The development of high-performance cars and the multiple facets of the motor racing and haute horlogerie worlds have much in common: they both depend on high-tech materials, world-class engineering, ultimate performance and ongoing innovation.
But equally important are passion, a pioneering spirit and teamwork. These are the reasons for IWC’s close involvement with the world of motor sport. Currently, the Schaffhausen watch manufacturer’s partnerships are founded on three pillars:
PRECISION ENGINEERING
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
THE OFFICIAL ENGINEERING PARTNER OF THE MERCEDES-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE TEAM SINCE 2013
The partnership is founded on the many parallels that exist between motor sport’s premier competition and the world of haute horlogerie.
Mercedes-AMG F1 W11 EQ Performance
The factory was bustling over the winter to develop, manufacture, assemble and test new components and systems for the new W11. Over 100’000 parts were checked in inspection with 40’000 components tested in non-destructive testing to make sure they were up to the Standards the team requires; Over 8’000 drawn parts created and put through the manufacturing and testing process. The new car proudly carries the “EQ performance” designation which stands for mercedes-amg’s hybrid models, showcasing how f1 technology is pioneering the future of motor racing and automotive technology in general.
LEWIS HAMILTON AND VALTTERI BOTTAS
IWC Schaffhausen also has close links, as partners, with the two Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team drivers: five-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton and his team mate Valtteri Bottas. These exceptional talents are two of IWC Schaffhausen’s Friends of the Brand and share a fascination for mechanical timepieces.
Driver's choice
THE 2020 FIA Formula One™ WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CALENDAR:
#IWCRACING
Goodwood Racing
In 2017, IWC Schaffhausen founded its own motorsport team. Since then, the IWC Racing Team has been competing at selected historic racing events. The team’s car is the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL „Gullwing“, one of the most iconic sports cars ever built. The car with its characteristic doors reminiscent of the wings of a seagull was manufactured by Daimler-Benz between 1954 and 1957 as a road-ready version of the 300 SL racing car.
Until now, racing legends such as David Coulthard, Karl Wendlinger and Bernd Schneider have taken turns in the cockpit of the „Gullwing“. The IWC Racing Team has appeared several times at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting and competed in various races on the renowned Goodwood Motor Circuit. In 2019, David Coulthard took first place in the Tony Gaze Trophy. The team also participated in the Arosa ClassicCar, a famous mountain race in the breathtaking landscape of the Swiss Alps.
In 2020, the IWC Racing Team moved into its new home, the all-new flagship boutique on the “home straight” of Zurich’s Bahnhofstrasse. The new boutique has been furnished in the style of “IWC Racing Works”. Using a rich blend of motorsport memorabilia, engineering artefacts and unique timepieces, it tells the story of the long-standing connection between IWC and the world of motorsport.
PERFORMANCE ENGINEERING
Mercedes-AMG is the Mercedes high-performance brand and produces the most powerful series models in the German car manufacturer’s range. Maximum quality and performance, genuine pioneering spirit and craftsmanship: IWC Schaffhausen shares many fundamental values with the high-performance specialists at Mercedes-AMG. The two companies have maintained their partnership since 2004. AMG’s roots go all the way back to motor sport.
Today, the three letters are synonymous with ultimate performance in road vehicles. Mercedes-AMG develops the most powerful series-built engines for Mercedes-Benz. These fabulous machines are assembled at the factory by a single mechanic as part of the company’s “one man, one engine” philosophy.
INGENIEUR AUTOMATIC EDITION “AMG GT”
The company is also well known for its groundbreaking in-house developments. In 2010, it unveiled the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and in 2014, this model found a worthy successor in the Mercedes AMG GT.
In 2015, as a token of recognition for this masterpiece of Performance Engineering, IWC Schaffhausen launched the Ingenieur Automatic Edition “AMG GT” in a tiny edition of just 25 watches. It is the world’s first watch to feature a case machined from solid boron carbide ceramic. Currently the hardest ceramic available, it is as hard as a diamond and as light as aluminium.
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Laureus
IWC Schaffhausen is one of the main sponsors of the Laureus Sport for Good, an organization that brings together top-flight sport and social commitment at a high level.
Fondation Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
As a partner of the Fondation Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, IWC Schaffhausen is committed to helping children and young people in disadvantaged circumstances.
Cousteau
IWC is a partner of the Cousteau Society and dedicated to protect the ocean life and support the explorations and observations of ecosystems all over the world.