IWC is the International Watch Company founded in 1868 the Swiss brand has long fallen behind the likes of its fellow Formula 1 watch sponsors. Rolex provides timekeeping for the circuits. Tag Heuer sponsors Red Bull. The highly expensive Richard Mille ends up on the wrists of many of those on the podium. IWC now returns to the market with an excellent luxury watch to celebrate the arrival of the Mercedes-AMG One from Mercedes Benz. IWC have sponsored the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team since 2013 and as a result, has been there for the team’s highs and lows throughout the hybrid V6 era. The IWC brand appears on the cars, on the wrists of the driver’s overalls, and then on the podium.
Mercedes’ dominance seems like a lifetime ago now with the dismal 2022 results. Although George Russell also known as Mr. Consistency, now claws it back with the occasional 3rd place finish. One area of the business where Mercedes will dominate is the hypercar segment. The AMG One is a road car with a Formula 1 engine tuned for the road that red lines at 12,000 rpm, unlike anything before it. Those piloting these mighty machines need a reliable wristwatch.
275 watches will find their way to Mercedes-AMG One owners, just one more reason to own the hypercar.
What Is The AMG One Watch?
IWC produces watches for pilots. Reliable, clear, and able to withstand extreme pressure the partnership between IWC and the Mercedes F1 team make perfect sense. It makes even more sense for the brand to appear alongside the Mercedes-AMG One. With over 1000 horsepower the Mercedes hypercar acts like a jet for the road. Hypercar owners not only act as ambassadors for brands but also tend to spend plenty of money on high-ticket items like luxury watches. Those yet to receive their Mercedes-AMG One and matching watch might never have owned an IWC watch before, instead opting for more traditional makers like Rolex and Breitling.
Dubbed the Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillion Edition “AMG One Owners”. This is an ultra-rare watch that only owners of the AMG One receive. According to IWC, they will limit production to only 275 units. This 46.2 mm watch carries the reference number IW590502. With a mechanical winding system, this shows IWC’s engineering talents, unlike many Richard Mille, watches this doesn’t show the clockwork. Although a small section around the second dial hints at the cogs beneath.
What Features On The AMG One Watch?
A rubber strap has the Mercedes three-point star repeated in Petronas Green, a turquoise blue color that features on the Formula 1 car. This color then appears highlighting a few features on the watches’ dial. The arrow on the Power Reserve dial features this hint of color. The watch then has a moon phase dial, meaning that a driver of a Mercedes-AMG One will have all the information they could need on their wrist.
The AMG One owners watch features IWC’s patented integrated constant-force mechanism, this system keeps the watch turning at the same rate no matter how much torque the watch provides. This watch also has the 94800 caliber movement. The watch forgoes traditional materials. The case uses titanium aluminide, a lightweight material that often appears in the engines of Formula 1 cars. Covering the face comes a sapphire glass face. This casing provides protection against water up to 6 bar of pressure.
But importantly nobody knows how much one pays for the pleasure of owning this limited-run watch. With a reported asking price of $2.7 million for the Mercedes-AMG One perhaps this came in the Mercedes branded goody bag.
What Other Formula 1 Themed Watches Are There?
This isn’t the only Formula 1-themed watch to come from IWC. The Swiss manufacturer produced the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 available in both Petronas Green and Black. This watch came with two straps, one rubber and another calfskin. Importantly this means their watch comes ready for outdoor activity but also more formal applications. When paying more than $12,000 for a watch you certainly would expect this versatility.
IWC is of course not the only watch brand in the Formula 1 game. Richard Mille produces some of the world’s most exquisite and expensive watches. Drivers from both Ferrari and Mclaren appear on the podium with the brand’s timepieces. Ferrari and McLaren until this season spent less time at the front of the grid. Richard Mille cares more about getting associated with two of Formula 1’s most iconic teams than appearing on the podium. The watch produced for McLaren goes by the name RM 50-03. There are only 75 examples out in the wild that weigh less than 40 grams and cost near $1 million.
While nothing that IWC makes comes close to comparing to the watches coming from Richard Mille. The RM 008 Tourbillon costs twice that of the Mercedes-AMG One. Yet this IWC watch offers everything an owner wants in a time-keeping device.
