Introducing the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG”

The new collaborative Pilot’s Watch between IWC Schaffhausen and AMG celebrates a 17-year-long partnership and marks a special first for the brand – the first automotive-inspired watch for the Pilot’s Watch collection and a case forged from lightweight titanium.

There is a welcoming freshness about the new IWC and AMG watch collaboration. Back in 2005 IWC Schaffhausen and AMG – the Mercedes Benz subsidiary – accelerated a partnership that was solidified just a year before by releasing a family of noteworthy Ingenieur AMG watches and it was clear from the get-go that these watches fused together the Teutonic qualities between both the unapologetically German watchmaker and the prestigious car manufacturer. The Ingenieur AMG watches mix precision timekeeping with automotive marques. This time, IWC and AMG have switched from the familiarity of the Ingenieur palette to a Pilot’s Watch version for the very first time – the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG”.

The launch of the new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph was somewhat of a secret. Revealed during a webcast conversation between Christoph Grainger-Herr (the CEO of IWC), the CEO of Mercedes-AMG and professional racing driver and brand ambassador - Mark Engel. The new edition was revealed with its striking black carbon fibre dial framed by a 43mm case. Of course, brought together by the innovative vision of all three experts within their specialist field, the timepiece celebrates a mix of advanced industrial technology and cutting-edge, racing-inspired qualities.

In the same way that company founder, Florentine Aristo Jones redefined watchmaking in 1868, Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher who established AMG in 1967 also shared a visionary goal to reach technical perfection with their company. Based in Affalterbach, the German performance and sports car brand belonging to Mercedes Benz has been a subsidiary of Daimler AG since 2005. From classic sports cars to compact cars - the company is predominantly driven by values of speed and performance. The implementation of high-quality materials is therefore shared by AMG and IWC Schaffhausen alike since both companies are committed to thoroughly researching materials and components to improve reliability and longevity. As a sub-brand of Mercedes Benz, AMG is synonymous with luxury in the same way that the Schaffhausen-based watchmaker is associated with superior craftsmanship and an innovator of industry-setting patents. Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen explains a little about the new collaborative timepiece:

“IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG share both a passion for performance and design, as well as a commitment to engineering excellence down to the smallest detail. Over the last 17 years of our partnership, IWC and AMG have shared exhilarating moments in motorsport and beyond and we have created many lasting memories for our clients. Today we are proud to introduce Mercedes-AMG as a permanent feature of our Pilot‘s Watch Collection, starting with the Pilot‘s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG”.

The new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” is not only the first of the Pilot’s Watch collection to be driven by the Calibre 69385, but it is also the first to be crafted from scratch-resistant and remarkably lightweight titanium. Those who consider themselves AMG enthusiasts will find the matte grey tones of the watch’s Grade 5 titanium case are reminiscent of the brand’s signature Selenite Grey Magno paint finish. What’s more, the aero component utilized in AMG’s manufacturing processes, which create the woven carbon fibre-effect, are also incorporated into the dial of the new IWC Schaffhausen Big Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG”. Chosen for its rigidity and lightness, the continuous carbon fibres, developed by state-of-the-art weaving machines, are part of a complex, high-heat and highly pressured process. The “woven carbon” look of the black dial is paired with a trio of chronographs that impart a motorsport instrument-inspired look and has been fused with classic pilot watch credentials belonging to the Swiss watchmaker’s famous aviation line. Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG extends a little further:

“The partnership between Mercedes-AMG and IWC has all the components that are needed for a successful and long-lasting collaboration. It’s very rare to come across a company and people with so many common interests and values. Our commitment to craftsmanship of the highest level and our pursuit of emotional product experiences is what has united us since 2004 – and the Pilot‘s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” once again underlines our strong partnership.”.

The Calibre 69385 is an in-house self-winding chronograph movement, fitted with a column wheel for a smoother performance, plus the ability to carry out stop time measurements of up to 12 hours. The sapphire crystal glass caseback fitted tightly to the back of the IWC Pilot’s Watch is tinted and decorated with the famous Mercedes-AMG logo, endorsing the fruitful partnership between both watchmaker and car manufacturer. The silver-filled sub-counters offering 30-minutes, small seconds and 12-hour functions at 12, 6 and 9 o’clock respectively have replaced the luminescent Arabic numerals normally located at these hour markers. The new IWC and AMG watch also features a legible day-date feature at 3 o’clock.

As an authorized UK dealer of IWC watches, the new Big Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “AMG” watch is available to preorder with us here at Jura Watches now on 01335 453453. It comes fitted on a black calf leather strap with white contrast stitching down the edges and a titanium buckle fastening. By registering this watch under the My IWC app, the watch can be enjoyed under an extended 6-year international guarantee.

 Technical specifications of the new IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Chronograph “AMG”

• Case: 43mm – grade 5 titanium – height: 14.9mm – sapphire crystal glass front with anti-reflective treatment – 60-meter water resistance – screw-down crown – tinted sapphire crystal glass caseback with AMG logo
• Dial: Woven carbon fibre – Super-LumiNova coated black hands and white hour markers – Arabic numeral indexes – minute track – aviation triangle at 12 – day-date feature at 3 o’clock – 30-minute counter at 12H – 12-hour counter at 9H – small seconds at 6H
• Movement: Self-winding Calibre 69385 – pawl winding system – 46-hour power reserve – 33 jewels – 28,800 v.p.h – hours, minutes, seconds, small seconds, 30-minute, 12-hour, day and date functions
• Strap: Black calfskin – white contrast stitching – titanium buckle
• Reference: IW377903
• Price: