IWC Schaffhausen congratulates its longstanding partner Mercedes‑Benz on its 140thanniversary, celebrated this year under the theme “140 Years of Innovation”.Sincetheinvention of theautomobilein 1886, Mercedes‑Benz has shaped the historyand futureof mobilitythrough pioneering technology, safety, comfort and design.To mark the occasion, IWC launches a limited-edition Big Pilot’s Watch featuring its newly engineered and highly innovative Perpetual Calendar ProSet. As the first perpetual calendar from IWC that can be adjusted forward and backward via a single crown position, it makes calendar adjustments as easy and intuitive as setting the time itself.On the sapphire-glass case back, the first joint logo of Daimler Motoren‑Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. commemoratesnot only the 140th anniversary of the automobile but also the coming together of the two pioneering companies in 1926.
Dubai, UAE. Since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile 140 years ago and Gottlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage shortly afterwards, Mercedes‑Benz has dedicated itself to constantlyinnovatingandcreatingsome ofthe world’s most desirable cars for its customers. This ambition has driven everybreakthrough– fromtheworld’s firstautomobilein 1886 to today’s intelligent,safe electric vehicles. Based on a shared passion for engineering, performance and design, IWC Schaffhausen in 2004 became a partner of Mercedes‑AMG. Since 2013, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer has also been the “Official Engineering Partner” of the Mercedes‑AMG PETRONAS Formula 1® Team, the official works team of Mercedes‑Benz. The brands have also joined forces on numerous other projects involving, for example, special edition watches inspired by the design codes of the legendary G‑Class.Beyond that, IWC and Mercedes‑Benz have brought this partnership to life through countless memorable experiences for their customers – from visits to Formula 1®and other gripping motorsport races, such as the 24 Hours of Nürburgring endurance race, to exhilarating“Driving Experiences”behind the wheel of Mercedes‑AMG’s most powerful sports cars.
As Mercedes‑Benz celebrates “140 Years of Innovation”with “140 Years. 140 Places.”,three new S‑Classsaloonsaretravellingto 140 selectedlocations worldwide,covering more than 50,000 kilometres across six continents and highlighting the brand’s technology, heritage, pioneering spirit and global presence. Against this backdrop,IWCunveilsalimited-editionBig Pilot’s Watchwith thePerpetual Calendar ProSet. Marking one ofIWC’s most innovativedevelopmentsin perpetual calendars in decades, this highly innovative new mechanism was introduced earlier this year at Watches and Wonders in Geneva.
“For 22 years, we have been part of the Mercedes‑Benz brand universe – and what began as a partnership has grown into a friendship, built on mutual respect and deep admiration for each other’s work. Our collaboration is rooted in shared values: a passion for world-class engineering, uncompromising performance and visionary design. We warmly congratulate Mercedes‑Benz on this company anniversary and look forward to many more years and more exciting projects together.”
Chris Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen
“Since 1886, Mercedes‑Benz has never simply measured time, but defined eras. Together with IWC Schaffhausen, we celebrate a shared belief that true progress is born from craftsmanship, innovation and attention to every detail. The limited-edition Big Pilot’s Watch honours a partnership built on these values and reflects the enduring spirit that drives both our brands forward.”
Mathias Geisen, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. Sales & Customer Experience
TheBig Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes‑Benz (Ref. IW329603) is limited to 140 pieces – with eachone embodying ayear of pioneering innovation in the history of Mercedes‑Benz. Thebrushed and polished42-millimetre stainless steel case frames a black dial withsolid goldappliqués andgold-platedhands. The minute track is printed in white foreasylegibility. On the sapphire case back, a historic logo commemorates this milestone occasion. Introduced in 1926 followingthe mergerof Daimler Motoren‑Gesellschaft (DMG)with Benz & Cie., it was the firstlogo for Mercedes‑Benz, combiningthe laurel wreath, adopted from the Benz emblem, with DMG’s emblematic three-pointed star.
A new level of flexibility and ease of use
IWC’s journeyinto mechanical calendars began in 1985, when thecompany presentedthe perpetual calendar developed by legendary watchmaker Kurt Klaus. With the new Perpetual Calendar ProSet, the brand has now completely reimagined thiscomplication, which remains one of the greatest challenges in watchmaking to this day.The new module is based entirely on gears and protected by four patents. As a result, the calendar can now be adjusted forwardand – for the first time – also backward using a single position of the crown. This new approach makes calendar adjustments in both directions as easy and intuitive as setting the time itself. Unlike most traditional perpetualcalendars, the ProSet requiresno additional pushers, no changes in crown position and no complicated setting menus.Behind this apparent simplicity lies a true engineering feat, which requires components with intricate and highly complex geometries. To manufacture them, IWC uses theLIGA process, an advancedmicrostructuringtechnology based on lithography andelectroforming.
Double moon phase accurate to within one day every 1,040 years
ThePerpetual Calendar ProSet displays its information on four subdials. The date is shown at3 o’clock, the month at 6 o’clock and the day of the week at 9 o’clock. The moon phase is positioned at 12 o’clock. Thanks to a newly calculated reduction gear, the display will deviate by only one day after 1,040 years. IWC’ssignature Double Moon®ensures the moon is shown correctly for viewers in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The four-digit year display – another hallmark of IWC’s perpetual calendars – islocatedbetween 7 and 8 o’clock on the dial.
