George Russell (right) of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team comforts an emotional Kimi Antonelli after Antonelli won the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, his first career Formula 1 victory, at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China, on March 15, 2026. Antonelli and Russel wear the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN Oceana (Ref. IW389404) and Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 George Russell (Ref. IW328107), respectively. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)
At the Watches and Wonders exhibition in Geneva, IWC Schaffhausen introduced its first 41-millimeter Pilot’s Chronographs in ceramic. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN “Oceana” features a case made of blue ceramic, developed in collaboration with Pantone and inspired by the color of the US Navy’s working overalls. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN is IWC’s first 41-millimeter Pilot’s Chronograph with a “Jet Black” black zirconium oxide ceramic case. Both timepieces are powered by the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre, an extremely robust and reliable mechanical chronograph movement.
With “The Colors of TOP GUN,” IWC introduced a collection of Pilot’s Watches in colored ceramic in 2022. It consisted of chronographs in striking new shades, such as IWC Lake Tahoe white and IWC Woodland green, developed in collaboration with Pantone. The Swiss luxury watch manufacturer now adds two chronographs in a compact and easy-to-wear case diameter of 41 millimeters to the line-up. This marks the first time IWC offers the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 in a case made of ceramic—an extremely hard and scratch-resistant performance material.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN “Oceana” (Ref. 389404) features a case made of blue ceramic. The ceramic color “Oceana” was created with Pantone, an IWC partner and a global authority on color. The color takes inspiration from the US Navy’s blue overalls, a work uniform worn by their pilots when carrying out arduous tasks aboard aircraft carriers. In addition, the chronograph features a blue dial and a matching blue rubber strap with a denim finish textile inlay. Luminescence on the black hands and on the dial ensures excellent readability, even at night. The pushers and the case back are made of lightweight titanium.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN (Ref. 389401) is IWC’s first 41-millimeter Pilot’s Chronograph in black ceramic. Its “Jet Black” ceramic, inspired by the technical components of supersonic jets, has been the signature material of IWC TOP GUN since the line was established in 2007. A black dial and a black rubber strap complement the pitch-black ceramic case. Here, too, contrasting luminescent elements on the black hands and the dial enhance readability, even in the most challenging conditions. The titanium pushers and case back complement the sporty design. The integrated IWC EasX-CHANGE®system makes it possible to change the strap quickly and easily without needing additional tools.
Both chronographs are powered by the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre. This calibre family has been engineered with a strict focus on robustness, reliability, and durability. The stopped minutes are placed directly at 12 o’clock to enhance readability. The vertical dial layout is the result of IWC’s functional design approach, and has become a distinguishing feature of the company’s chronographs. Both new models also feature a soft-iron inner case to protect their movements from the effects of magnetic fields. The front glasses are specially secured to withstand sudden drops in air pressure in the cockpit. Moreover, both timepieces are water resistant to 10 bar.
IWC Schaffhausen is a pioneer in the use of ceramic for watch cases. In 1986, the company introduced the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph (Ref. 3755), the world’s first wristwatch with a case made of black zirconium oxide ceramic. IWC was also one of the first watch brands to push forward the development of different ceramic colors, such as white, blue, or green. Producing a watch case in colored ceramic is a feat of engineering. Zirconium oxide is combined with other metallic oxides to give the ceramic its color. As a result, each color requires different raw materials and a distinct mixing ratio. The manufacturing process and its specific parameters—such as the temperature and the exact duration of the sintering process—must be adapted to each particular ceramic color. What is more, colored ceramics also place incredibly high demands on the purity of their raw materials.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN “Oceana” is available through selected IWC boutiques. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 TOP GUN is available through IWC boutiques, authorized retail partners, or online at IWC.com. In addition, the timepieces are eligible for registration under the My IWC care program, benefitting from a six-year extension to the standard two-year International Limited Warranty.
IWC Schaffhausen has also collaborated with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team driver George Russell on the design of two limited edition Pilot’s Watches. Comprising a chronograph and an automatic model, these editions are both crafted in black zirconium oxide ceramic. They feature black dials with printing and luminescence in a striking blue colour, reflecting the signature blue hue also seen on Russell’s helmet. The watches are equipped with titanium case backs and engraved with the driver’s starting number, “63.” The chronograph is powered by the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre, while the automatic model features the IWC-manufactured 32112 calibre. Both watches come with durable blue rubber straps fitted with the EasX-CHANGE system.
The watch brand has also collaborated with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team driver George Russell on the design of two limited edition Pilot’s Watches
In 2019, George Russell debuted in Formula One. After joining the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team in 2022, the Briton instantly claimed pole at the Hungarian Grand Prix and seven podiums within his first 20 races. Russell has since secured five Grand Prix victories for the team, with his latest win at the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix. The acclaimed racing driver has now collaborated with IWC’s creative team to design two limited-edition Pilot’s Watches, bringing his creative vision to the brand.
Throughout his whole career, the color blue has had a significant meaning for Russell. After initially racing for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team with a black helmet, he soon reverted to the blue-dominant design that has long served as the foundation of his racing brand. Standing apart on the Formula 1 grid, the color blue is uniquely associated with Russell and emblematic of the duality he brings as a driver: calm under pressure, yet fiercely competitive. This unique shade, which is also present in Russell’s current helmet design, is at the core of these special editions: both feature dial details and rubber straps in Russell’s signature blue colour.
“It has been an unforgettable experience working with IWC Schaffhausen’s creative team on the design of my first ever limited-edition watches,” says Russell. “By incorporating my signature blue color that has accompanied me during most of my career as a racing driver, as well as my 63 Logo, these watches feel truly personal and unique to me.”
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 George Russell (Ref. IW389411) combines materials that are emblematic of the comprehensive expertise IWC has acquired since the 1980s. Its 41.9-millimeter case is crafted from black zirconium oxide ceramic, a material IWC pioneered four decades ago. Ceramic is lighter than steel and highly scratch-resistant, making it an attractive choice for watches. The crown and the pushers are made of Ceratanium, an IWC-developed material that combines the lightness of titanium with a hardness and scratch-resistance similar to that of ceramic. The black dial features indices and numerals printed in George Russell’s signature blue shade. The black hands are filled with Super-LumiNova in the same color. The chronograph is powered by the IWC-manufactured 69380 calibre with a power reserve of 46 hours.
The Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 George Russell (Ref. IW328107) is housed in a 41-millimeter case made from black zirconium oxide ceramic, with its crown made from Ceratanium. Similar to the chronograph, the model displays indices, numerals and Super-LumiNova in the signature blue shade associated with George Russell. It is powered by the IWC-manufactured 32112 calibre, which includes a double-pawl winding system that provides a power reserve of 120 hours.
Both watches feature titanium case backs with distinct engravings of the number 63, the starting number the driver has raced with since he was a child winning karting championships all the way through to Formula One. The chronograph and automatic models are fitted with blue rubber straps in the same signature blue hue found on the dial, complete with Ceratanium® pin buckles. Thanks to the integrated EasX-CHANGE system, these straps can be exchanged quickly and easily without any tools.
