This Blockbuster Chronograph Quietly Nails a Divisive Design Choice

Few films in recent memory have launched with as much Hollywood horsepower as F1 The Movie. Backed by Apple Original Films with a reported budget of $250 million, the project unites blockbuster talent across the board. Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski leads the charge, with Jerry Bruckheimer producing and Brad Pitt starring—and co-producing—alongside a supporting cast that includes Javier Bardem.

But beyond the star power and cinematic spectacle, what sets this film apart is the sheer volume of brand partnerships riding shotgun. Chief among them is IWC Schaffhausen, which used the film as a launchpad for a curated lineup of racing-inspired watches tied to the fictional APXGP race team the story revolves around.

Some pieces in the collection break technical ground for IWC, but the most compelling isn’t the most complex or expensive. It’s the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 APXGP—a piece that quietly masters one of the most debated design choices in watchmaking.

Conflict Over Contrast

IWC

Two-tone watches are formally defined as timepieces with designs dominated by two types of metal. However, functionally, the term can also apply to watches that lean simply into two contrasting metallic shades.

It’s one of the most controversial design choices routinely debated and defended in various watch circles. Some view most two-toned examples as either too gaudy or awkwardly retro, while others argue the design muddles the line between sporty and formal.

Still, many also find the contrast elegant and distinctive, especially when executed tastefully. The challenge lies in getting the proportions, materials, and tone just right.

IWC nailed this balance with its new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 APXGP. It also matches the fictional F1 team’s livery perfectly, naturally.

Its stainless steel case and the deep blacks of the strap and dial dominate visually. At the same time, golden minute markers and gold-plated hands add an appealing layer of warmth and luxury to the otherwise very sporty piece.

Fun or Frustrating?

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If there’s an aesthetic catch to this piece, it’s the fictional team branding that appears prominently on the laser-engraved smoked sapphire case back and rubber strap.

The details are a clever nod to the film’s cinematic universe. Still, they may be a turn-off for those uninterested in the Hollywood connection.

Thankfully, the strap can be easily replaced thanks to IWC’s EasX-CHANGE, tool-less quick strap system. The case back isn’t exactly visible to anyone who looks at the watch either.

Pricing and Availability

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Beyond the perfectly executed color scheme and fictional team branding, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 APXGP is functionally identical to others in the core Pilot’s Chronograph collection. 

The heart of the timepiece is IWC’s 69385 movement, which has a 46-hour power reserve. It offers traditional chrono features, with subdials at 6, 9, and 12. A day-date function fills the open space at 3 o’clock.

While a 43mm option is available, at 41mm, the case hits a better sweet spot—substantial enough for presence yet wearable across a wide range of wrist sizes.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 APXGP is priced at $7,200USD and is available through IWC boutiques, select retailers, and the brand’s official website.

As a special edition tied to a major motion picture, availability may be limited, making it potentially even more appealing to collectors who appreciate novelty and when storytelling and design intersect.

IWC

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 APXGP

Beyond the perfectly executed color scheme and fictional team branding, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 APXGP is functionally identical to others in the core Pilot’s Chronograph collection. The heart of the timepiece is IWC’s 69385 movement, which has a 46-hour power reserve. It offers traditional chrono features, with subdials at 6, 9, and 12. A day-date function fills the open space at 3 o’clock. While a 43mm option is available, at 41mm, the case hits a better sweet spot — substantial enough for presence yet wearable across a wide range of wrist sizes.

• $7,200 at IWC

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