Hold your breath. Not only because the world of Formula 1 is packed with adrenaline, but also because the watch in the spotlight today probably has the longest name in watchmaking history: “Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team.”
But don’t panic. As always, when something appears complex, breaking it down often reveals its simplicity. This IWC creation is no exception.
From Sky to Earth
The "Pilot’s Watch" is, above all, a design at IWC. It is recognizable by the triangle flanked by two dots at 12 o’clock on the dial, but most notably by the oversized “onion” crown characteristic of this collection. The adjective "Big" simply refers to the diameter of the watch: it already exists in several sizes in the catalog, including 36 mm. This new version, measuring 44 mm in diameter, earns the "Big" qualifier.
G-Proof Enclosure
"Shock Absorber" is a technology introduced in 2021. It consists of surrounding the movement with a flexible component that, attached to the case, absorbs shocks before they reach the caliber. It acts as a buffer module.
This system aims to protect the movement from the G-forces it may experience due to shocks, acceleration, or deceleration. The quest for the perfect shock absorber is an ongoing challenge for watchmakers. Richard Mille approached it differently with the RM-56-02, featuring a movement suspended by cables. Ball Watch also developed its own shock absorber, but focused exclusively on the escapement.
The pursuit of the ultimate shock absorber is not a core industry focus, as most movements—particularly their escapements—can withstand several thousand Gs, which is sufficient for most "normal" watch users. However, in the world of Formula 1, the scale is different: while an everyday shock might exert 5,000 G on a watch, F1 can expose movements to up to 30,000 G—six times more. Hence, the need for a specific development.
This technology remains highly experimental, as indicated by the "XPL" in the watch’s name, which stands for "Experimental." Only 100 pieces of this second iteration of the shock absorber system will be produced.
A Man and His Watch
This creation was inspired by a specific partnership. On one side, Torger Christian Wolff, known as Toto Wolff, shareholder of Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd, the entity managing Mercedes-Benz's motorsport activities. On the other side, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, sponsored by IWC. The watchmaker designed this timepiece for the team principal of the squad it supports.
Two Alloys in the Spotlight
From a technical standpoint, the watch features a five-day power reserve movement. The case and crown are made of Ceratanium, a titanium-ceramic alloy developed for IWC. The brand chose this composite for its resistance and striking matte black tones. It is lightweight, scratch-resistant, and was first introduced by IWC in 2017.
Finally, there’s the shock-absorbing spring, made from bulk metallic glass (BMG). This material, commonly used in microelectronics and golf equipment, was discovered in the 1960s. When rapidly cooled, it shares properties with glass, such as amorphism and hardness. While there are hundreds of types of bulk metallic glasses, Audemars Piguet notably developed a palladium-based variant for its Royal Oak Jumbo in 2023. However, IWC appears to be the first brand to coat it with Petronas green Super-LumiNova.
