Luxury Watchmaker And High-End Toy Car Builder Join Forces

 

Luxury watchmaker and High-end Toy car builder join forces to create a special motorsport collaboration on the occasion of the 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting.

From partnerships with Mercedes-AMG and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team to sponsoring GT and classic car races, IWC is closely
involved with many facets of motorsport. In 2018, the Swiss luxury watchmaker founded its own racing team, IWC Racing, which has since competed at various classic car races, racing the legendary 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing”

The first joint IWC x Hot Wheels project was the release of a premium Hot Wheels Team Transport set in 2020, combining the IWC Racing 300 SL with its
racing team transporter. The second release was an IWC-exclusive version of the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, which was made available
recently. Now, IWC and Hot Wheels are combining two highly unique gems from Schaffhausen and El Segundo in the exclusive “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” collector set, which will be made in a strictly limited edition of 50 pieces.

On the occasion of the 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting, IWC Schaffhausen and Hot Wheels celebrate the return to Goodwood with the unveiling of the
“IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works” collector’s set. Simultaneously, the brand’s motorsport team, IWC Racing competed for 2021 Stirling Moss trophy. At the wheel of the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Gullwing” was Austrian racing driver Laura Kraihamer. Limited to 50 pieces, the IWC x Hot Wheels “Racing Works” collector’s set contains the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” and the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Racing Works Edition”, presented in a metal toolbox. The first set was auctioned online by international auction house Bonhams with the proceeds going to the Two Bit Circus Foundation. This non-profit organization creates learning experiences for children to inspire entrepreneurship, encourage young inventors and instill environmental stewardship.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works” features a 43-millimeter case made of grade 5 titanium. This metal was chosen as an “engineering material” favored by the Hot Wheels and IWC design teams. It is lighter and harder than steel, highly resistant to corrosion, and often used in automotive engineering. The dark grey matte color results from an elaborate surface treatment in which the case components are first polished and then blasted. The case features a stunning engraving of the Hot Wheels flame logo on its side at 9 o’clock. The black dial is decorated with a subtle chequered racing flag pattern around the chronograph totalizers. Depending on the incidence of light, the laser-engraved squares alternate between a lighter and darker shade, giving the dial visual depth and a textured appearance. Powering the chronograph is the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre movement, which is visible through the smoked glass case back. The timepiece is fitted on a silver and black 1-piece textile strap, which picks up the color scheme of the IWC Racing Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.

One of the most detailed 1:64th Hot Wheels model ever created

The set also includes the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Racing Works Edition”. This exclusive Hot Wheels model was created by the Hot Wheels
design team, sculpted, and detailed by Manson Cheung with graphics by Steve Vandervate and IWC designer Nicholas Schmidt. It’s one of the most detailed
1:64th Hot Wheels model ever created. Only 50 models have been manufactured exclusively in Hot Wheels’ prototyping workshop. This version
features opening gullwing doors, a faithfully reproduced interior complete with bucket seats, roll cage and red sill trims, full external detailing including clear headlights with the MB Star braces and racing graphics. As this set will be a limited run of only 50 pieces, the car will take its place as one of the rarest official Hot Wheels models ever released.

 

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “IWC x Hot Wheels™ Racing Works” and the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL “Racing Works Edition” both bear the number 68 – a subtle nod to 1868 and 1968 respectively when IWC and Hot Wheels were founded. In addition, bespoke packaging makes the set even more exclusive: The chronograph and the model car are presented in a metal toolbox in silver and black. The case also contains the instruction manual for the watch, a booklet about the project and a limitation plate with the individual corresponding set number.

To unveil the set, IWC’s CEO, Christoph Grainger-Herr, connected virtually with Chris Down, Chief Design Officer at Mattel. They discussed the shared values that unite both brands and the motivation for their collaboration. In addition, as a special invitee to the webcast, Scottish racing driver and former Formula One legend David Coulthard shared his feedback and real-life experience at the helm of the 300 SL. Coulthard took first place for the IWC Racing Team at the Tony Gaze Trophy at the 77th Goodwood Members’ Meeting in 2019.