A Summary of IWC's New Watches for 2021

Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition "AMG"

　IWC has announced the Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition AMG as the latest collection celebrating its partnership with Mercedes-AMG, which has existed since 2004. This model is also the first pilot's chronograph to feature a titanium case. Crafted from grade 5 titanium, its matte gray exterior is inspired by AMG's signature Selenite Gray Magno paint finish. The precisely woven carbon fiber dial is directly borrowed from AMG's aerodynamic components. The movement is the in-house automatic chronograph caliber 69385, which is also featured in the Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41, introduced this year. This marks the first time it has been used in a 43mm model. The caliber 69385 features a column wheel, a well-respected movement for better operation and aesthetics. The hour, minute and chronograph hands are located in the center of the dial, with a day-date display at 3 o'clock, a small second at 6 o'clock, a 12-hour counter at 9 o'clock and a 30-minute counter at 12 o'clock. The carbon weave pattern and the silver in-dials next to it create a design reminiscent of motorsport instruments.

Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL

　The Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL has been announced, featuring a shock absorber system that significantly improves shock resistance. This is the first model created by IWC Experimental, a division established to develop cutting-edge technologies such as advanced materials and protection against the effects of gravitational acceleration. XPL stands for "experimental." The focus of this model is shock resistance.

　Research into the environments and shocks experienced by aircraft pilots, including those in military supersonic jets, revealed that in the cramped cockpits surrounded by metal equipment in extreme environments, collisions between the watch and the equipment are unavoidable, making pushing the physical limits of shock resistance a key functional requirement. When a watch is impacted, the movement's components are subjected to significant gravitational acceleration. This can cause delicate components to bend, break, or fall off, impairing the movement's functionality. This new model was developed to address this issue by supporting the entire movement with a carefully designed spring that evenly distributes stress vertically and horizontally during an impact. This spring is made of bulk metallic glass (BMG), which has an amorphous microstructure that requires an advanced manufacturing process, providing it with far greater elasticity than conventional metal materials. Because deformation of the spring changes the relative position of the case and movement, a newly developed winding stem is implemented to accommodate this.

　For the same impact acceleration, the lighter the object, the less stress it generates. Furthermore, for an object connected to a spring, the amount of compression of the spring upon impact is also reduced. Therefore, to improve impact resistance, the movement itself must be made lighter. Therefore, the Cal. 32115 used in this model features a custom-made lightweight structure, with the baseplate and parts made from a lightweight, highly rigid aluminum alloy, also used in the aerospace industry.

　Thanks to these technologies, impact tests conducted at the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge confirmed that the material can withstand impact accelerations of over 3g.

　The case is made of Ceratanium, a titanium alloy patented by IWC. It is as light and strong as titanium, yet as hard and scratch-resistant as ceramic. A high-temperature heat treatment during processing gives the surface the properties of ceramic, resulting in a unique matte black finish.

　This model will be produced in a limited edition of 10 pieces per year, and will be available exclusively at IWC boutiques or IWC customer services.