From massive billboards at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the publicized presentation of watches for the winners of Le Mans and Daytona, timepieces and motorsports enjoy a happy marriage. Formula 1, in particular, embraces this relationship. You'll often see drivers, upon completing a grueling two-hour race, slip on a prestigious watch from their team's sponsor, even before they get a sip of cold water.
That said, to design an F1 team watch that feels authentic is a rarity. But this new timepiece from IWC Schaffhausen does just that. Dubbed the Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41 Edition "Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team," it's a large, proud watch with direct ties to the modern Silver Arrows.
IWC Shaffhausen has been an official partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team since 2013, but this is the first official team piece developed by the Swiss watchmaker. The 41-millimeter chronograph's case is crafted from grade-5 titanium—commonly used in various high-performance applications in the automotive, aerospace, and nautical fields.
The IWC's black dial is embellished with that iconic Petronas green, giving the various details a nearly nuclear look. The movement's many intricate parts are visible through the sapphire glass caseback, working together in fascinating harmony, like you're staring through a portal that reveals a steampunk scene. The automatic movement features a power reserve of 46 hours, with the mainspring wound courtesy of a bidirectional rotor.
Two straps are available: one made from black embossed calf leather and the other in a Petronas green rubber. These are easily released from the watch thanks to IWC's EasX-Change system, which allows straps to be swapped on the fly without tools. We found the black strap to be the most versatile, but if you really want to make a statement, it doesn't get much bolder than Petronas green.
If you're a fan of the Mercedes Formula 1 team, this is a must-have. The watch oozes the style we've seen on so many podiums throughout Mercedes's decade of dominance. Reaching into the depths of our humor reserves, it's Toto-lly worth a look.
From: Road & Track
