Big Pilot's AMG G 63 - A tribute to the iconic G-Wagon

In a harmonious blend of luxury and heritage, IWC and Mercedes have come together to pay tribute to the legendary Mercedes G-Class (aka G-Wagon). In a partnership that spans nearly 20 years, the two companies have consistently showcased the epitome of design, innovation, and craftsmanship.

As a celebration of their long-standing collaboration, the team at IWC gave one of their most popular lines the AMG treatment with two new versions of the Big Pilot's Watch.

Based on the recently launched Mercedes-AMG G 63 'Grand Edition,' the two watches, one crafted from 18 Carat Gold and the other encased in an innovative Ceramic Matrix Composite (CMC), are meant to be a testament to the G-Class' core tenets of; robustness, performance, utility, and timeless design.

Case

With a diameter of 46.2 mm and height of 14.4 mm, the cases of the new Big Pilot's Watch AMG G 63 present a bold yet refined profile, seamlessly merging elegance with robustness. It is a tribute to the strength and tenacity of the G-Class lineup.

The first version, Ref. IW501201, boasts an 18-carat Armor Gold® case. As per the Swiss company, this unique alloy of gold surpasses the durability of conventional 5N gold. The case's black and gold palette draws inspiration from the exterior paintwork and interior hues of the Mercedes-AMG G 63 'Grand Edition.' A black dial, black hands, and a black rubber strap with a microfiber inlay further enhance the case's black and gold aesthetic.

The second, and perhaps the more impressive of the two, goes by the reference code: IW506201. This version features an all-black ceramic matrix composite case, the first of its kind in the company's ranks. Engineered in close collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre, the fibers of this unique alloy are embedded in a matrix of ceramic rather than polymer, which makes it more robust and longer lasting. Similar to the first version, the all-black look of this case is also accentuated by a black hue for the dial, hands, and strap.

Dial and Subdials

As you might have guessed, the dials of both versions of the Big Pilot's AMG G 63 are heavily inspired by the car they are named after. The Big Pilot's power reserve display seats at 3 O'clock as usual, while a small second counter takes up the 9 o'clock position. White rings surround both subdials in a look that imitates the G-Class' front headlights. Similarly, the black dials are embossed in a relief-like structure that largely takes inspiration from the air intakes of Mercedes-AMG performance cars.

Diverging from the typical Big Pilot watch tradition, the two special edition watches ditch the classic watches' printed numerals and indices, opting for appliques PVD-coated in black and filled with luminous material.

Movement

Both versions of the new Big Pilot's Watch AMG G 63 are powered by the 52010 caliber, designed and developed by Albert Pellaton in the 1940s.

Turning at a frequency of 4Hz, this ingenious self-winding rotor comes with an impressive power reserve of 7 days. This ensures consistent timekeeping even when unworn for an extended period. As an extra touch of elegance, the movement is visible through a tinted sapphire glass back adorned with the iconic Mercedes Benz star atop, reminiscent of the spare wheel cover of the G-Class.

With over 50 watches under the Big Pilot's watch lineup, the addition of this new pair of AMG-themed watches will undoubtedly elevate the collection, blending the rich heritage of IWC with the spirit of performance and tenacity that AMG is known for.