Just in time for the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, IWC reveals another rendition of a racing chronograph, the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph. Available in two guises either titanium or Ceratanium, the new model retains the familiar visage of the standard Pilot’s Chronograph but with racetrack-inspired tweaks.

Initial thoughts

IWC has never quite had a bona fide racing chronograph with the gravitas of the Rolex Daytona or Heuer Carrera. Its past racing timepieces included the little loved and now discontinued Ingenieur and the more successful Pilot’s Chronograph Mercedes-AMG. 

With the success of the Pilot’s Chronograph Mercedes-AMG with its Tiffany blue-esque colour, it’s unsurprising that another iteration has come along. The new chronograph has a distinctive racing aesthetic despite being a Pilot’s Chronograph, thanks to the tachymeter scale and more pronounced dial markings.

The Formula 1 feel is particularly evident in the Ceratanium model that’s distinguished by its predominantly black design embellished with white and mint green accents. 

That said, the paradox of a Formula 1-inspired aviator’s watch is hard to understand – the two themes don’t go together at all, although it is an appealing sports watch. IWC is relying on the strength of its bestselling Pilot’s line to build a racing offering, in part due to the Ingenieur’s historical lack of success.

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team model

The model starts at US$9,800 in titanium on a rubber strap and rises to US$13,700 in Ceratanium on strap, while a Ceratanium bracelet is a whopping additional US$6,200.

The prices are attributed to the case materials, but the two are expensive given that the standard steel model with the same movement costs substantially less. More specifically, Ceratanium is interesting and appealing, but the price is difficult to justify because the material isn’t that exotic.

Race-ready chronographs

The two pair designs a racing aesthetic that’s unusual for IWC and represent another take on the traditional Pilot’s Chronograph.

The AMG chronograph was conceived to represent the essence of the German automaker’s tuningcar subsidiary. It has a case in titanium with a brushed finish, along with a dial featuring applied markers filled with white Super-Luminova.

The second model is the Mercedes-AMG Petronas that pays homage to the namesake Formula 1 team. Distinguished by a case of Ceratanium – which is ceramic-coated titanium – it has mint green accents on the dial that mirror the iconic colours of the Formula 1 team.

Except for variations in the dial colours and case material, both models have an identical design, including the same ceramic bezel with a tachymeter scale.

Both also share the same dimensions of 41.1 mm and 14.8 mm high, slightly surpassing the size of the base-model Pilot’s Chronograph in steel by 0.1 mm in diameter and 0.3 mm in thickness.

The AMG model

Like other comparable Pilot’s Chronographs, both variants sport a sapphire case back. The AMG model features the AMG emblem on the back, while the Formula 1 version is cleaning with lettering only on the rim.

Beneath the sapphire back lies the cal. 69385, belonging to the 69000 family of movements. This automatic movement features a chronograph with a column wheel, accompanied by IWC’s distinctive pawl-based Pellaton winding system.

Key facts and price

IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 AMG
Ref. IW388305 (rubber strap)
Ref. IW388304 (bracelet)

Diameter: 41.1 mm
Height: 14.8 mm
Material: Grade 5 titanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. 69385
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date and chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 46 hours

Strap: Rubber strap with pin buckle or matching bracelet

Limited edition: No
Availability: Available at IWC boutiques, retailers, and IWC.com
Price: US$9,800, or 14,600 Singapore dollars (strap); US$11,700, or 17,500 Singapore dollars (bracelet)

IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team”
Ref. IW388306 (rubber strap)
Ref. IW388307 (bracelet)

Diameter: 41.1 mm
Height: 14.8 mm
Material: Cerantanium
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. 69385
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date and chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 46 hours

Strap: Rubber strap with pin buckle or matching bracelet

Limited edition: No
Availability: Available at IWC boutiques, retailers, and IWC.com
Price: US$13,700, or 20,400 Singapore dollars (strap); US$19,900, or 30,100 Singapore dollars (bracelet)

For more information, visit IWC.com.