- Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is preparing for his retirement
- The IWC launched this limited-edition Portugieser tourbillon retrograde chronograph
- It is retailing at $164,834 and there are only 44 pieces
Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is preparing for his retirement with a $164,834 (£135,000) IWC Schaffhausen race-designed watch.
He recently signed a new two-year contract with the team but he is also expanding his retirement horizon for a soft landing when he calls in time from F1.
The IWC launched this limited-edition Portugieser tourbillon retrograde chronograph, celebrating Hamilton as a legendary driver in Formula One.
There are just 44 watches—reflecting the veteran’s F1 number—produced hitherto, and each is being offered for a staggering $164,834 on the brand’s website.
Lewis Hamilton IWC watch. Photo/Haute Time
The watch, according to Bloomberg, has a teal cloth strap and 12 diamond hour markers. Further, it has a sapphire crystal back of the 43.5 mm platinum case serving as a viewing window for the 89900-calibre automatic movement and its 18-karat gold oscillating weight.
This IWC Schaffhausen race-designed watch includes three distinct elements. The chronograph function subdial, which rests at 12 o’clock and can be used to time an F1 race.
It is one that has a special selling point for racing enthusiasts. The watch has a flying hacking minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock as well as a retrograde date display.
This kinetic component oscillates to decrease the effect of gravity, allowing the timepiece to keep accurate time.
The titanium Ingenieur Chronograph Edition Lewis Hamilton and the black ceramic Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition is Hamilton’s third special edition IWC design since 2014.
The seven-time F1 World Champion said that it was great having IWC honour his wish of having some diamonds on the watch.
In addition, Hamilton says that timepieces are of monumental importance to him because he spends all his life on the track and every millisecond matters.
Thus, this timepiece gives him a sense of purpose in life and it is a good way to celebrate his wins so far in F1.
“IWC don’t usually put diamonds on their watches, particularly on the men’s watches. So convincing them to do that was really cool. I just thought it (the aquatic colour) was the most vibrant and different. There’s some serious weight to it. Timepieces align really well in my life because I’m literally chasing every millisecond when I’m on track,” Daily Express reports.
Lewis Hamilton IWC watch. Photo/Super watchman
Hamilton’s evident passion for watches and fashion as a whole could potentially lead him to deepen his involvement in the industry once he retires from the racetrack.
He delved into this inclination during an interview with Oracle Time two years ago. He was categorical that staying without a watch made him feel weird because he always felt that he was missing something.
Hamilton even drew an allusion to James Bond’s look with a watch which is what motivates him so much.
“I feel naked without a watch. You look at James Bond, the watch is what sets off his suit, his look. I’ve been wearing them a long time, since I got my first from Argos. I remember saving up and going to Argos in Stevenage and buying this watch just because I wanted to uplift my look,” he adds.
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