Watches and Wonders 2025: IWC Schaffhausen blends innovation with timeless elegance

"...IWC Schaffhausen has dazzled audiences with its latest collection unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2025, where sophistication meets innovation in a truly striking display. This new range encapsulates the essence of high-end horology, blending cutting-edge technology, exquisite craftsmanship, and a bold spirit of exploration..."

The Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL

IWC Schaffhausen has redefined luxury watchmaking with the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL. This groundbreaking timepiece is the first to incorporate IWC's patented SPRIN-g PROTECT® shock absorber system, designed to protect the delicate flying minute tourbillon from high g-forces.

The skeletonised movement, showcasing its intricate mechanics, allows for reduced weight, while the tourbillon is prominently displayed at 6 o'clock. Constructed from Ceratanium®, the case and crown combine the durability of titanium with ceramic-like scratch resistance. The black skeletonised dial and hands are paired with a black patterned rubber strap and Ceratanium® pin buckle.

Powered by the IWC-manufactured 82915 calibre, the watch operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) with a power reserve of 80 hours, and it is capable of withstanding impacts exceeding 10,000 g. Limited to just 100 pieces, the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL epitomises exclusivity and luxury, making it highly desirable among collectors.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP is expertly crafted in two sizes: 43 mm and 41 mm, both in luxurious stainless steel. Designed specifically for the “APXGP” racing team from the film "F1® THE MOVIE," these watches feature a striking black, gold, and white colour scheme.

The sophisticated black dials are complemented by white Arabic numerals and gold minute markers, while gold-plated hour, minute, and sub-dial hands filled with white Super-LumiNova® ensure high visibility. A tinted sapphire case back reveals the intricate movement and showcases the “APXGP” logo in gold, with both models offering water resistance of up to 10 bar. Fitted with practical black rubber straps that employ IWC's EasX-CHANGE® system, strap swaps are effortless and tool-free. At the core of each model lies the IWC-manufactured calibre 69385, designed for precision and performance, capable of timing up to 12 hours. It features sub-dials for hours and minutes at 9 and 12 o’clock positions, with a power reserve of 46 hours.

The Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 (Ref. IW388309) exemplifies luxury with its stunning 18-carat 5N gold case, complete with a sapphire case back and a striking black lacquered dial, all accented by a black ceramic tachymeter bezel. This sophisticated timepiece is set to adorn the wrist of Damson Idris’ character, Joshua Pearce.

Crafted from 18-carat 5N gold, the case, pushers, and crown feature gold-plated appliques and hands filled with luminous white Super-LumiNova®. The black lacquered dial, produced through an intricate engineering process. The gold-plated appliques, polished by hand, enhance the indices, numerals, and characteristic triangle at 12 o’clock, all filled with Super-LumiNova® for optimal visibility. Completing the watch is a black rubber strap that incorporates IWC’s innovative EasX-CHANGE® strap change system, adding both versatility and comfort to this remarkable chronograph.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, "F1® THE MOVIE" showcases this collaboration and is set for cinematic release on 27 June 2025, with global screenings starting on 25 June 2025. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP is a testament to the fusion of film and fine watchmaking, making it a must-have for collectors.

 The Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar (Ref. IW388801)

In 2023, IWC Schaffhausen debuted the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41, marking a significant step in the evolution of its pilot’s watch collection. This year, the brand has raised the stakes with the introduction of the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar (Ref. IW388801), which stands as the first chronograph to incorporate a perpetual calendar alongside a ceramic bezel featuring a tachymeter scale.

The watch exudes an authoritative aesthetic with its all-black configuration, crafted from IWC’s innovative Ceratanium®. This pioneering material, a fusion of titanium's robust properties and the hardness of ceramic, ensures both lightweight comfort and exceptional scratch resistance. The polished black ceramic bezel facilitates average speed calculations over a kilometre, while the captivating black dial—featuring a unique hammered texture—serves as a canvas for the date and month display discs, echoing the spirit of IWC’s iconic Pallweber pocket watches from the 1880s.

The perpetual calendar is elegantly executed with large golden discs that present the date and month in a digital format, driven by a highly sophisticated mechanism that accurately tracks the varying lengths of months and leap years. Behind this complexity lies the IWC-manufactured calibre 89802, a refined mechanical movement comprising 474 components that also powers the chronograph function. With an impressive power reserve of 68 hours, this remarkable movement can be admired through the tinted sapphire glass case back, showcasing blackened bridges and a skeletonised rotor that exemplify IWC’s dedication to horological artistry.

The Ingenieur Automatic 40 (Ref. IW328908) 

The Ingenieur Automatic 40, featuring a captivating green dial, emerges as a distinguished special edition inspired by the timepiece donned by Sonny Hayes, the character brought to life by Brad Pitt in the much-anticipated film "F1® THE MOVIE." Hayes, a seasoned racing driver, enthrals audiences throughout the cinematic experience, wearing a bespoke Ingenieur SL Reference 1832 that showcases a striking green dial—symbolic of his unique persona.

