Introducing the IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Sport Edition “50th Anniversary of Mercedes-AMG”

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its partner Mercedes-AMG, IWC unveils a new edition of the Ingenieur Chronograph Sport, which was introduced in March of this year. The new version comes in a titanium case, with new hour and 5-minute markers, and its magnetic field protection has been styled to look like a brake disc! Let’s have a look at how IWC celebrates the 50th anniversary of its partner Mercedes-AMG. 

For the observant reader, I think you have probably already spotted the similarity with the dial of the Rolex Airking. That was the first watch from a mainstream brand to feature 5-minute markers instead of hour markers. IWC’s press info about this new Ingenieur Chronograph Sport does not mention the new indices, however we can imagine that they took inspiration from the speedometers in the AMG cars, or something like that. Surrounding the silver-plated dial, is a tachymeter, which make sense for a sports chronograph, as it allows you to measure the speed of a car. If you want to know how it works check out in-depth look at chronographs (Technical Perspective about Chronographs), which explains the pulsometer, tachymeter and telemeter indications.

The titanium case measures 44mm in diameter and 15.9mm thick, and comes on a black calf skin strap with white stitching. Instead of the soft iron inner case and closed case-back, to protect the mechanical movement from magnetic fields, the brand has opted for a more original choice. IWC used a case-back with a sapphire inset pane, so you can see inside. However you will not see the movement, instead you will see the soft iron inner case, which resembles an AMG brake disc with indentations arranged in a radial formation.

According to IWC, the colours used on the dial recall the typical colour combinations of racetracks, like the red and white kerbstones and black for the asphalt. Personally I could have imagined a more realistic kurbstone design on the dial. As it is now, you need to be told why they chose these colours, otherwise it remains a guessing game.

Inside ticks IWC’s in-house chronograph, calibre 89361. This movement beats at a rate of 28,800 vph (4Hz) and when fully wound it has an autonomy of 68 hours. The interesting and quite unique feat of this movement family, is the double chronograph register at the 12 o’clock position. The two hands in this sub dial record the elapsed hours and minutes, while the sub dial at 6 o’clock is for the running seconds. An interesting fact is that this chronograph calibre is robust and allows for the owner to keep the chronograph running, so you can use that for instance for a second time zone.

Technical Specifications – IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Sport Edition “50th Anniversary of Mercedes-AMG”

• Case: 44mm diameter – 15.9mm thick – titanium – convex sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides – 12 bar (120 meter) water resistant
• Movement: IWC calibre 89361 – automatic winding – hours, minutes, small seconds, chronographs with elapsed hours, minutes and seconds – 68h of power reserve – 28,800vph (4Hz) – 38 jewels
• Strap: black calf skin leather with white stitching
• Price:  12.600 CHF / € 13.000 EUR

For more information, visit IWC.com