To mark the decade of its partnership with Mercedes AMG, IWC has created the Ingenieur Automatic Edition“AMG GT”, a 25-piece limited edition with a boron carbide case.

Just slightly below diamond on the Mohs hardness scale, boron carbide is a ceramic that is one of the hardest materials known. The ceramic is used for armoured vehicles and neutron shielding in nuclear plants, and also the case of the new Ingenieur Automatic Edition AMG GT from IWC. Launched at the most recent Goodwood Members’ Meeting (a gathering of the Goodwood Road Racing Club), the watch is named after the AMG GT, made by the performance tuning division of Mercedes-Benz. The successor to the gull-winged SLS, the AMG GT is the latest sports car from Mercedes-AMG.

The AMG GT in solarbeam yellow

Fundamentally the Ingenieur AMG GT is identical to the Ingenieur Carbon Performance as well as the other Ingenieur watches in the series. What makes it different is the case material, a first in watches.

Boron carbide is used for the bezel, case band, back and crown guards, while the bezel screws and crown are zirconium oxide, another form of ceramic. The case diameter is 45 mm. Yellow accents on the dial and strap are modelled on solarbeam yellow, paintwork that is exclusive to the AMG GT.  Boron carbide is so hard it is only marginally softer than diamond, making this watch practically scratch-proof. But as with any other ultra-hard material, refinishing the case once it is scratched is possible. Scratches, in other words, are eternal.

Inside is the calibre 80110, part of the 8000 series of automatic movements. Utilising the gear train layout of the Valjoux 7750 for robustness and reliability, these have a 44 hour power reserve and the patented Pellaton winding mechanism.

The strap is rubber, lined on top with Dinamica, a synthetic fabric used for the AMG GT upholstery. 

The Ingenieur Automatic Edition“AMG GT” is limited to 25 pieces, priced at 35,300 Singapore dollars, with 7% tax (equivalent to US$25,800 at today’s rates).