While officially teaming up in 2004, IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-AMG took their collaboration to a new level in 2013 when the watchmaker became the engineering partner of the marque’s Petronas Formula One Team. The partnership has already yielded some spectacular timepieces such as meticulously designed versions of the Ingenieur, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph, and even the quadruple-subdial Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar. And lest we forget the pink-strapped version of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph for the Miami Grand Prix a couple years back.
However, fans of the duo might actually take to their latest effort more than any of those past releases, simply because it showcases a new edition of a lesser-used model.
A New Level of Shock Absorption
Debuting in 2021, IWC’s Big Pilot’s Shock Absorber XPL is the first to come out of the Swiss firm’s “Experimental Engineering Team” and features an innovative shock absorption system (patented as the SPRIN-g PROTECT) that effectively suspends the movement inside the case, allowing it to withstand over 30,000g in shocks.
IWC x Mercedes-AMG Big Pilot’s Shock Absorber XPL Basics
For its latest version of the Big Pilot’s Shock Absorber XPL, IWC and Mercedes-AMG have decided to pay homage to one Toto Wolff, the Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, leading them to a whopping eight straight constructors’ titles between 2014 and 2021.
Now, if you’re familiar with the standard BPSA XPL, you’ll appreciate that this new limited-edition with AMG carries over most of the watch’s features, including the 44mm Ceratanium case (made from a titanium and ceramic composite), 12.6mm thickness, and in-house Calibre 32101 automatic movement.
However, it’s the fine details that make this limited edition interesting. Looking at the movement itself through the caseback (with Toto Wolff’s signature printed on the crystal), you’ll see that it’s been finished in matte black and the BMG suspension spring coated in a Super-LumiNova colored in Petronas Green. Petronas Green is also given to the rubber strap affixed to the watch, with a black rubber strap with textile inlays also included.
On the dial side, you’ll see the typical black dial has been textured to be a bit rougher, evoking asphalt of the race track.. Likewise, the applied hour markers have been revised and given a new lume. Also, the hands are now openworked and lume-filled as well. Aside from the cardinal hour markers that are still intact, the rest of the numerals have been removed. However, there’s now a floating minute track around the outside of the dial. All around, this is a huge improvement on an already pretty cool timepiece.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 44mm
Case Thickness: 12.6mm
Case Material: Ceratanium
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: In-house Caliber 32101 automatic with SPRIN-g PROTECT shock absorption system
Band: Petronas Green rubber strap and black rubber strap with textile inlays
Limited Edition?: Yes, 100
Pricing & Availability
Limited to just 100 examples, the IWC x Mercedes-AMG Big Pilot’s Shock Absorber XPL is priced at $102,000. Head over to IWC’s website to inquire about purchasing one today.
Recap
IWC x Mercedes-AMG Big Pilot’s Shock Absorber XPL
IWC teams up with Mercedes-AMG Formula One Team on an improved version of its innovative Big Pilot’s Shock Absorber XPL in honor of the race team’s CEO Toto Wolff.
