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IWC has launched a special collection of watches that celebrate its links to yet another Hollywood blockbuster. Bathed in rich, velvety black tones, the dials of these Pilot Watch Chronograph watches exercise restraint and a lack of elaborate labelling, allowing fans of the film and the manufacturer to enjoy both aspects in equal measure.
To dismiss a watch featured on silver screen is to overlook an integral layer of cinematic artistry. Watches have featured in movies for years, acquiring a pop culture status that not only serves as a silent storyteller but also allows a brand to flex its creative muscles. Watches double up as crucial plot devices (think Bond’s iconic Omega Seamaster or the Hamilton Murph) and become extensions to an on-screen character’s personality. A carefully chosen design can speak volumes about a movie’s production team and the manufacturer it collaborates with.
Wherever there is a point in a heist film, or a desperate glance at a character’s wrist mid-way in a crucial moment, a watch is there, amplifying suspense and pushing the film’s narrative forward. Watches also make for compelling portrayals in fictional sports films, too. The TAG Heuer Monaco became an emblematic instrument when stylized on the wrist of Steve McQueen in the 1971 film, Le Mans, subsequently becoming near-on detachable from its role as a timekeeping tool behind the wheel of a Porsche 917K
Indeed, the portrayal of a watch on screen is never accidental. Every prop, camera angle, and frame is meticulously curated to enrich the scene and, of course, promote the watchmaker and its association with the filmmaker or actor. It says a lot about the brand, too - what its values are as a watchmaker, for example, and where it sees its watches performing when real life turns to action movie mode. One watchmaker with a particularly impressive curriculum vitae in the field of movie making is IWC Schaffhausen, which has recently launched some watches from its popular Ingenieur and Pilot’s Watch collections in celebration of a prop watch used in the 2025 “F1” film, starring none other than Brad Pitt.
IWC and Film
IWC shares a particularly interesting history with the world of cinema. Not only are some of its brand ambassadors successful actors (Cate Blanchett, Jeremy Renner, Ewan McGregor, Dev Patel) but these strategic partnerships within the film industry have helped promote the functionality and robustness of some of the company’s most beloved collections, like the Aquatimer, the Pilot’s Watch, and the Ingenieur. Some of the brand’s cinematic associations include the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition "Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor" models, sported on the wrist of Miles Teller’s character, Rooster in the “Top Gun” Franchise, as well as the IWC Mark XVIII, featured on the wrist of Cate Blanchett in “Ocean’s 8”. The IWC Mark XV also appeared in a memorable scene in “Vanilla Sky” starring Tom Cruise, while the no-nonsense design of the IWC Pilot's Mark XVI slotted in perfectly in a scene starring legendary actor Bruce Willis in “RED”. Other appearances include the IWC Aquatimer Perpetual Calendar as a tool watch on the wrist of Jason Statham's deep-sea diver character in “The Meg” and, most recently, the Ingenieur in Joseph Kosinski’s latest film “F1”.
IWC Stars in “F1” Film
If you’re partial to an IWC watch and you love Formula 1, the new Pilot’s Watch releases will impress on every level. This collaboration with the film represents a collision of customized vintage-inspired pilot watch aesthetics and high-octane, action-packed fiction. Not only does one of the sports watches appear on Brad Pitt’s wrist as he plays the role of a veteran racer, but Damson Idris's character also sports the Pilot's Watch Performance Chronograph in the film. In celebration of its cinematic presence throughout the film and its role as the official watch sponsor of Pitt’s fictitious racing team in the movie, IWC has developed a special APXGP racing team-inspired collection.
