Car anniversaries don’t usually come with matching wristwear, but International Watch Company and Mercedes-Benz have made it something of a habit.
International Watch Company is marking Mercedes-Benz’s 140th anniversary with a limited-edition version of its newest Big Pilot’s Watch.
The Schaffhausen, Switzerland-based brand is releasing the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz, built around a 42mm stainless steel case with a black dial, solid gold appliqués, and gold-plated hands.
It’s limited to 140 pieces, one for every year since Carl Benz filed the patent that became the first automobile in 1886.
The caseback carries the historic logo introduced after Daimler Motoren-Gesellschaft and Benz & Cie. merged, tying the watch directly to Mercedes-Benz’s own origin story rather than just slapping a logo on somewhere.
Inside is IWC’s automatic caliber 82665, offering a 60-hour power reserve and a Double Moon phase display accurate for both the northern and southern hemispheres.
The watch comes on a black rubber strap with IWC’s EasX-CHANGE system, letting owners swap straps without tools.
Setting the record straight on ProSet
Whenever a new movement rolls out, it can be hard to keep track of what’s actually new versus what’s just a fresh coat of paint on something that already exists; that’s kinda the case here as well, so here’s a little breakdown.
The Perpetual Calendar ProSet system debuted back in April at Watches and Wonders, first in a ceramic case, then in steel. This Mercedes-Benz edition is the third execution of that same movement, not a mechanical debut.
What ProSet actually does is worth explaining, since it’s genuinely clever: on most perpetual calendars, correcting the date, month, or moon phase means fiddling with tiny recessed pushers, and doing it in the wrong order can damage the movement entirely.
ProSet throws that out. Every function — date, day, month, four-digit year, and the Double Moon display — adjusts forward or backward from the same crown position, with no risk of breaking anything by going the wrong direction. It’s a genuine horological accomplishment, so obviously it comes with a price tag to match.
Where to buy it
The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet 140 Years Mercedes-Benz is available now via IWC’s official website and boutiques. Last time we checked, it was priced at $41,200, VAT included.
Availability is limited to 140 pieces worldwide.
