IWC x Hot Wheels. Yes You Read That Correctly.
Today, IWC has announced a limited edition collaboration with… Mattel? Yes. That Mattel. IWC will release a limited edition Titanium watch and metal packaging that includes a 1:64 scale Mercedes “Gullwing” - apparently the IWC racing car of choice. While, I suppose this collab makes sense, it has me begging for an answer to the question “who asked for this?” And then the follow up - “I kinda want to be friends with them.”
THE BASICS:
Brand: IWC
Model: IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works (ref. IW377904)
Case Material: Grade 5 Titanium
Case Size: 43mm
Water Resistance: Unspecified but likely 100m
Crystal: Sapphire Crystal
Movement: 69385 Calibre
Movement Specs: Automatic, 46-Hour Power Reserve, 33 Jewels, 4-AHS
Strap Options: Black and Grey textile NATO
THE JUICE:
IWC is releasing the Racing Works Chronograph in conjunction with the 76th Goodwood Members Meeting - a Weekend celebrating motorsports. And I guess… what better way to do that than a collaboration with Hot Wheels
“IWC Schaffhausen and Hot Wheels have become industry leaders through generations of craftsmanship and design to create a premium product for our fans,” said Richard Dickson, President and COO of Mattel. “This partnership celebrates the merging of these two beloved brands by highlighting the detail and performance of both Swiss luxury and American automotive excellence, all in the palm of your hand.”
And I suppose to that end, the collaboration makes sense. Goodwood has historically had a unique mix of childlike wonder, and I myself have fond memories of racing my blue Ferrari Hot Wheels car on the little Orange tracks (though I haven’t seen any huge loops this year at Goodwood…).
The watch is essentially the “AMG” Big Pilot with some added branding. The Hot Wheels logo is engraved into the side of the case, and the caseback features the race cars “68” number. A pretty subtle checkered flag pattern covers the dial.
The watch comes on a casual textile striped strap that seems destined for the track.
Overall, this is a unique release that I imagine will do well. The packaging is also a really cool addition. Essentially it’s a metal toolbox that houses both the watch and the car model. It’s a bi-fold and opens up like it belongs on a workbench on the pits.
The watch and car will be limited to 50 models, with the first being auctioned online to benefit the Two Bit Circus foundation. This isn’t the first ultra limited collaboration we’ve seen, as the Inspiration 4 Shuttle followed a similar model. We’ll update the article when the non-auction price becomes available.