Watches and Wonders 2025: IWC unveils trio of pilot’s chronographs from Brad Pitt’s upcoming ‘F1’ movie
IWC Schaffhausen is going to Hollywood with the much-anticipated Brad Pitt movie, F1. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick) and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and Lewis Hamilton, the movie follows the rivalry between Sonny Hayes (Pitt) and younger teammate Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris) of the fictional APX GP Formula 1 team. As the official watch, IWC supplied the timepieces worn by the stars.
And because good things are meant to be shared, the Swiss manufacture has unveiled three pilot’s chronographs inspired by the action film—including the very model seen on Idris’s character. Additionally, it has recreated the custom Ingenieur watch that adorns Pitt’s wrist in the movie, which is poised to be a summer blockbuster this year.
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The special-edition Ingenieur Automatic 40 is inspired by Pitt’s bespoke timepiece, a modern interpretation of the vintage Ingenieur SL Reference 1832, and crafted in collaboration between IWC, Pitt, and Cloister Watch Company.
Its most distinctive feature is the grid-patterned dial in green with gold-plated appliques, the same colour combination as Pitt’s watch. It comes with an integrated bracelet with a butterfly folding clasp. Limited to 1,000 pieces, the heartbeat is the robust 32111 calibre with 120-hour power reserve, protected from magnetic interferences by a soft-iron inner case.
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This IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 is based on the custom watch worn by Brad Pitt’s character Sonny Hayes in ‘F1’
Pitt’s co-star Idris also gets his own showstopper to flaunt—the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 in 18-karat 5N gold case and a black ceramic tachymeter bezel. The pushers are also in gold, complemented by hands and appliques plated in gold. The dial is black with a refined lacquer finish. It comes with a black rubber strap with integrated EasX-CHANGE strap system. It is powered by 69385 calibre with bi-directional pawl winding system and is capable of measuring stop times of up to 12 hours.
See also: 6 best watches inspired by the speed and precision of Formula 1
IWC PIlot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 in 18-karat 5N gold case
Two stainless steel versions complete the F1-inspired Pilot’s Watch Chronograph collection—available in 41mm and 43 mm. They feature the APXGP logo printed in gold on the tinted sapphire caseback. They are also endowed with the 69385 calibre.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 APXGP in stainless steel
The caseback of IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP features the team logo printed in gold
While this may be IWC’s maiden major foray into the movies, the brand has been a fixture on the F1 circuit since 2013 when it became the Official Engineering Partner of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. The same year, it also appointed Lewis Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari for the 2025 season, as its ambassador.
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