IWC Returns to Miami with Bright New Titanium Pilot Chronograph 41

Last year marked the inaugural Formula 1 race in Miami at the newly constructed International Autodrome, the second F1 race in the United States of the season before adding a third in Las Vegas this year (see our recap of the race experience right here). To celebrate the occasion, Mercedes team sponsor, IWC, released a Petronas-AMG themed Pilots Chronograph 41, featuring bright Petronas green dial accents, and a titanium case (see our live look at that watch right here). As we approach round 5 of the 2023 Formula 1 season, once again in Miami, IWC has returned to the Petronas Pilots Chronograph 41 with a bright new strap option befitting of the venue, and matching the special livery seen on the Mercedes cars for the race.

The IWC Pilot Chronograph hasn’t always hit the right notes for our taste, but when it received a sized down 41mm case back in 2021, it started to make a lot more sense. Throw in the surprisingly excellent Tribute to 3705 and the watch really hit its stride. When it received a titanium case last year in Miami, the watch overcame one of its biggest downsides: its heft. The lightweight case made a huge difference (similar to the Ceratanium Tribute model), and remains a feature we’d like to see added to more regular production references of the watch. As it stands now, if you want the titanium case, you had better like bright colors as this Petronas green dial is the only way to get it.

Thankfully, the Petronas green works well here, and while it’s certainly colorful, it falls on the well restrained side of that spectrum, bringing just enough personality to the watch, and balanced by the warm gray tone of the blessed titanium case. This year, the same watch gets further amped up with an exclusive new rubber strap option rendered in Miami Pink. The combo leans heavily into the Miami theme that we’re seeing adorn much of the team merch this year, and even on other drivers’ helmets, from Esteban Ocon, to Max Verstappen. 

The rest of the watch remains unchanged, and if the Miami Pink strap isn’t exactly your style, it can be easily swapped on the fly thanks to IWC’s excellent quick release system (formally called the EasX-CHANGE system) which makes use of the existing spring bar. IWC now offers a wide selection of colorful (if pricey) rubber straps that can be fitted to these cases. The grade 5 titanium case measures 41mm in diameter, and 14.5mm thick, underscoring the importance of the lightweight material. Inside you’ll find IWC’s own caliber 69385 automatic chronograph, which is visible through an exhibition window around back. 

The latest Miami/Petronas themed Pilot Chronograph 41 is a special edition with limited production, and is available online right now at the price of $8,350. The watch ships with both the Miami Pink strap, and the Petronas Green strap, so you’ll get both looks out of the box. Perhaps next year we’ll get a Miami themed titanium Ingenieur Automatic 40? IWC

You can follow this Formula 1 season along with us at our Time On Track podcast, which will be discussing the race in Miami next week.