Swiss luxury watch brand IWC are celebrating their long awaited return to Goodwood this year through their IWC Racing team. To mark the occasion on the 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting, they collaborated with Hot Wheels to make something rather special.
It’s called the IWC x Hot Wheels ‘Racing Works’ Collector’s Set and is limited to 50 pieces. Containing a unique IWC Pilot Chronograph and a Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Racing Works’ edition which are delivered in a metal toolbox.
The first example of this collaboration between IWC and Hot Wheels will be auctioned by international auction house, Bonhams. Proceeds from the sale will be donated to the Two Bit Circus Foundation which inspires entrepreneurship, encourages inventors and teaches environmental safeguarding to children.
A partnership between the two brands may seem unlikely to some but to others it was inevitable thanks to the parallels in their history. Both brands are legends in their respective fields, pushing the boundaries of performance and design. The two brands also share a certain American entrepreneurial spirit that spurred on their founders.
Though the two companies were founded 100 years apart, both have strong links to the automotive world. Hot Wheels has created more than 20,000 designs and sold more than 8 billion cars worldwide since their inception in 1968. On the other hand, IWC has a historic relationship with Mercedes-Benz, AMG and the Mercedes F1 Team among others.
As such, IWC founded their own classic racing team in 2018 which is represented by a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing under the IWC Racing name.
This isn’t the first time the two brands have come together with Hot Wheels releasing a premium IWC Racing Team Transport set in 2020 followed by an exclusive IWC Racing Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’ model earlier this year. Their latest collaboration comes in the form of the Pilot Chronograph watch and a premium Hot Wheels model.
IWC Racing was last seen at Goodwood over 20 months ago with David Coulthard piloting the 300SL while the car will be driven by Laura Kraihamer this time. Laura will compete in the Sir Stirling Moss trophy behind the wheel of the 300SL ‘Gullwing’.
The watch is made from titanium and was co-developed by the teams at IWC & Hot Wheels. Its casing features an engraving of the iconic Hot Wheels flame and the dial is decorated with a checkered flag motif. The silver and black colours of the watch strap represent the livery of the IWC Racing Mercedes-Benz 300SL as well.
The two brands also worked together on the incredible details of the Hot Wheels 300SL. Featuring opening gullwing doors, a roll cage, bucket seats and red trim, this is one of the most exclusive Hot Wheels cars ever released. The number 68 painted on the side of the car is significant to both Hot Wheels and IWC which were founded in 1968 and 1868 respectively.
