Big Pilot’s Watch IWC Racing Works – a tribute to motorsports

IWC Schaffhausen launches a racing-inspired edition of the iconic Big Pilot’s Watch to honour its passion for motorsport. The Big Pilot’s Watch IWC Racing Works features a lightweight grade 5 titanium case, a blue dial, and a matching blue calf leather strap. It is powered by the IWC-manufactured 52110 calibre with a 7-day power reserve. Limited to 500 pieces, the model will be available exclusively at IWC’s flagship boutiques in Zurich, Dubai, and Shanghai.

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IWC pays tribute to its long-standing connection to motorsport. After entering a partnership with Mercedes-AMG in 2004, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer also became the official engineering partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team in 2013. IWC even established its own classic racing team, IWC Racing, in 2018. The worlds of motorsport and racing can be experienced in IWC’s flagship boutiques in Zurich, Dubai, and Shanghai.

A SIGNATURE IWC MATERIAL

The Big Pilot’s Watch IWC Racing Works features a case, crown, and back made of grade 5 titanium. IWC pioneered titanium in the watch industry in the 1980s when the company introduced the first wristwatch with a titanium case and bracelet. Over the years, IWC has continuously expanded the use of this light and robust metal. Grade 5 titanium is about 45 per cent lighter than steel and remarkably rigid. Thanks to its high strength-to-density ratio, it is widely used in motorsport to manufacture components of high-performance engines. Other essential characteristics of titanium for watches are its skin-friendliness and attractive matte grey colour. The titanium case back is engraved with the IWC Racing Works logo.

A blue dial with muted white numerals complements the distinctively technical look of the 46.2-millimetre titanium case. The date display sits at “6  o’clock”, and the power-reserve indication can be found at “3 o’clock”. Luminescent indices and hands ensure optimum legibility. The embossed structure on the blue calf leather strap underlines the sporty appeal of the timepiece.

A MOVEMENT FOCUSED ON PERFORMANCE

The IWC-manufactured 52110 calibre powers the Big Pilot’s Watch IWC Racing Works. This automatic movement has been engineered with a strict focus on performance and reliability. The bi-directional Pellaton winding system builds up a power reserve of seven days in two barrels. Components subject to exceptionally high stresses are manufactured from virtually wear-free zirconium oxide ceramic. A soft-iron inner case effectively shields the movement from the effects of magnetic fields.

MOTORSPORT AND RACING IN THE FLAGSHIP BOUTIQUES

IWC’s passion for motorsport can be experienced in the boutiques in Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and China. As the global home of IWC’s racing team, the Zurich boutique commemorates the early years of motorsport. The visual centrepiece is the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing”, with which the IWC Racing team has repeatedly lined up on the grid of selected classic car races.

Racing and engineering are such an integral part of IWC’s DNA. Therefore, we are excited to bring IWC Racing to life with a racing-inspired version of the Big Pilot’s Watch – one of our most iconic models. This limited edition captivates with its grade 5 titanium case and the bold, sporty design with a blue dial in a subdued look.

Christoph Grainger-Herr

CEO of IWC Schaffhausen

The IWC boutique at the Dubai Mall is themed around the brand’s long-standing partnership with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. The entrance area features a genuine F1 car, once piloted by IWC brand ambassador Lewis Hamilton. In IWC’s largest flagship boutique in Shanghai, flying cars from IWC’s partner Airspeeder showcase the passion for engineering, innovation, and pioneering technical solutions for the future of mobility.

The Big Pilot’s Watch IWC Racing Works is limited to 500 pieces. It will first be available exclusively in the flagship stores in Zurich, Dubai, and Shanghai. Later, it will be available in selected IWC boutiques and online at IWC.com. The timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program, benefitting from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.

Technical Specifications

The Breakdown