of the squadron’s F/A-18E Super Hornet jet next to the official squadron denomination “VFA-27”.

Naval Air Station Lemoore in California is the home base of The Strike Fighter Squadron 14, nicknamed “Tophatters”. Having formed in 1919, VFA-14 is the Navy’s oldest active squadron. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Tophatters” (Ref. IW389108) has a case made of black zirconium oxide ceramic. The chronograph pushers and the crown are manufactured Ceratanium®. Developed by IWC, this material is as light and robust as titanium and at the same time similarly hard and scratch-resistant like ceramic. The squadron’s patch with the classic top hat can be found at 6 o’clock on the dial and engraved on the titanium case back. The day-date display, the tip of the chronograph seconds hand, the small seconds and the stitching on the black calfskin strap add more details in the squadron’s characteristic red.

Established in 1946, the “Blue Angels®” U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron is currently made up of 141 members from the Navy and Marines. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Blue Angels®” (Ref. IW389109) is the third timepiece to emerge from IWC’s license agreement. Inspired by the military-exclusive watch developed with Blue Angels members in Pensacola, the chronograph features a blue ceramic case. The bright blue colour is the result of mixing zirconium oxide with other metallic oxides. Here, too, the chronograph pushers and the crown are made of IWC-developed Ceratanium®. The iconic “Blue Angels®” crest with the U.S. Navy Wings of Gold is at 6 o’clock on the dial; the characteristic lettering is engraved on the titanium case back. Yellow details are provided by the chronograph seconds hand, the small seconds and the day-date display at 3 o’clock. This watch is fitted with a blue rubber strap with textile inlay.

IN-HOUSE COLUMN-WHEEL CHRONOGRAPH MOVEMENT

The IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre movement powers the new chronographs. Consisting of 231 individual parts, this mechanical chronograph movement is engineered with a focus on robustness, reliability and precision. A column wheel controls the stopwatch function. The bi-directional pawl-winding system supplies the movement with energy, building up a power reserve of 46 hours. The timepieces also feature a soft-iron inner case to protect the movement efficiently from the effects of magnetic fields. The front glasses are specially secured to avoid displacement in the case of sudden drops of air pressure. The Pilot’s Watches Chronograph Edition “Royal Maces”, Edition “Tophatters” and Edition “Blue Angels®” will be available from September 9th through IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners or online on IWC.com. The timepieces are eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and thus benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.