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We can’t all be Lewis Hamilton but we could definitely drive a mile in these specialedition IWC Big Pilots made in honour of the six-time Formula One world champion.
HE’S A KNOCKOUT on the tarmac and he’s won the Formula One Grand Prix six times. But the real reason why everybody loves Lewis Hamilton is because his influence extends far beyond the track. In sports, music, fashion and environmental activism – he’s a vegan – Hamilton aces every race. Now with IWC Schaffhausen, he’s designing watches too. And his creative chops mirror his driving style: high-octane and hyper-aggressive yet always with a touch of luxe.
The Lewis Hamilton Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition is also proof that the British racer is a bona fide horology aficionado – from the choice of case material to the colour scheme and the high-quality finishes on the watch.
“Lewis approached us with the idea of a watch in Bordeaux-red and gold,” explains Christian Knoop, IWC’s head designer. “Our starting point was the
Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar – a favourite model of Hamilton’s, who is also an acknowledged expert in haute horlogerie. We decided on a case made of black ceramic with hints of gold and a Bordeauxred dial and textile strap. This combination radiates understated luxury.”
Red gold accents enliven this sporty high complication in all the right places and they’re tastefully done in a matte finish. Check out the fine grained finishes on the characteristic oversized cone crown and double moonphases.
Then there’s the smooth creamy yellow Superluminova which contrasts so elegantly with the polished hands and indexes. We love how the sunburst finish of the dial reminds us of a glass of fine Bordeaux Supérieur.
By any measure, the 46.5mm IWC Big Pilot is a large watch, but this 100-piece limited edition promises to wear extra comfortably on account of the matte black ceramic case, which is ultralight and scratchproof, fitting so very nicely with the textile strap also in Bordeaux-red.
Together with the pair of emerald green limitededition Pilot’s watches that IWC had made for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport, this Lewis Hamilton special edition makes up an ultra-exclusive traffic-stopping trio of auto-inspired watches.