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IWC holds a special place in my heart. One of my first “ultra-performance” sports watches was an IWC Aquatimer GST on a matching titanium bracelet. This was a 2000-meter water-resistant dive watch that featured a push-down locking unidirectional bezel and a mix of Luminova and tritium luminescence. This was in the late 1990s, and shortly after, I was tasked with reviewing their new IWC TZC UTC Pilot Watch, reference 3251. This model featured a sublime 5-piece bracelet with a push-button easy link removal system still in use today. It also had a display opening on the dial indicating a second time zone.
Over the past twenty years, I have had the opportunity to get to know many IWC watches. Last year, one of their releases particularly caught my attention. While their pilot series has generally been quite conservative, they have recently experimented with different dial colors, but nothing like this release. As a Mercedes F1 team sponsor, IWC released a Petronas-AMG-themed Pilot Chronograph featuring bright Petronas green dial accents. This was a 41mm version of their standard day-date chronograph featuring their in-house caliber 69385 automatic movement in a grade 5 titanium case.
For 2025, IWC has released the Mark XX Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, essentially a time-and-date version of their previously issued chronograph. This one also features a grade 5 titanium case, but this time with a solid case back. Dimensions are 40mm across the case, with a slender height of only 10.6mm. As with the Chronograph, all the numerals, markers, indices, writing, hands, and even the date display are in the Petronas team color. It also features a signed crown and a Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team signed case back. Incidentally, both are screwed down to provide 100 meters of water resistance.
The dial is protected by a slightly domed sapphire glass with an anti-reflective coating on both sides. Like all IWC Pilot watches, the crystal is secured against displacement by a drop in air pressure. The IWC Manufacture Caliber 32111 powers this piece, a movement made by Val Fleurier, Richemont’s movement manufacturing company. It is a 4 Hz movement, composed of 163 components, featuring 21 jewels and a power reserve of 120 hours. It has bi-directional winding and is also adjusted in 5 positions.
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX, created in collaboration with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, features a matching green rubber strap and incorporates the EasX-Change system for tool-less strap changes. It also features a matching signed grade 5 titanium tang buckle. The watch is currently available for $6,100. IWC
