IWC Goes Off-Roading with Two New Big Pilot’s Watches, Dedicated to Mercedes-AMG G 63 ‘Grand Edition’

Love G 63? Then look no further, this story is for you. When you think of V8 and AMG, the legendary Mercedes-Benz G-Class immediately comes to mind. The off-roader is a perfect example of a rugged SUV that can defeat any terrain and any climatic condition. The formula has remained unchanged since 1979, when Mercedes-Benz launched the first model. Celebrating 20 years of its partnership with the automobile giant, IWC has unveiled the Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 in two versions ― one in an 18 ct Armor Gold® (Ref. IW501201) case and the other in a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) case (Ref. IW506201), dedicated to the 2023 Mercedes-AMG G 63 “Grand Edition”.

The SUV has dominated the car segment for almost four decades now. Some consider the G-Class a mark of success while others view it as a perfect off-roader to be taken off the tarmac. The “G” is short for Geländewagen, which simply means an all-terrain vehicle. Today, the G-Class has become a veritable status symbol. This year, the brand has unveiled a special edition, called the Mercedes-AMG G 63 “Grand Edition”, with exclusive equipment. Limited to 1,000 units, this performance-based vehicle is painted in MANUFAKTUR night black magno, with gold-coloured details, creating an exciting visual contrast and emphasising the particular design elements that trace back the lineage of the modern off-road vehicle to the first G model of 1979. Upon entering the vehicle, occupants are greeted with a contrast of black and gold, with the seats in  G MANUFAKTUR black nappa leather dazzling in gold stitching. The floor mats are also finished in black and decorated with gold stitching. The AMG performance steering wheel in DINAMICA microfibre features a steering wheel clasp with a G 63 plaque.

For the first time, IWC has collaborated with the Mercedes-AMG division, outside of the Petronas Formula One Team. The first watch in the new collection comes with a 46.2 mm, 18 ct Armor Gold® case, lugs, sapphire crystal, and enlarged onion-shaped crown at 3 o’clock. There is a black dial with a  diamond texture and minute marking on its outer periphery. The gold-and-black combination replicates the interior of the G-Class “Grand Edition”.

Insofar as the material is concerned, 18 ct Armor Gold® is a new type of gold that is significantly harder and more wear-resistant than conventional 5N gold. The black-gold dial features golden Arabic hour markers and a date window at 6 o’clock with a black background and golden numerals. The arrow-shaped hour and minute hands also boast a black-gold combination. Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire caseback in 18 ct Armor Gold® with a gold oscillating weight.

The other IWC Mercedes-AMG watch features a 46.5 mm ceramic matrix composite (CMC) case and lugs, and is engineered in close collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR). One can spot a large, onion-shaped Ceratanium® crown at 3 o’clock. The black dial also gets a diamond texture with white hour markers and a date window at 6 o’clock sporting a black background and white numeral.

Unlike the classic Big Pilot’s watch, which has printed hour markers and hands, these special editions have used appliques that have been PVD-coated in black and filled with a luminous material. The arrow-shaped hour and minute hands are in black and white as well. Turning the watch over showcases the sapphire caseback in Ceratanium®, with an oscillating weight.

Both models are powered by an in-house IWC-manufactured 52010 calibre and use the smallest movements of the rotor in both directions to build up a power reserve of seven days in two barrels. The caseback of each model features a Mercedes-Benz star and is reminiscent of the spare wheel cover on the backside of the G-Class. Both timepieces are finished on black rubber straps with microfibre inlay.