IWC Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 Collection Celebrates the Mercedes-Benz G-Class

IWC have been partnered with Mercedes-AMG for close to 20 years at this point and over that time there have been a fair few collaborative watches. Coming immediately to mind is the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team” from last year, a sporty watch inspired by the height of racing performance. Now though, a pair of new collaborative watches have been released inspired by Mercedes’ signature SUV, the G-Class. Meet the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63.

Off the bat, these are on true-blooded Big Pilot’s Watches, none of this reduced size 43mm stuff. Both watches – which are only differentiated in name by their reference numbers, IW501201 and IW506201 – are over 46mm in diameter. Specifically, the IW501201 in Armor Gold® is 46.2mm while the IW506201 in ceramic matrix carbon (CMC) is slightly larger still at 46.5mm.

If you’re now asking, what the heck are Armor Gold® and CMC? I wouldn’t blame you. Armour Gold® is the easier to explain as it’s simply a specific alloy that’s harder than your typical 5N rose gold, making it significantly more damage resistant. As for CMC, this is the first time that IWC are using the high-tech material and marks the next step in their history of using ceramic.

CMC is produced using a similar technique to carbon-fibre reinforced polymers but instead of binding the composite together using polymer, it uses silicon carbide ceramic. The result is an incredibly tough and durable material that is so cutting edge that IWC worked in collaboration with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) to produce it.

In terms of the dials, they’re inspired by the front of the G-Class and in particular the Mercedes-AMG G 63 “Grand Edition”, which is where the gold and black colourways come from. The bicompax subdials with white scales are designed to look like the front headlights and the texture of the backdrop is based on the air intakes. To me, they successfully hit that G-Class vibe where they’re ostensibly durable tool watches while aesthetically leaning towards luxury. We all know someone with an SUV who has never been off road in their lives and here we have a Pilot’s Watch that will never see a cockpit.

On the inside, both watches house the same movement, the IWC-manufacture Calibre 52010. It’s an automatic movement with IWC’s signature pellaton winding system and 7-day power reserve, which is frankly bonkers. As for functions, it touts central hour and minutes with small seconds at 9 o’clock, a power reserve indicator at 3 and date at 6.

Of the two, the CMC version is my personal favourite, which is unfortunate because it’s £10k more expensive than the Armor Gold® edition. The Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 IW501201 is £29,900 and the IW506201 is £42,300. That’s perpetual calendar kind of money. Still, I suppose that’s what you can expect to pay when actual rocket scientists were involved in the production process. Alternatively, for the low, low price of five IW506201s (aka approx. £200,000) you could buy the actual AMG G 63 “Grand Edition”.