IWC Schaffhausen continues its long-standing relationship with Mercedes-Benz with a special Big Pilot created to celebrate 140 years of the German automaker. Bringing together two manufacturers with histories shaped by mechanical innovation, the new Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz combines the collection’s unmistakable aviation-inspired design with IWC’s latest approach to the perpetual calendar, presented in an appropriately restrained black-and-gold configuration.
The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz (Ref#: IW329603) is housed in a stainless-steel case measuring 42.9mm in diameter and 14.3mm thick. Based on the newer, more compact Big Pilot platform, the case retains the collection’s familiar proportions and broad dial opening while offering a more wearable alternative to its historically oversized predecessors. A narrow polished bezel provides a refined contrast against the substantial case and emphasizes the expansive dial.
Around the back, a sapphire crystal caseback provides a view of the in-house caliber 82655 and its automatic winding architecture. A historic Mercedes-Benz emblem appears on the caseback, providing a subtle commemorative detail that distinguishes this 140th-anniversary edition. Through the sapphire crystal, the movement and elements of IWC’s characteristic Pellaton winding system remain visible.
The large diamond-shaped screw-in crown maintains one of the Big Pilot’s most recognizable design elements while also serving as the central control for the ProSet perpetual calendar system. A sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides protects the dial and provides clear visibility of its numerous indications. Water-resistance can reach up to 100 meters (328 feet).
The glossy black dial establishes a restrained backdrop for the warm metallic details of this anniversary edition. Recessed sub-dials organize the perpetual calendar indications across the display, presenting the date, day of the week and month alongside a four-digit year indication, while a double moon phase display represents the lunar cycle for both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Applied solid-gold hour markers are paired with gold-plated hands in the familiar Big Pilot style, creating strong contrast against the black surface. The calendar indications are integrated around the central time display without obscuring the broad proportions and highly recognizable visual identity of the collection, while the four-digit year display adds one of the perpetual calendar’s most distinctive functional elements.
The recessed calendar displays introduce additional depth against the glossy dial, while the combination of polished gold details and black surfaces reinforces the anniversary model’s more formal character. Super-LumiNova fills the applied hour markers and gold-plated hands, maintaining the nighttime legibility traditionally associated with the Big Pilot despite the complexity of the perpetual calendar display.
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz
The “IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz” (Ref#: IW329603) is powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 82655 with 34 jewels and 28,800 vph. It comes equipped with the Pellaton automatic winding system, small hacking seconds and IWC’s ProSet perpetual calendar, displaying the date, day, month, four-digit year and perpetual moon phase for both the northern and southern hemispheres, with the calendar indications adjustable forwards or backwards through the crown. Power reserve can last up to 60 hours, when fully wound.
Mounted on this watch is a black rubber strap, secured by a folding clasp and equipped with IWC’s integrated EasX-Change system for quick strap changes without tools. The black rubber continues the monochromatic character of the dial while allowing the gold markers and hands to provide the primary visual contrast.
The “IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz” is limited to 140 pieces worldwide, reflecting the 140th anniversary of Mercedes-Benz.
MSRP: $47,200.00 USD (Approximately)
View our current IWC Schaffhausen inventory at EiT.
Feel Free To Contact Us For Availability At: