Today, the WatchTested team is not only passionate about watches but also loves everything related to cars. Thus, the latest collaboration between IWC and Mercedes-AMG fuels our automotive desires with the release of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition "AMG" IW377903.
The main focus here is on two three-letter abbreviations that are easily recognized - IWC and AMG. Although it is officially known as Mercedes-AMG, as it has been an integral part of the Mercedes Group since the early nineties, these three letters are enough to make most of your acquaintances a little envious of you.
History of AMG
We all know by now that AMG began its life as a tuning workshop by former Mercedes engineers Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher in Großaspach, Germany. It was in 1967, and they quickly made a name for themselves by building several outstanding cars based on Mercedes vehicles. One of the most stunning creations was the 1971 Mercedes 300 SEL 6.8 AMG, perhaps the most incredible car ever built by these two geniuses. The power was increased from an already impressive 250 hp to a staggering 428 hp. This huge car-monster, known as "Die Rote Sau" (The Red Pig), blew the doors off practically everything during the 24-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps in 1971. It took first place in its class and second overall, despite stiff competition.
Since then, the AMG brand has gained popularity and eventually became Mercedes' exclusive tuning partner, licensed by Mercedes. By the early 1990s, Mercedes took its place, and since then, many cars focused on the power of their engines. With extensive racing experience, the Mercedes-AMG division is responsible for some of the recent endeavors in racing, including unprecedented success in the hybrid racing era of Formula 1, which began in 2014. Just a year earlier, IWC was announced as the official technical partner of Mercedes-AMG in Formula 1, but the relationship goes back far.
IWC and AMG Join Forces
The new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition "AMG" is not the first "flirt" between the two brands, as there are many watch productions dedicated to the world of cars and motorsport. Since these two brands started working together in 2004, the most notable fact of which is that IWC is the official timing partner of the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team, a number of special watches have been released.
Back in 2014, we saw two limited editions of the IWC Ingenieur Chronograph, designed by Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, who at the time raced for Mercedes-AMG Formula 1. These tactile sports watches feature a titanium case with a zirconium oxide crown and buttons. Lewis chose a carbon fiber dial and a titanium bracelet, while Nico opted for a textile strap with a silver-plated dial and yellow hands.
Two years later, we released another IWC Ingenieur Chronograph, this time dedicated to the legendary Silberpfeil racing cars of the German manufacturer. The "Silberpfeil" designation came from an era when Grand Prix cars (not the later Formula 1 cars) were painted in national colors. Germany used white as its national racing color, and legend has it that during a meticulous inspection at a race in 1934, the Mercedes W25 Grand Prix car was slightly overweight and deemed illegal.
The decision to strip the car of its white paint layer and completely remove the metal saved the day, just fitting within the set weight limit. The race announcer coined the term "Silver Arrows" (Silberpfeil), and the name stuck, as Mercedes almost always fielded silver cars. Even modern racing cars, such as the West-McLaren-Mercedes F1 cars of the late 1990s - early 2000s, were nicknamed "Silver Arrows". The special IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Silberpfeil was dedicated to this thrilling history.
Fast forward to 2019, we saw a pair of IWC Big Pilot watches inspired by the then-title sponsor of Formula 1, Petronas, for the racing team. The IWC Big Pilot chronograph and perpetual calendar were adorned with a distinct emerald-green tone. In fact, it was the first time the Big Pilot collection, not only dedicated to pilots in the air in IWC's eyes, was chosen as a platform for collaboration with Mercedes-AMG Formula 1.
We also had the opportunity to talk with both current Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 racers, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. In these interviews, we learned what drives them and what watches mean to both men. Of course, we also talked about cars, not wanting to exclude that from the equation, especially if we're chatting with Formula 1 racers.
New IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition "AMG"
With more than 15 years of shared history and 8 years as the official engineer partner of Formula 1, IWC has launched its latest collaboration; the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition "AMG" IW377903. Unsurprisingly, these watches are once again dedicated to motorsport.
IWC decided to use the 43mm Pilot’s Watch model as the platform for this special edition. With a case, crown, and buttons made of grade 5 titanium in typical IWC architecture, this will be a lightweight piece but for a larger wrist. In fact, this is the first time titanium has been used as the case material in the 43mm IW3777 series watches. The matte gray case resembles AMG's signature "Selenite Grey Magno" paintwork.
The watch dial is made of carbon fiber, a material used in nearly all modern AMG cars. It contrasts with three silver chronograph counters at the 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions. This is a true pilot's watch design, featuring a minute scale around the dial's perimeter with a distinctive triangle, allowing easy identification of the top. A pair of black hands with Super LumiNova coating indicates the central time with current seconds indicated on the lower sub-dial. The chronograph shows time using 30-minute and 12-hour counters with similar style hands and a central chronograph seconds hand.
The mechanism inside is the IWC caliber 69385, which is also present in the recently introduced Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41. This automatic chronograph features several important updates over previous automatic chronographs used by IWC. It has a bidirectional pawl winding system and a column wheel. The frequency is 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour (4 Hz), and the power reserve is 46 hours when fully wound. It also displays the day of the week and date through a double aperture at the "3 o'clock" mark. The mechanism consists of 231 components and is visible through the tinted sapphire glass case back, adorned with the AMG logo.
The watch comes on a black calfskin strap with contrasting white stitching and a folding clasp made of matte stainless steel.
This is an unlimited special edition priced at 10,000 euros.