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The new F1 movie isn’t slated to come out until later this year — but why wait till then? IWC seems to agree, which is why they’ve released four new pieces inspired by the film!

Now, unless you’re both a hardcore Formula One fan and a dedicated watch enthusiast, IWC might not be the first name that comes to mind when thinking about the link between horology and the world’s most popular motorsport. These days, you’re more likely to associate Formula One with Rolex, the sport’s long-time steward, or TAG Heuer, the returning OG sponsor.

However, the International Watch Company has quietly maintained a close and storied relationship with Formula One for over twelve years. Since embedding themselves with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team in 2013, the IWC logo has been emblazoned on the suits of some of the sport’s greatest drivers. Names like Valtteri Bottas, Nico Rosberg, ‘Mr. Saturday’ George Russell, and the legendary Sir Lewis Hamilton have all taken IWC on the ride of their lives.

Throughout this time, the Schaffhausen-based brand has released a number of iconic timepieces celebrating the partnership and its milestones — including a 41mm Pilot Chronograph, two Pilot Performance Chronographs, and even a limited-edition Big Pilot’s Shock Absorber XPL designed to withstand the fury of none other than Toto Wolff himself.

For Watches and Wonders 2025, IWC has officially said goodbye to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team. In a bold and unexpected move, they now align themselves with the Apex Grand Prix Team (APXGP) and their drivers, Joshua “Noah” Pearce and the recently unretired Sonny Hayes. You might notice, however, Hayes looks suspiciously like Brad Pitt… because he is Brad Pitt!

On 25 June 2025, the Academy Award-winning actor will step into the role of Sonny Hayes in Warner Brothers’ upcoming sports action drama F1. He stars alongside a powerhouse cast that includes fellow Oscar-winner Javier Bardem, Damson Idris, Shea Whigham, Tobias Menzies, Kerry Condon, and even the entire Formula One grid.

Of course, that makes IWC’s partnership with APXGP is as fictional as it is temporary. But the watches they’ve launched alongside it are as real as it gets! At the world’s biggest watch festival, IWC has unveiled a quartet of brand-new pieces across their current catalogue!

The first of the four releases is a limited-edition Ingenieur reference, IW328908, nicknamed the ‘Sonny.’ It features a 40mm case diameter, a 45.7mm lug-to-lug span, and a slim 10.7mm thickness. The watch is fitted with a striking green ‘grid’ patterned dial, complemented by yellow gold accents.

While it’s not exactly the same piece Hayes wears in the film — a bespoke Ingenieur SL Ref. 1832 prop created in collaboration with Cloister Watch Company — this 1,000-piece run of the modern 40mm Ingenieur line stands as a fitting tribute to both IWC’s heritage and its favourite fictional racing driver. Though I haven’t yet had the privilege of wearing this one around, I can already attest to the fact that the modern Ingenieur is one of the most comfortable pieces I’ve ever worn.

As with the other 40mm Ingenieur models, this timepiece is powered by the familiar Calibre IW32111, offering a 4Hz (28,800 VpH) beat rate and an impressive 120-hour power reserve. In keeping with the design principles of the Ingenieur line, it’s also equipped with a soft-iron inner case, providing protection against magnetic fields — a hallmark of the collection’s engineer-centric features.

Related Reading: Hands On With The Beautiful IWC Ingenieur

The remaining three releases in IWC’s latest lineup all belong to the Pilot family, but each carries unique aesthetic and technical details that set them apart. First is a new Pilot’s Performance Chronograph, encased in 18k rose gold and measuring 41mm wide, 50mm lug-to-lug, and 14.8mm thick. Along the case back, the Swiss hallmark of the St. Bernard dog confirms the gold’s authenticity, reminding wearers that this timepiece isn’t just supporting cast material. Nicknamed the ‘Joshua Pearce,’ this watch will be worn by Damson Idris’ character in the upcoming film. It features a black ceramic bezel, black lacquer dial, and rose gold accents around the numerals for a sleek, cinematic finish.

The other two pieces are standard-issue Pilot’s Chronographs, outfitted with the same black-and-gold colourway as their golden sibling. Available in 41mm or 43mm stainless steel cases, these versions drop the applied numerals but retain the bold aesthetic. As part of their partnership with the fictional APXGP team, IWC has taken a method approach to design — incorporating team branding directly into the EasX-CHANGE® rubber straps and painting the APXGP logo in gold onto the transparent case backs of both models.

Of course, for high-performance Formula One teams like APXGP and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, the need for a high-performance timepiece is practically a given. While I’m not sure how the IWC watchmaking team would fare behind the wheel of an F1 car, delivering exceptional craftsmanship is certainly within their wheelhouse. All three chronograph models are powered by the automatic Calibre 69385, offering a luxury-standard 4Hz beat rate and a 46-hour power reserve, as well as an additional day-date complication. Perfectly blending mechanical reliability with racing-inspired precision, these chronograph pieces are the perfect accompaniment to any high-octane individual or team, whether they be real or fictional.

My Thoughts

I have to admit — I’ve never been a massive Formula One fan. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always enjoyed it whenever I catch a race, but I think I’ve gotten more entertainment from the endless stream of memes and jokes about it than from the sport itself. Coincidence or fate, though, my interest in Formula One really started to grow as I got deeper into the watch world. Before learning about the involvement of brands like TAG Heuer, Rolex, Richard Mille, and IWC, I had no idea just how deeply intertwined the histories of motorsport and horology really were.

So, at what feels like the peak of my interest in both Formula One and horology, the creation of a movie about the sport —preceded by a lineup of new watches — feels pretty serendipitous. I’m an IWC Ingenieur fan through and through, and I love how seamlessly the APXGP team’s design language has been integrated into the new Pilot Chronograph timepieces. It really shows that, fictional or not, IWC takes its partnerships seriously and once again delivers for both the avid collector and the general enthusiast. Honestly, I think they took it extra seriously — because, like anyone else, IWC probably shudders at the thought of disappointing Brad Pitt.

References & Specifications:

Ingenieur Green Dial Ref. IW328908

Australian RRP: AU$19,800

Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 Ref. IW388309

Australian RRP: AU$43,000

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP 43 (IW378009) & 41 (IW388116)

Australian RRP: AU$11,900 (43mm) & $11,400 (41mm)

Availability: Limited to 1000 pieces (Ingenieur Sonny Hayes). Available now, via IWC.com, IWC boutiques and all authorised dealers.