Luxury watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen and car-giant Mercedes-AMG, IWC, have joined together to launch the Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition. Available exclusively for future owners of the performance hybrid Mercedes-AMG ONE, the timepiece is a masterpiece of horological engineering, with striking design features that have been inspired by the vehicle.
A new collaboration with Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG, IWC
Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Schaffhausen has patented a constant-force mechanism, transmitting even the smallest impulses of force to the escapement. The new Big Pilot’s Watch case is made of titanium aluminide (TiAl), an advanced high-tech material that poses major challenges in the making. With its high-temperature resistance, this intermetallic compound is favoured for components of high-performance engines in motorsport. In combination with the tourbillon, which compensates for the negative influences of gravity, this ensures a highly exact rate.
The watch’s IWC-manufactured 94800 calibre is manually wound, with a power store of 96 hours in its twin barrels. The fully blackened movement is visible through the sapphire glass back, made from made of Ceratanium®. Based on a special titanium alloy, Ceratanium® has been developed by IWC, to be as light and rigid as titanium, but as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic.
Making Formula 1 accessible
The Mercedes-AMG brings technology from the F1 motor track to the ordinary streets – a feat long dreamed about by engineers After a long engineering journey is about to make this dream come true. The two-seater hypercar will transfer the latest and most efficient high-class motor tech, with a hybrid that’s capable of 1,000 horsepower at a maximum speed of over 350 km/h.
Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen says of the ambitious project:
“The Mercedes-AMG ONE sets a new benchmark in automotive engineering. It is absolutely remarkable to see Formula 1™ technology outside the racing track in the usual urban context. To accompany its launch, we have engineered a timepiece that similarly represents the pinnacle of watchmaking and material science. It combines one of our technically most advanced movements and complications with high-end performance materials such as titanium aluminide (TiAl) and Ceratanium®,”
Featuring titanium aluminide and Petronas green
The case of the timepiece – elaborately finished with polished and sandblasted surfaces – is made of titanium aluminide (TiAl), a material that’s lighter and harder than conventional titanium, highly resistant to corrosion and biocompatible (it’s used in the turbine blades of modern jet engines, as well as high-performance engines in motorsport.) However, it poses significant difficulties to work with and IWC is one of the few watch manufacturers capable of producing a case in titanium aluminide.
A constant-force tourbillon is seen at 9 o’clock on the black dial, with a double moon phase display for the northern and southern hemispheres and a power reserve display at 4 o’clock, reminiscent of a tachometer. The outer dial ring takes inspiration from the air inlets that dominate the front of the Mercedes-AMG ONE, with its louvred, ring-shaped structure. And of course, Petronas green – the signature colour of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ team – has been incorporated, providing the transition between the polished and sandblasted parts of the case, as well as dial and movement accents.
Finally, the watch is fitted with a two-tone rubber strap (black on the outside and green on the inside), that’s manufactured using a multi-component injection moulding process. And Mercedes stars in Petronas green are visible on the outer side of the strap.
Owners of the Mercedes-AMG ONE will be contacted soon, with information on how to order The Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition.
