NOVELTIES 2021

IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC X HOT WHEELS™ Racing Works”, Ref. IW377904

On the occasion of the 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting on 16th October 2021, Swiss luxury watch maker IWC Schaffhausen in partnership with the American die-cast toy car brand Hot Wheels™ unveiled the “IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works” collector’s set.

Limited to 50 pieces, the IWC x Hot Wheels™ “Racing Works” collector’s set contains the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” and the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Racing Works Edition”, presented in a metal toolbox. The first set will be auctioned online by international auction house Bonhams with the proceeds going to the Two Bit Circus Foundation.

Hot Wheels™ is leading brand in the automotive and toy industries (the world’s bestselling toy with 20,000 designs and over 8 billion cars sold). Introduced in 1968, Hot Wheels belongs to Mattel, a top global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world.

The first joint project between IWC and Hot Wheels™ was the release of a premium Hot Wheels Team Transport set in 2020, combining the IWC Racing 300 SL with its racing team transporter. The second release was an IWC-exclusive version of the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, which was made available recently. Now, IWC and Hot Wheels are combining two highly unique gems from Schaffhausen and El Segundo in the exclusive “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” collector set, which will be made in a strictly limited edition of 50 pieces.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” (Ref. I W377904) features a 43-millimeter case made of grade 5 titanium. The dark grey matte color of the case results from an elaborate surface treatment in which the case components are first polished and then blasted.

The case features a stunning engraving of the Hot Wheels flame logo on its side at 9 o’clock. The black dial is decorated with a subtle chequered racing flag pattern around the chronograph totalizers. Depending on the incidence of light, the laser-engraved squares alternate between a lighter and darker shade, giving the dial visual depth and a textured appearance. Powering the chronograph is the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre movement, which is visible through the smoked glass case back.

The timepiece is fitted on a silver and black 1-piece textile strap, which picks up the color scheme of the IWC Racing Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

The set also includes the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Racing Works Edition”. This exclusive Hot Wheels model was created by the Hot Wheels design team, sculpted, and detailed by Manson Cheung with graphics by Steve Vandervate and IWC designer Nicholas Schmidt.

It’s one of the most detailed 1:64th Hot Wheels model ever created. Only 50 models have been manufactured exclusively in Hot Wheels’ prototyping workshop. This version features opening gullwing doors, a faithfully reproduced interior complete with bucket seats, roll cage and red sill trims, full external detailing including clear headlights with the MB Star braces and racing graphics. As this set will be a limited run of only 50 pieces, the car will take its place as one of the rarest official Hot Wheels models ever released.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” and the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Racing Works Edition” both bear the number 68 – a subtle nod to 1868 and 1968 respectively when IWC and Hot Wheels were founded.

The chronograph and the model car are presented in a bespoke metal toolbox in silver and black. The case also contains the instruction manual for the watch, a booklet about the project and a limitation plate with the individual corresponding set number.

Set number 1 will be auctioned for charity by Bonhams. The proceeds from the auction will go to the Two Bit Circus Foundation. The auction is live as of October 16th on www.bonhams.com/auction/27446.

Technical details

Model: IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC X HOT WHEELS™ Racing Works”, Ref. IW377904

Functions
Chronograph function for hours, minutes and seconds
Date and day display
Small hacking seconds

Movement
IWC-manufactured calibre 69385
Mechanical movement
Frequency: 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Jewels: 33
Power reserve: 46 h
Winding: Automatic

Case
Titanium case
Diameter: 43 mm
Height: 14.9 mm
Glass: Sapphire, convex, anti-reflective coating on both sides
Glass secured against displacement caused by drops in air pressure
Sapphire glass back
Water-resistant 6 bar

Dial
Black dial with emblazoned pattern
Black hands

Strap
Black and silver textile strap

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