On the occasion of the 78th Goodwood Members’ Meeting on October 17, IWC Schaffhausen and Hot Wheels celebrated the final day of motorsport action at the track in 2021 with the unveiling of the IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works collector’s set.
Limited to 50 pieces, the set contains the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works and the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Racing Works Edition, presented in a metal toolbox.
The first set will be auctioned for charity by international auction house Bonhams with the proceeds going to the Two Bit Circus Foundation: a non-profit organisation creates learning experiences for children to inspire entrepreneurship, encourage young inventors and instil environmental stewardship. Enthusiasts can place their bids online until October 22 at www.bonhams.com/auction/27446
Chris Down, chief design officer at Mattel, said: “IWC Schaffhausen and Hot Wheels share a rich and timeless history, each creating iconic products through an unrivalled emphasis on attention to detail and craftsmanship on the smallest scale. This partnership is a reflection of the creativity and collaborative spirit our teams share, and the result is an exceptional package that truly discerning enthusiasts of luxury timepieces, racing and car culture will appreciate.â€
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works features a 43-millimetre case made of grade 5 titanium. This metal was chosen as an ‘engineering material’ favoured by the Hot Wheels and IWC design teams. It is lighter and harder than steel, highly resistant to corrosion, and often used in automotive engineering. The dark grey matte colour results from an elaborate surface treatment in which the case components are first polished and then blasted. The case features an engraving of the Hot Wheels flame logo on its side at 9 o’clock. The black dial is decorated with a subtle chequered racing flag pattern around the chronograph totalizers. Depending on the incidence of light, the laser-engraved squares alternate between a lighter and darker shade, giving the dial visual depth and a textured appearance. Powering the chronograph is the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre movement, which is visible through the smoked glass case back. The timepiece is fitted on a silver and black 1-piece textile strap, which picks up the colour scheme of the IWC Racing Mercedes-Benz 300 SL.
The Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Racing Works Edition is an exclusive Hot Wheels model created by the Hot Wheels design team, sculpted, and detailed by Manson Cheung with graphics by Steve Vandervate and IWC designer Nicholas Schmidt. It’s one of the most detailed 1:64th Hot Wheels model ever created. Only 50 models have been manufactured exclusively in Hot Wheels’ prototyping workshop. This version features opening gullwing doors, a faithfully reproduced interior complete with bucket seats, roll cage and red sill trims, and full external detailing including clear headlights with the MB Star braces and racing graphics. As this set will be a limited run of only 50 pieces, the car will take its place as one of the rarest official Hot Wheels models ever released.
The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition IWC x Hot Wheels Racing Works and the Hot Wheels Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Racing Works Edition both bear the number 68 – a subtle nod to 1868 and 1968 respectively when IWC and Hot Wheels were founded.
In addition, bespoke packaging makes the set even more exclusive. The chronograph and the model car are presented in a metal toolbox in silver and black. The case also contains the instruction manual for the watch, a booklet about the project and a limitation plate with the individual corresponding set number.
