As the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team prepares for the new season, IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled the Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL "Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team." This limited-edition timepiece, produced in 100 pieces, combines the SPRIN-g PROTECT® shock absorber system developed by the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC with a technical design inspired by the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team colors. The shock absorber springs are manufactured from bulk metallic glass and coated with Petronas Green Super-LumiNova®.
Toto Wolff, CEO of the Mercedes-AMG F1 Team
Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL "Toto Wolff x Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One™ Team"
Automatic movement (Cal. 32101). 21 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 120 hours. Black Ceratanium case (44mm diameter, 12.6mm thick). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 100 pieces. Price: 13,231,900 yen.
Protects the movement from the large gravitational forces that may be applied during impacts
The patented SPRIN-g PROTECT® shock absorber system was developed by IWC's engineering department XPL (IWC Experimental) and debuted in 2021 in the Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL (Ref. IW357201). The system brings shock protection to the movement to a new level by employing a cantilever spring that cushions the movement within the case.
When a watch receives an impact with its case, the movement and case are typically subjected to high G-forces. The spring absorbs most of these forces before they reach the movement. Specially shaped to distribute stress evenly across its length and width, the spring is manufactured from bulk metallic glass (BMG). Through a complex manufacturing process, this advanced material is significantly more resilient than conventional crystalline metals.
Ceratanium® case and black movement
The Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL "Toto Wolf x Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS FORMULA ONE™ TEAM" features a case and crown made of Ceratanium®. This advanced material, developed by IWC, combines the lightness and robustness of titanium with the hardness of ceramic. The black dial features an artisanal grain structure, embossed with a special tool on the brass base. The newly designed triangular black hands have a smooth edge.
It is coated with Pearlinova® and the outer ring with the minute track appears to float freely on a thin plate attached around the perimeter of the dial.
Comes with a replacement black rubber strap
This model is equipped with the IWC-manufactured movement, Caliber 32101, which incorporates a double ratchet automatic winding system and offers a power reserve of approximately 120 hours. The baseplate, bridges, and rotor are colored black to match the all-black design. The movement can be viewed through a colored sapphire crystal caseback printed with Toto's signature. The watch is presented on an integrated Petronas green rubber strap; an alternative black rubber strap is also included as an accessory.
