IWC marks Mercedes-Benz’s 140th anniversary with a limited-edition Big Pilot’s Watch featuring the brand’s new Perpetual Calendar ProSet mechanism, an entirely gear-driven system designed to simplify the adjustment of the perpetual calendar introduced earlier this year on the occasion of Watches and Wonders Geneva.
Limited to 140 pieces, the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz (ref. IW329603) combines a 42 mm stainless steel case, measuring 14 mm in thickness, with a black dial featuring solid gold appliqués, gold-plated hands, and a white minute track.
The convex sapphire crystal is treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides, while a screw-in crown and 10-bar water resistance complete the case construction.
The perpetual calendar indications are arranged across four sub-dials, with the date at 3 o’clock, the month at 6 o’clock, the day of the week at 9 o’clock and the moon phase at 12 o’clock.
A four-digit year display is positioned between 7 and 8 o’clock.
The moon-phase mechanism is based on a newly calculated reduction gear that requires only a one-day correction after 1,040 years, while IWC’s Double Moon display shows the correct lunar phase for both the northern and southern hemispheres.
The main technical distinction of the ProSet system lies in the way the calendar is adjusted. Developed as a gear-based mechanism protected by four patents, it allows the indications to be moved both forward and backward through a single crown position.
Unlike conventional perpetual calendars, no additional correctors or separate crown positions are required for calendar adjustment, making the operation similar to setting the time.
Behind this simplified operation is a complex construction involving components with intricate geometries. IWC manufactures these elements using LIGA, a microstructuring process based on lithography and electroforming.
The Perpetual Calendar ProSet therefore represents not a new calendar display, but a different approach to interacting with the complication.
The system is driven by the IWC-manufactured calibre 82665, an automatic movement operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz) and containing 34 jewels.
Its bidirectional Pellaton winding system uses ceramic components, while a nickel-phosphorus escapement and silicon hairspring form part of the regulating system. The movement provides a power reserve of 60 hours and features small hacking seconds.
The sapphire-glass case back provides a view of the movement and carries a historic Mercedes-Benz emblem.
The logo, introduced in 1926 following the merger of Daimler Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie., combined the laurel wreath associated with Benz with Daimler’s three-pointed star, linking the watch to the history of the two companies that came together to form Mercedes-Benz.
The watch is fitted with a black rubber strap incorporating IWC’s EasX-CHANGE system, allowing the strap to be exchanged without tools.
The combination of the Big Pilot’s Watch case, perpetual calendar and new adjustment mechanism places the model within IWC’s long-running collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, which began with Mercedes-AMG in 2004 and later extended to the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team and other special editions.
The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz, reference IW329603, is priced at €41,300. iwc.com