The Perpetual Calendar ProSetis powered by theIWC-manufactured 82665 calibre,featuringa nickel-phosphorus escapement and a silicon hairspring.Thebidirectional Pellaton automatic windingsystemisreinforced with ceramic componentsand buildsup a power reserve of 60 hours in the mainspring.
This Big Pilot’s Watchisfittedon a black rubber strap. Thanks to the integrated EasX‑CHANGE® system,the strapcan be swapped for anotheroptionwithout any tools.
A collection built on performance and innovation
ThenewBig Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes‑Benz joins acollection that reflects many different facets of Mercedes‑Benz.ThePilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 AMG (Ref. IW388305)embodiesthe shared passion for performance and design that has linked IWC and Mercedes‑AMG since 2004. As “Official Engineering Partner” of the Mercedes‑AMG PETRONAS Formula 1® Team since 2013, IWC has also launched several team watches. The first was the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes‑AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTMTeam” (Ref. IW388108)in 2022, followed in 2023 by the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 Mercedes‑AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTMTeam (Ref. IW388306) in Ceratanium®. The Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Mercedes‑AMG PETRONAS Formula OneTM Team (Ref. IW328210) marked the start of the 2025 season.
With twostrikingspecial editions, IWCcelebrated thesharedutilitarian heritage ofitsBig Pilot’s Watch and theiconicG‑Class“Geländewagen” from Mercedes‑Benz: the Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 in 18-carat Armor Gold® (Ref. IW501201) and the Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 (Ref. IW506201) – IWC’s first watch with a case madeofa ceramic matrix composite (CMC),a material innovationdeveloped in closecollaboration withthe German Aerospace Center (DLR).
IWC Schaffhausen
IWC Schaffhausen is the Engineer of Watchmaking. In 1868, the American watchmaker and engineer Florentine Ariosto Jones established the ‘International Watch Company’ in Schaffhausen in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. By combining the best of human craftsmanship and creativity with cutting-edge industrial technology and processes, he laid the foundation for IWC’s unique engineering approach to watchmaking.
IWC’s distinctive and pure design is brought to life through collections ranging from elegant dress watches to luxury sports and sports watches, notably the Portugieser, Portofino, Ingenieur and Pilot’s Watches. Over its more than 150-year history, IWC has earned a reputation for creating professional instrument watches and functional complications, especially chronographs and calendars, which are ingenious, robust and easy to use.
A pioneer in the use of titanium and ceramic, IWC specialises in performance materials like Ceratanium®. IWC’s advanced engineering division XPL develops technologies that enhance the durability of mechanical watches and extend their applications to environments with extreme conditions such as jet aviation and human spaceflight.
IWC is a leader in luxury watchmaking, crafting timepieces built to last for generations and continuously improving every element of how it manufactures, distributes and services its watches responsibly. Empowering the next generation of engineers, the brand also partners with organisations that work globally to support children and young people. IWC. Engineered®.
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Contact Mercedes-Benz:
Zim Zuriel Ugbana, +971 (0) 56 224 5355, [email protected]
Mercedes-Benz anniversary year “140 Years of Innovation”
Since Carl Benz filed the patent for the first automobile 140 years ago and Gottlieb Daimler built his motorised carriage shortly afterwards, Mercedes‑Benz has dedicated itself to constant innovation and to creating the world’s most desirable cars for customers. This ambition has driven every innovation – from the world’s first automobile in 1886 to the biggest product launch programme in the company’s history that is currently underway. With its passion for performance and pioneering power, excellence and an unwavering commitment to customer service, the brand has consistently shaped the future of mobility. The result goes well beyond engineering achievement – it creates the unmistakable feeling that runs through everything Mercedes‑Benz does: Welcome home.
Mercedes‑Benz is celebrating 140 years of innovation by driving three new S‑Class saloons on a trans-continental journey to 140 locations worldwide. Each place highlights the brand’s technology, heritage, pioneering spirit and worldwide presence. Along the way, customers, fans and colleagues will get to join in the celebrations – on an epic adventure that will run until October. Follow the “140 Years. 140 Places” drive across six continents on our “140 Years of Innovation | Mercedes‑Benz Media” special and via the Mercedes‑Benz Community.
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Mercedes‑Benz AG at a glance
Mercedes‑Benz AG is part of the Mercedes‑Benz Group AG with a total of around 164,000 employees worldwide and is responsible for the global business of Mercedes‑Benz Cars and Mercedes‑Benz Vans. Ola Källenius is Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes‑Benz AG. The company focuses on the development, production and sales of passenger cars, vans and vehicle-related services. Furthermore, the company aspires to be the leader in the fields of electric mobility and vehicle software. The brand portfolio of Mercedes‑Benz Cars includes the Mercedes‑Benz brand, as well as Mercedes‑AMG, Mercedes‑Maybach and the G‑Class product brand. Mercedes‑Benz AG is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of high-end passenger cars. In 2025 it sold more than 2.1 million passenger cars and vans. In its two business segments, Mercedes‑Benz AG is continually expanding its worldwide production network with around 30 production sites on four continents. As sustainability is the guiding principle of the Mercedes‑Benz strategy and for the company itself, this means creating lasting value for all stakeholders: for customers, employees, investors, business partners and society as a whole. The basis for this is the sustainable business strategy of the Mercedes‑Benz Group. The company thus takes responsibility for the economic, ecological and social effects of its business activities and looks at the entire value chain.