Schaffhausen, 15th November 2020 - IWC Schaffhausen is proud to congratulate its long-standing partner, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula One team and brand ambassadors Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas on their historic title successes this Formula OneTM season.
At Sunday’s FORMULA 1 DHL TURKISH GRAND PRIX 2020, Hamilton secured his seventh FIA Formula One™ Drivers’ World Championship* to become only the second driver in the history of the sport to claim seven driver titles.
Just two weeks earlier, at the FORMULA 1 EMIRATES GRAN PREMIO DELL’EMILIA ROMAGNA 2020, the Mercedes team clinched their seventh FIA Formula One™ Constructors’ World Championship*. By doing so, they became the first team in the history of Formula OneTM racing to score seven straight title doubles: an extraordinary achievement for a team which was only re-established a decade ago as the first Mercedes works squad since 1955.
“It has been incredible to see Mercedes, Lewis and Valtteri triumph and make Formula OneTM history this season. The team met 2020’s challenges head-on and raised the bar to an even higher level. IWC shares the same dedication and passion, and we are all so proud to celebrate this epic success with our long-standing partner.”
Wrapping up both the constructors’ and drivers’ titles with three races still to run, the promptness of the team’s shared triumph is appropriately punctual for their watchmaking partner. In every way, 2020 has been a commanding season for the Brackley-based team. Together, Hamilton and Bottas have already claimed 13 pole positions, eight fastest laps, 12 wins and five onetwos from the opening 14 races. As well as a seventh title, Hamilton has set a new record for career wins (94) during the season to date, took a 73rd victory for Mercedes to set a new record for the most wins for a single constructor, and led his 5,000th career lap. The Briton also now holds the all-time records for most podiums, points, races led and pole positions.
Bottas has been pushing too, delivering yet another impressive season. So far in 2020, he has graced the podium a total of 10 times – twice as a winner, five times in second place, and three times in third place. On top of their historic title, Mercedes has taken pole position in all but one of 2020’s races and celebrated their 501st podium finish as an F1 engine supplier.
IWC has been the ‘Official Engineering Partner’ of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport team since 2013. As “Official Engineering Partner”, IWC has a prominent presence on the gloves, uniforms and car. The focus of the partnership is on technical aspects and the common attributes shared by mechanics, engineering and watchmaking. In 2019, IWC presented the “Lewis Hamilton” Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition (ref. IW503002). The special design, limited to 100 watches, combines a black ceramic case and a Bordeaux-red dial with a crown and a case-back ring made of 18-carat 5N gold. The British racing driver created the distinctive timepiece together with IWC’s designers.
Also in 2019, IWC launched the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport” (ref. IW389005). Limited to 50 watches, this “Team watch” features a black ceramic case and a black carbon fibre dial.
*Subject to the FIA’s official confirmation of the 2020 FIA Formula One World Championship™ results.
In 1868, the American watchmaker and entrepreneur Florentine Ariosto Jones travelled from Boston to Switzerland and founded the ‘International Watch Company’ in Schaffhausen. His visionary dream was to combine advanced American manufacturing methods with the craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers to make the best pocket watches of his time. In doing so, he not only laid the foundation for IWC’s unique engineering approach but also established the centralised production of mechanical watches in Switzerland.
Over its 150 year history, IWC Schaffhausen has developed a reputation for creating functional complications, especially chronographs and calendars, which are ingenious, robust, and easy for customers to use. A pioneer in the use of titanium and ceramics, IWC today specialises in highly engineered technical watch cases manufactured from advanced materials, such as titaniumaluminide and Ceratanium®. Preferring the principle of “form follows function” over decoration, the Swiss watch manufacturer’s timeless creations embody their owners’ dreams and ambitions as they journey through life.
IWC sources materials responsibly and takes action to minimise its impact on the environment, creating intrinsically sustainable timepieces that are built to last for generations. The company prides itself in training its own future watchmakers and engineers, as well as offering an excellent working environment for all employees. IWC also partners with organisations that work globally to support children and young people.
