IWC Schaffhausen makes the dream of owning a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL just a little more attainable with the IWC x Hot Wheels collaboration. Fondly dubbed the ‘Gullwing’ for its upward-opening doors, the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL is shrunk down to miniature proportions (1:64 scale, to be exact) and paired with a Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition.
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The relationship between IWC and Mercedes-Benz is not a new one, with the mutual admiration between the brands leading them to officially partner up in 2013 with IWC announced as Mercedes-AMG’s ‘Official Engineering Partner’ and releasing some collaborative timepieces. Similarly, the collaboration with Hot Wheels was born out of shared values, with each brand renowned in its individual sectors.
“IWC Schaffhausen and Hot Wheels share a rich and timeless history, each creating iconic products through an unrivalled emphasis on attention to detail and craftsmanship on the smallest scale,” said Chris Down, chief design officer at Mattel. “This partnership is a reflection of the creativity and collaborative spirit our teams share, and the result is an exceptional package that truly discerning enthusiasts of luxury timepieces, racing and car culture will appreciate.”
The IWC x Hot Wheels “Racing Works” set is limited to just 50 pieces, with the release coinciding with the 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting. Considering the rarity of the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Gullwing’, the small run is apt. Housed in a bespoke titanium case, the set contains the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works’ and the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Racing Works Edition’, both of which bear the number 68 as a nod to the years 1868 and 1968, referring to the years when – in a happy coincidence – IWC and Hot Wheels were founded respectively.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition ‘IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works’ features a 43mm case crafted from titanium, a metal favoured by both the Hot Wheels and IWC design teams as it’s resistant to corrosion, lighter yet harder than steel, and often utilised in automotive engineering. The case takes on a dark grey matte colour and has the Hot Wheels flame logo engraved on the side at 9 o’clock. The black dial has a subtle checkered pattern around the chronograph totalisers, with laser-engraved squared alternating between a lighter and darker shade depending on how the light hits.
The Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Racing Works Edition’ marks one of the most detailed Hot Wheels 1:64 creations ever made. It features those covetable opening gullwing doors, an accurately reproduced interior complete with bucket seats, roll cage and red sill trims, full external detailing including clear headlights with the MB Star braces, and racing graphics.
The IWC x Hot Wheels ‘Racing Works’ collaboration is available via the IWC webstore for $15,700 AUD.
Words by Theo Rosen
