When you say “pilot’s watch” and IWC, you might think of jet fighters, Top Gun, or Spitfire. That is, anything related to airplanes and aviation. However, the brand from Schaffhausen has decided to expand the concept a bit and use the pilot collection for everything related to motorsport as well, including, of course, its long-standing relationship with Mercedes-AMG and Lewis Hamilton, as well as the brand’s motorsport team, IWC Racing. On the occasion of the 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting taking place this weekend, IWC and Hot Wheels are marking a return to Goodwood with a new limited edition – IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition IWC x Hot Wheels IW377904.
Though the brand has recently focused mostly on its Pilot’s Watch collection, which we mean everything aviation-related, IWC’s range of watches is not limited to airplanes. In fact, the world of automotive design and racing has long been a key element for IWC. From partnerships with Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team to sponsoring GT races and classic car events, IWC is closely connected with many aspects of motorsport. In 2018, the watch company founded its own racing team, IWC Racing, which has since participated in various classic car races, competing with the superb 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing number 68 painted in silver and black. And as the 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting, taking place this weekend in southern England, marks the return of classic car competitions (last year they were canceled), IWC Racing will participate with its 300 SL on the legendary Goodwood Motor Circuit with Austrian racing driver Laura Kraihamer at the wheel.
For this occasion, IWC, in collaboration with Hot Wheels (the world’s best-selling toy with 20,000 designs and over 8 billion cars sold), presents a new version of their classic Pilot’s Watch Chronograph – “Edition IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works” IW377904. Based on the classic 43mm version of these watches, they are housed in a titanium case with abrasive treatment, resulting in a matte and darker surface. The crown and pushers are executed in the same style, giving this edition a stealthy, tool-like appearance, worn on a silver and black NATO-style textile strap – the colors of the IWC Racing 300 SL model. Other features are classic: sapphire glass is protected against displacement caused by atmospheric pressure changes, and water resistance is 60 meters. The Hot Wheels logo, reminiscent of a flame, is engraved on the left side of the case.
Another key element of this edition is the dial, whose black background is done in a racing style and adorned with a pattern resembling a checkered racing flag, contrasting with black subdials with a concentric pattern. Depending on light incidence, the laser-engraved squares will alternate between lighter and darker shades. The hands and markers are coated with a gray luminescent material to continue the gray-black theme. The display is classic for entry-level chronographs and equipped with a date indication function.
Under the sapphire case back with the number 68 of the car is located the IWC 69385 manufacture caliber, an integrated automatic chronograph movement with a column wheel. Operating at a frequency of 4 Hz, it is intended to replace all Valjoux-based ébauches but has a slightly limited power reserve – 46 hours.
AVAILABILITY AND PRICE
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works IW377904 will be released as a limited series of 50 pieces. Along with the watch, a 1/64 scale model of the Hot Wheels 300 SL by IWC is included, also limited to 50 pieces (making it one of the rarest Hot Wheels models ever released). Both the watch and the car model are presented in a metal toolbox with a watch manual, a project booklet, and a limited edition plaque with an individual set number. The price of the set is 10,900 Swiss Francs.
Additionally, set No. 1 will be auctioned at the Bonhams charity auction. Starting today, potential buyers can place their bids online until October 22. Proceeds from the auction will be directed to the Two Bit Circus Foundation.
More information can be found at www.iwc.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – IWC PILOT’S WATCH CHRONOGRAPH EDITION IWC X HOT WHEELS RACING WORKS
Case: 43mm diameter x 14.9mm height – titanium case, pushers, and crown with matte finish – sapphire glass with AR coating, protected against displacement due to pressure changes – sapphire case back – water resistance 60m
Dial: black dial with relief pattern, black hands and markers with gray luminescent material
Movement: IWC 69385 manufacture caliber – automatic chronograph with column wheel – 33 jewels – 28,800 vibrations/hour – power reserve 46 hours – hours, minutes, small seconds, date display, chronograph with central seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour counters
Strap: black and silver NATO textile strap
Reference: IW377904. Presented in a metal toolbox with a Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL model, booklet, manual, and limited edition plaque
Availability: limited edition of 50 pieces
Price: 10,900 SWISS FRANCS