The Ingenieur Automatic 40 (Reference IW328908) transcends conventional wristwatches, embodying a true masterpiece of horological engineering. It features a sleek stainless steel case complemented by an integrated bracelet designed for superior comfort. The grid-patterned green dial is accentuated with gold-plated elements, reflecting the character's distinctive style. With hands and hour markers filled with Super-LumiNova®, the watch guarantees excellent legibility even in low-light environments. Its distinctive bezel, secured with five screws, highlights IWC's unwavering commitment to innovation and precision.

Powered by the IWC-manufactured 32111 calibre, this remarkable piece boasts an impressive 120-hour power reserve and water resistance of up to 10 bar. Additionally, the inclusion of a soft-iron inner case effectively shields the movement from magnetic fields, aligning with the Ingenieur's legacy of advanced engineering excellence. With a limited production run of just 1,000 pieces.

The Ingenieur Automatic 35 

The Ingenieur Automatic 35 has made its debut in an updated version, boasting a refined 35-millimetre case available in three stunning designs. One model showcases the luxurious allure of 18-carat 5N gold, featuring a captivating gold-coloured dial, while the other two interpretations are expertly crafted from stainless steel, offered with either a classy black or a gleaming silver-plated dial.

Staying true to the distinguished heritage of the original Ingenieur, the Ingenieur Automatic 35 showcases an array of defining features, including a robust bezel secured by five functional screws and the iconic “Grid” patterned dial. This model also presents an elegantly framed date window accompanied by applied hour indices. Despite its compact size—measuring 35 mm in diameter and a mere 9.44 mm in thickness—the watch offers exceptional comfort and wearability. The models exhibit exquisite craftsmanship, showcasing a skillful blend of satin and polished finishes that create a striking visual appeal. The distinctive “Grid” dial is elaborately crafted, with the gold version adorned with gold appliques and gold-plated hands, while the stainless steel versions feature steel appliques with rhodium-plated hands for an elegant touch.

All three iterations are equipped with a sapphire glass case back, allowing enthusiasts a glimpse of the automatic calibre 47110, which offers an impressive 42-hour power reserve. This sophisticated movement is lavishly finished with circular graining and refined Geneva stripes, highlighting the exceptional craftsmanship for which IWC Schaffhausen is renowned.

The Ingenieur Automatic 40

The Ingenieur Automatic 40 is elegantly introduced in a striking 18-carat 5N gold case and bracelet, complemented by a unique black “Grid” dial that commands attention. This model's design pays homage to the aesthetic principles of the Ingenieur SL created by Gérald Genta in the 1970s while simultaneously elevating comfort with a 40-millimetre case size and an integrated bracelet that seamlessly connects to the case, ensuring an outstanding fit.

The hour markers are crafted from exquisite 5N gold, paired with hands that are coated in Super-LumiNova® for optimal visibility in all lighting conditions. Furthermore, the watch boasts exquisite detailing, with a harmonious blend of satin and polished finishes adorning both the case and bracelet. At its heart lies the IWC-manufactured 32111 calibre, delivering an impressive power reserve of 120 hours, which can be admired through a transparent sapphire glass case back. This model epitomises luxurious craftsmanship and exceptional design, showcasing remarkable attention to detail and superior functionality throughout. 

The Ingenieur Automatic 42

The Ingenieur Automatic 42 has made its debut in an elegant black ceramic finish, showcasing a pioneering design that seamlessly connects the case and bracelet for the first time in a fully ceramic execution. This remarkable timepiece introduces a sophisticated interplay of surface textures, featuring meticulous polishing, sandblasting, and additional polishing techniques. The choice of ceramic, celebrated for its remarkable durability, lightweight characteristics, and resilience to temperature fluctuations, establishes it as an exemplary material for luxury wristwatches. IWC Schaffhausen’s history in ceramic dates back to 1986, when they first unveiled a black zirconium oxide ceramic wristwatch.

The Ingenieur Automatic 42 (Ref. IW338903) boasts a case, bezel, and case back crafted entirely from black zirconium oxide ceramic, with every component expertly designed for optimal wearing comfort. The striking black dial is adorned with IWC's signature "Grid" pattern, while the hands and hour markers are treated with Super-LumiNova® for outstanding legibility under varied lighting conditions. This innovative ceramic case design preserves the iconic proportions of the Ingenieur while ensuring both structural integrity and a water resistance rating of up to 10 bar, achieved through the strategic integration of ceramic and titanium components.

Powering this exquisite timepiece is the IWC-manufactured calibre 82110, visible through a tinted sapphire case back, providing an impressive power reserve of 60 hours.

Also See: The ultimate racing-inspired timepiece: IWC’s new Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 AMG