Since the 1980s, IWC Schaffhausen has developed extensive expertise in the manufacture of advanced materials, with a particular focus on ceramics. In a remarkable collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR), the first watch cases made of ceramic composite material (CMC) were created. This partnership, which was launched in 2013, finally led to the manufacture’s first model equipped with this innovative material around ten years later. During a visit to the DLR site in Stuttgart, Chapter was able to gain exclusive insights into this outstanding engineering collaboration between a luxury watch manufacturer and a renowned research institute.
As one of the leading Swiss watch brands, IWC Schaffhausen is known for its unique engineering approach that combines craftsmanship and creativity with state-of-the-art technologies and processes. The manufacture was a pioneer in the processing of titanium and ceramic and today specializes in advanced case materials.
So where do you start if you want to take striking aesthetics, traditional craftsmanship and precise technology to the next level in the luxury watch segment? The key words are technical cooperation and technology transfer. The appeal of experimentation and the desire to get involved in innovative processes and participate in progressive developments come into play as an initial spark. »By combining the expertise in our respective fields, we have succeeded in pushing the boundaries of what was previously considered feasible for such small CMC components«, says Dr. Lorenz Brunner, Department Manager Research & Innovation. According to him, the unique combination of lightness and strength makes CMC an attractive material for watch cases.
Bernhard Heidenreich, research associate at DLR, explains that the technical cooperation with IWC has enabled them to demonstrate the feasibility of precise components made of fiber-reinforced ceramics. The findings from the development of the watch cases have also helped to further develop their technologies for satellite propulsion systems. The synthesis of pioneering spirit and curiosity therefore not only leads to the creation of a product, but above all documents and illustrates an innovative achievement whose development often takes place behind thick laboratory walls.
While the DLR already successfully manufactures larger components for rockets and thermal protection systems from this material, the material used not only gives the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch outstanding resistance to scratches and temperature fluctuations, but also ensures a low weight that significantly increases wearing comfort. As the structure of the case is determined by the fibers used and becomes fully visible after finishing with diamond tools, each model has an individual matt black look that makes it truly unique. In September 2023, the Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 (Ref. IW506201) was the first IWC watch to be presented with a case made from fiber-reinforced ceramic (CMC). The striking aesthetics are inspired by the timeless design of the Mercedes AMG G-Class, which is characterized by clear, striking lines and a robust construction.
In view of the rapid pace of technological progress, the collaboration between IWC and the DLR is above all a joint effort by two partners, both pioneers in their respective fields, to merge existing technological potential and make the resulting knowledge tangible. The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch, which elevates innovation to a status symbol, not only tells the time, but also the date of the latest technical achievements. [DM]
