IWC and Mercedes-Benz are seasoned bedfellows, with the Swiss manufacture and the German marque sharing a partnership that’s lasted almost two decades. Both brands are undeniably rooted in utilitarianism, seen in their flagship products; the Mercedes-Benz G-Class was designed to offer uncompromising off-road capabilities, while the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch was produced in response to a commission from the German Air Force, with the prerequisites of being robust, accurate, and highly legible.
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The latest collaboration unites both design icons with two striking special editions of the Big Pilot’s Watch. The Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 is crafted from 18k Armour Gold, an innovative alloy that enhances the—usually malleable—precious metal’s hardness and makes it more resistant to the elements. The 46.2mm timepiece combines sand-blasted surfaces with polished edges to create an elevated finish.
Meanwhile, the second variation features a blacked-out aesthetic, executed through the use of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC). Unlike conventional carbon fibre-reinforced polymers, the fibres of this composite material are embedded in a matrix of ceramic rather than polymer, guaranteeing extreme damage tolerance. As it’s insensitive to thermal shocks, CMC is also the material of choice for brake disks for sports and luxury cars.
Nods to the iconic Mercedes G-Wagon appear throughout. Joining the Big Pilot’s characteristic power reserve at 3 o’clock is a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock. The symmetrical subdials are outlined in white rings, imitating the headlights on the front of the G-Class. Meanwhile, the dial is embossed with a relief-like technical structure that draws inspiration from the air intakes of Mercedes-AMG performance vehicles. Eschewing the printed numerals and indexes typical of the Big Pilot, the IWC Big Pilot AMG G 63 watches feature appliques that have been coated in black and filled with a luminous material.
Both IWC Big Pilot AMG G 63 variants are powered by the in-house 52010 calibre, a precise movement that makes use of zirconium oxide ceramic elements. The automatic movement uses even the most minute movements of the rotor in both directions to ensure a power reserve of seven days in two barrels. The movement is visible through the tinted sapphire glass caseback and features a Mercedes-Benz star and aesthetically recalls the spare wheel cover on the back of a G-Wagon.
The Big Pilot AMG G 63 is priced at $51,500AUD for the Armour Gold iteration and $68,100AUD for the black CMC variant, with both available via the IWC webstore.
Words by John Deckard
