Horologii

IWC Pilots Chronograph Edition AMG Watch Review

IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG reunite yet again for their latest collaboration: the IWC Pilots Chronograph Edition AMG watch. Crafted from automotive engineering materials, the design is far more than just a nod to the automotive industry but a significant overhaul of IWC’s iconic Pilots Chronograph grounded in their shared values of perfection, performance, and precision with a grade 5 titanium profile, black carbon dial and the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre.

Two juggernauts of their respective industries, luxury watch manufacturer IWC shares one of the longest running partnerships in the watchmaking world with the German automotive brand. Their relationship first began back in 2004 which eventually saw IWC becoming the official timing partner for the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team. As expected, a number of special edition watches followed and their value with collectors has remained high. We expect even better results with the new IWC Pilots Chronograph Edition AMG which marks the first IWC Pilot’s Chronograph in titanium and the first 43 millimetre variant to house the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre.

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”, explains Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.

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,” said Philipp Schiemer, CEO of Mercedes-AMG.

CASE

As we mentioned, the IWC Pilots Chronograph Edition AMG is the first IWC Pilots Chronograph to benefit from the lightweight and scratch resistant properties of titanium. More accurately, the case is engineered from grade 5 titanium (Ti 6Al-4V) which is one of the most commonly used titanium alloys admired for its increased strength, robustness, lightness and high corrosion resistance. It is also uncoincidentally a material used widely in the automotive industry. Titanium is used across the 43 millimetre case, the 60 metre water resistant screw in crown and chronograph pushers which are all treated to a matte grey appearance inspired by AMG’s signature Selenite Grey Magno paint finish. The case measures to 14.9 millimetres in height and comes equipped with convex sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating on both sides. The case back is also sapphire crystal but has been tinted and decorated with the Mercedes-AMG logo.

DIAL

The centrepiece to the IWC Pilots Chronograph Edition AMG watch is the black carbon fibre dial, a material originating from AMG’s aero components. The stunning woven pattern brings to life intertwining shades of pale and dark grey which in the light will subtly shimmer and catch the eye. The carbon fibre backdrop provides the perfect contrast to silver chronograph subsidiary dials which again have taken inspiration from the automotive world reminiscent of the dashboard counters found inside Mercedes-AMG vehicles. The counters are snailed and detailed with greyed lettering to pair with the grey coated central hands luminous for their Superluminova coating. The darkened hardware continues through the day and date window at 3 o’clock.

MOVEMENT

IWC have introduced their new in-house manufactured 69385 calibre to their 43mm Pilots Chronograph collection with the new IWC Pilots Chronograph Edition AMG watch. Automatic winding, the movement delivers a column wheel controlled chronograph complication with central chronograph seconds at the centre, a 12 hour counter at 9 o’clock and a 30 minutes counter at 12 o’clock. We also get two large propeller shaped hour and minute hands, a small seconds dial and a day and date window. The 69385 is engineered from 231 components in total including 33 jewels and promises a power reserve of 46 hours and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It also offers extensive decoration, much of it seen through the titanium glass back, including perlage and Côtes de Genève striping.

STRAP

The IWC Pilots Chronograph Edition AMG watch is completed by a black calfskin leather strap which has been designed to emulate the pattern of the woven carbon fibre dial. It is also detailed with contrasting stitching in white and a matte stainless steel folding clasp.

PRICE & AVAILABILITY

As a non-limited special edition, the IWC Pilots Chronograph Edition AMG watch is not restricted by numbers and will retail at £8,500. It will be available for pre-order from 21st May 2021 through authorised IWC retail partners like Jura Watches. If you’d like to learn more about this watch and pre-order your own, head over to the Jura Watches website here or get in touch with the team on 01335 453454 or send a message to help@jurawatches.co.uk.

Specifications: IWC Pilot’s Chronograph Edition AMG (IW377903)

  • Case Size: 43mm
  • Case Material: Grade 5 titanium
  • Bezel: Fixed
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
  • Crown: Screw in
  • Case Back: Tinted sapphire crystal with AMG logo
  • Water Resistance: 60 metres
  • Movement: IWC-manufactured calibre 69385, automatic winding
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, chronograph seconds, small seconds, day, date, 12 hour counter, 30 minute counter
  • Power Reserve: 46 hours
  • Jewels: 33
  • Frequency: 28,800vph
  • Dial: Black carbon fibre with Superluminova hands and numerals, silver chronograph counters
  • Strap: Black calfskin leather
  • Buckle: Folding
  • Availability: Non-limited special edition
  • RRP: £8,500