Brad Pitt and IWC certainly have some history. Not only is the A-list actor a fan of IWC when he’s away from the spotlight, but he’s also a brand ambassador and was seen wearing the IWC Pilot's Spitfire Chronograph during the filming of Mr. & Mrs. Smith. This new blockbuster, however, blurs the lines between reality and fiction, featuring Brad as the lead character, dragged out of retirement to guide the fictional APXGP to victory
The film features scenes taken from real-life F1 events from around the world and features a plethora of IWC watches as the storyline unfolds. Without spoiling the plot, Brad Pitt is seen wearing a vintage ’70s IWC Ingenieur SL ref. 1832 model with a custom green dial designed by the Cloister Watch Company. As a tribute to this special timepiece, IWC has introduced a modern Ingenieur Automatic 40 watch – a limited edition of just 40 pieces. Accompanying this special design are three IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronographs, two of which are steel and a third crafted from 18ct rose gold. All three tip their hat to the racing team’s black and gold livery.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 and 42 APXGP Watches
Two of the three “APXGP”-inspired chronographs are the steel versions in respective 41mm and 43mm case sizes. These models, along with the rose gold version, take their name from the fictional 11th F1 team that features throughout the movie. Their black dials feature white luminescent Arabic numerals and gold minute markers, along with rose gold-plated central hands and sub-dial hands. IWC experts opt for the same chronograph layout, with sub-dials positioned at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock, as well as a day-date at 3 o’clock, all protected by an anti-reflective piece of sapphire crystal glass.
Flip the watch over, and the APXGP is emblazoned onto the surface of a sapphire exhibition caseback in rose gold, revealing the Calibre 69385 beneath it. The self-winding movement is an in-house chronograph engine featuring a column wheel escapement and a power reserve of 46 hours. Some of the movement’s 242 components are put on display and traditionally decorated through the glass, showcasing some of IWC's finest mechanical expertise.
Both models are fitted with a black rubber band laser-engraved with the APXGP logo on their surface and incorporate the brand’s EasX-CHANGE® strap change system for quick strap adjustments on the fly, utilizing a simple button feature.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 18ct Rose Gold
Almost identical in design, save for a few details here and there, the 41mm IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 spotlights the demand for racing and the importance of precision via an 18ct rose gold version of the steel variant. This time, however, the APXGP branding is replaced by classic motorsport-inspired design features, such as a tachymetric scale on the black ceramic bezel, and a smooth, unadorned black rubber strap that foregoes the commemorative F1 team lettering. Despite imparting a sense of indulgence, this 41mm rose gold version distances itself from the sporty steel chronographs, although it still features a tinted sapphire crystal caseback, a rich, glossy black dial, and luminous, golden-accented appliques for legible timekeeping.
The use of the tachometer bezel not only achieves an all-around sportier aesthetic but also serves a functional purpose, allowing the wearer to measure time based on distance while at the side of the racetrack. Perfect for wearing behind the wheel, too, its polished 18ct rose gold push pieces and crown are solidly engineered to uphold a 100-meter water resistance, while the chronograph can handle measuring stop times up to 12 hours.
The 18ct rose gold version of the IWC Pilot’s Watch APXGP series features the same Calibre 69385 that powers the 41 mm and 43mm steel models. Its performance is made visible through the tinted caseback, but this time, there is no lettering relating to the fictional racing team. In keeping with the plain rubber band, this watch borrows all the stylish design cues from the dedicated “F1”-inspired steel models, but without direct visual references.
Closing Thoughts
The core concept and design philosophy of the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP watches bridge the gap between the classic aviation roots of the collection and an altogether bolder racing-infused sportiness. The manufacturer demonstrates a clever use of racing team colours, utilising black and gold hues throughout the design, which imbue both classic and contemporary nuances. Then, of course, there is the subtle use of branding in the steel versions. Those who don’t want to carry direct links to the movie can opt out by choosing the more luxurious 18ct rose gold iterations. The 41 and 43mm cases are wearable sizes for the average male wrist and have been integrated with 100M water resistance, making them great daily wearables. These new racing-inspired chronographs are a compelling choice for motorsport fans, as well as those who love the pilot watch’s functionality and its “instrument for professionals” character. Whichever way you look at these new releases, they are both tokens of cinematic history and a direct link to IWC’s aviation past. All three carry cultural resonance, without detracting from the essence of the Pilot Watch design.
All three models are now available to order from Banks Lyon. For more information, call our sales team today on 01524 381 020 or contact us online.