Description

The present watch is the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team”, reference IW388108. This timepiece holds significant historical weight as the first official team watch ever created by IWC Schaffhausen in its long-standing partnership with the elite Formula One™ team. Designed to meet the rigorous demands of the racing world while maintaining the iconic DNA of IWC’s pilot collection, this edition is a high-performance instrument crafted for the wrist of the world’s most successful racing team.

The 41 mm case is engineered from Grade 5 titanium, a material chosen for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and its widespread use in automotive engineering. Titanium’s characteristic grayish hue is complemented by a sandblasted finish, giving the watch a technical, matte appearance that reduces glare. With a height of 14.5 mm and a screwed-in crown, the case is robust and water-resistant to 10 bar (100 meters), ensuring it is as capable in the pit lane as it is in the cockpit.

The black dial serves as a high-contrast canvas for the team’s signature Petronas Green accents. The luminous material on the hands, Arabic numerals, and indices is rendered in this striking hue, providing instant legibility and a bold visual link to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS identity. The classic tri-compax chronograph layout is balanced by a day and date display at 3 o’clock, maintaining the functional “tool-watch” spirit of the Pilot’s series.

Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback is the IWC-manufactured Calibre 69385. This robust, automatic self-winding movement features a classic column-wheel design, ensuring precise control of the chronograph functions. Comprising 231 individual parts and 33 jewels, the movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vph and provides a 46-hour power reserve.

The watch is paired with a vibrant green rubber strap that perfectly matches the dial accents. For added versatility, it features IWC’s innovative EasX-CHANGE® system, allowing the wearer to swap the strap quickly and easily without the need for additional tools.

The IW388108 is more than a commemorative edition; it is a fusion of Swiss horological precision and the cutting-edge spirit of Formula One™. It represents a milestone in the collaboration between IWC and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, offering collectors a piece of racing history built to the highest standards of modern watchmaking.

IWC – Bio

IWC Schaffhausen is a luxury Swiss watch manufacturer located in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Founded by American watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones in 1868, IWC has been a subsidiary of the Swiss Richemont Group since 2000.
IWC is best known for producing high-quality pilot/aviation watches and using titanium in watchmaking. Since early 2000s, IWC has been recognized as a forerunner in the watchmaking industry committed to environmental protection and sustainable development.