Some pairings are timeless: bourbon and cigars, leather and denim, or in this case, precision mechanics and silver-screen adrenaline. This summer, IWC melds horology with Hollywood in its latest Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP series—a trio of timepieces crafted as props for an upcoming Formula 1 blockbuster. The collection straddles the line between tool watch grit and red-carpet glam, like a tuxedo worn over racing gloves.
The star of the show is the IW388309, a 41mm stunner cast in IWC’s signature 5N gold. Its matte ceramic bezel acts as a visual anchor, tempering the warmth of the case like charcoal smudged on a gilded frame. The dial? A lacquered abyss punctuated by hand-polished indices that catch light like runway markers. At 14.7mm thick, it’s no featherweight—but then again, neither is a V12 engine.
For those who prefer their luxe with less fanfare, two stainless steel variants stand by:
Both feature sapphire casebacks etched with the fictional APXGP team logo—a wink to the silver-screen synergy.
The heartbeat across all models is IWC’s 69385 calibre, a column-wheel chronograph movement with the reliability of a pit crew. No flyback theatrics here—just precise timekeeping that could plausibly survive a champagne shower (10 bar water resistance helps). The rubber straps, equipped with IWC’s EasX-CHANGE® system, swap faster than a race tire.
This collaboration feels like watching Daniel Craig wear an Omega in
—part product placement, part plausible fiction. The gold variant? A trophy watch for those who fantasize about podium finishes. The steel models? Daily drivers with a cinematic edge. Just remember: APXGP doesn’t exist. But damn if these watches don’t make you wish it did.
