Swiss watchmaker IWC Shaffhausen together with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team unveiled the first official team watch at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix over the weekend.
Crafted in lightweight and durable grade 5 titanium, this model is an IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team” model that features a black dial with printing and luminescence in the team’s signature Petronas aquamarine green color. It is powered by the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre movement, the chronograph watch comes with two straps in calfskin and rubber that can be exchanged quickly and easily thanks to the integrated EasX-Change strap system.
IWC has been the official engineering partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team since 2013. This decade-long partnership was born out of shared values that are common between the two groups, among them are the unwavering passion for engineering excellence, pioneering technical innovations and striving for performance at the highest levels.
IWC CEO Chris Grainger-Herr and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff chose Miami for showing off their most recent collaboration, their first-ever official team watch. Which means that the watch will be worn by the entire team, including designers, aerodynamicists, race engineers, strategists and mechanics.
“Both fine watchmaking and racing are all about precision, craftsmanship and performance engineering. But it’s the human factor – the passion the love and the dedication that make all the difference between good and great. This notion perfectly describes our long-standing partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team and we are celebrating this partnership with the launch of the new team watch in Miami,” explained Grainger-Herr.
“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,” Mercedes-AMG CEO and Team Principal Toto Wolff said.
IWC says that the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team” (Ref. IW388108) boasts the grade 5 titanium because it has 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 grayish 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.
The watch comes with two straps – one in black embossed calfskin strap, and one green rubber strap in Petronas’ signature aquamarine greenish color.
MAIN PHOTO: IWC CEO Chris Grainger-Herr (right) and Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Principal and CEO Toto Wolff in Miami
