IWC celebrates Mercedes-Benz’s 140th anniversary with the new Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz.
Collaborations have always held a special place in the watch world. Partnerships with motorsport, for instance, celebrate the shared pursuit of engineering and craftsmanship that defines both disciplines. Collaborations with the arts, meanwhile, push the boundaries of creativity. In short, the perpetual race between the hour and minute hands can find inspiration in almost every aspect of life.
One of the best-known examples is the longstanding partnership between IWC and Mercedes-Benz. IWC became an official partner of Mercedes-AMG in 2004, and numerous timepieces have emerged from the collaboration ever since. Yet it is worth taking a brief step back, as the paths of the two names actually crossed much earlier. In 1936, Albert Pellaton, who would later become Technical Director of IWC, visited the Mercedes-Benz garage during that year’s Swiss Grand Prix.
Since the partnership officially began in 2004, it has given rise to a series of watches in which two distinct engineering disciplines have continually informed one another. The latest chapter arrives in celebration of Mercedes-Benz’s 140th anniversary: the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz is marking its anniversary under the theme “140 Years of Innovation.” To commemorate the milestone, IWC has introduced a Big Pilot’s Watch equipped with the Perpetual Calendar ProSet, a perpetual calendar that can be adjusted both forwards and backwards from a single crown position. Housed in a 42mm stainless-steel case, the watch is limited to just 140 pieces.
The black dial features four subdials. The date is displayed at 3 o’clock, the month at 6 o’clock and the day of the week at 9 o’clock, while the moon-phase display occupies the 12 o’clock position. Another signature of IWC’s perpetual calendars, the four-digit year display, is positioned between 7 and 8 o’clock.
Powering the watch is the IWC-manufactured calibre 82665, offering a 60-hour power reserve. Thanks to a newly calculated reduction gear, the moon-phase display is so precise that it will deviate by just one day in 1,040 years.
