Inside IWC’s Collaboration with George Russell

When it comes to partnerships in horology, some of them feel inevitable. George Russell, F1 driver for Mercedes-AMG Petronas, has long been an ambassador of IWC Schaffhausen, so it feels only natural that the two collaborate on a special edition watch.

As we await the 2026 Formula 1 season, Russell has partnered with the Swiss manufacturer to create two race-inspired limited editions, marking his first watch design project with the brand.

The Modern Driver’s Watch

Both timepieces, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 George Russell and the Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 George Russell, are rendered in black ceramic with accents in Russell’s signature blue and engraved with his racing number, 63. 

Inside the chronograph, the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre delivers a 46-hour power reserve, housed within a 41.9mm ceramic case with Ceratanium crown and pushers; a material that’s got titanium’s lightness with ceramic-like hardness. 

Limited to 1,063 pieces (a subtle nod to Russell’s number), the chronograph is £10,100, positioning it firmly as a collector-grade sport watch. 

The Automatic still contains the same composed design elements, minus the function of hours, minutes, and seconds that the Chronograph boasts. This version has a 41mm case, 120-hour power reserve (powered by the 32112 calibre) and 100m water resistance, making it collectable but still powerful. 

Also limited to 1,063 pieces, the Automatic retails at £7,300.

The Watch Before the Watch: Russell’s History with IWC

Before a formal collaboration ever materialised, George Russell had been a fond wearer of several IWC watches:

• The IWC Pilot Chronograph: Worn by Russell throughout his 2022 season, often regarded as the classic IWC Pilot’s watch.

• IWC Portugieser Chronograph: Dating back to the 1930s, a watch that’s timeless, sophisticated, and with a slightly vintage appearance. 

• IWC Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Top Gun Edition: A clear fan of the Pilot’s watch, this edition is entirely jet black, giving a bold statement on the wrist. 

A Collaboration That’s About More Than Style 

The George Russell IWC watch arrives at a time of transition within Formula 1. The watches highlight Russell’s evolving role following Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, positioning him at the forefront of Mercedes’ next chapter. 

IWC partnered with Mercedes-AMG in 2004, creating one of the longest collaborations between a Swiss watchmaker and an automotive engineering brand. This led to IWC becoming the ‘official engineering partner’ of the Formula One Team, and the ambassadorship of Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas during Mercedes’ championship era. 

Russell moved to Mercedes in 2022, at which point IWC released its first official Mercedes team watch, with subsequent editions in 2023 and 2025. The latest IWC Pilot’s Watch Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team is a 40mm variation that sports the team’s signature green in the rubber strap and matching markers, crafted from grade 5 titanium. 

Whilst they bear similarities in appearance, the key difference is the shade of blue used in Russell’s version, a nod to the colour on his helmet. 

 IWC also partnered with the Formula 1 film, designing the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APX, inspired by the fictional team featured. 

As authorised IWC retailers, you can view these models and the full IWC collection on London’s iconic Marylebone High Street. View the collection online and in-store, please contact us to make an appointment.