Apart from their professional interest in Fomula One, Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg also share a passion for mechanical watches. As brand ambassadors of IWC Schaffhausen, they had a hand in the design of their own watches, and, prior to the first practice sessions on the track, appeared for their presentation at an IWC event in Singapore.
The results are impressive: the Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Lewis Hamilton” (Ref. IW379602) has a distinctly technical appeal, while the Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Nico Rosberg” (Ref. IW379603) is both lighter and sportier in appearance.
The main aims of the collaboration between IWC and the two drivers were to equip both teammates with a personalized and characteristic watch and to adapt the concept of “performance engineering” to the successful Silver Arrow drivers.
The fact that the watch chosen was a chronograph from the Ingenieur family was no coincidence. First, the chronograph is the epitome of sports timing; and, second, the Ingenieur collection pays tribute to the global partnership between IWC and Mercedes AMG Petronas with materials typically used in motorsport, such as titanium, carbon fibre and ceramic. For both Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, the only conceivable material for the case was titanium.
The rugged timepieces have been equipped with one of the most efficient movements manufactured entirely by IWC, the 89361 calibre, equipped with IWC double-pawl winding system.
The upper totalizer displays clocked hours and minutes as clearly as the time of day. Stopped times up to one minute are measured by the central seconds hand. Another very practical feature for anyone who frequents the world’s racing circuits is the flyback function for measuring pit-stop times.
Both of the special editions, which are each limited to 250 watches, have a special feature on the reverse side: inset into the titanium case back is a medallion of carbon fibre, which may well show signs of wear and tear.
A certificate supplied with each watch confirms that the material originally comes from one of the Silver Arrow cars used by Mercedes AMG Petronas.
The back of the watch is sealed with a water-resistant sapphire glass that bears the personal logo of Nico Rosberg or Lewis Hamilton on the inner surface.
Lewis Hamilton's timepiece
“I wanted to have a watch that featured a lot of technology,” says Lewis Hamilton. The racing driver prefers metal bracelets and chose rugged, skin-friendly titanium for the Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Lewis Hamilton”. In doing so, the technophile Mercedes driver also created the only watch in the entire IWC collection with a titanium bracelet.
Nico Rosberg's timepiece
“For me, IWC watches epitomize not only complex technology and unmatched performance but also passion and emotions,” is how Nico Rosberg sums up his impressions. “These were also the elements that I wanted my watch to embody. I was certain that the combination of my favourite material, titanium, with the black strap and the bright dial would create a striking contrast.” The yellow colour of the seconds hand and of the hands in the totalizer at “12 o’clock” recalls the neon yellow helmet that was Nico Rosberg’s trademark for 7 years. The watch features a rubber strap, which has an added touch of luxury with its embossed calfskin inlay and grey quilted stitching.
Renewal of partnership with Mercedes AMG Petronas
IWC Schaffhausen also announces the renewal of its current partnership with the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team for a further 3 years.
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