By George, he’s done it. There is a particular confidence that comes from knowing exactly what your signature is, and for George Russell, that signature has always been blue, worn on his helmet, carried through his branding, and now translated into two limited Pilot’s Watches with IWC Schaffhausen that feel personal without tipping into gimmickry.
These are not merch pieces or paddock souvenirs, they are familiar IWC silhouettes tightened up with colour, material choices and restraint, which is usually where these driver collaborations either succeed quietly or fail loudly.
IWC has form here, from Top Gun ceramics to the long-running relationship with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team, and that experience shows, because instead of reinventing the Pilot’s Watch, the brand has simply let Russell tune the details, which is often the smarter move when the base watch already has credibility.
Black Ceramic, Blue Intent
Both watches lean heavily on IWC’s black zirconium oxide ceramic, a material the brand has been refining since the 1980s, and one that already feels native to the Pilot’s Watch line thanks to models like the Top Gun Chronograph.
Here it is paired with Russell’s signature blue on the numerals, indices and lume, which gives the dial a calm but purposeful contrast, especially in daylight where the blue reads as considered rather than loud.
The Chronograph 41 is the more assertive of the two, with Ceratanium pushers and crown adding texture without visual clutter, while the Automatic 41 strips things back further, relying on the colour, the ceramic and the familiar pilot layout to do the work. Neither watch feels like it is trying to shout about Formula One, which is refreshing, because the racing connection is present but not performative, more about pace and composure than overt speed references.
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Familiar Movements, Sensible Choices
IWC has sensibly avoided turning this into a technical flex, opting instead for movements that are well proven within the catalogue, which keeps the conversation focused on wearability rather than spec-sheet bravado.
The chronograph runs on the in-house 69380, a robust everyday engine that suits the Pilot’s Watch brief, while the automatic uses the 32112 with its extended power reserve, which in real terms just means fewer mornings resetting the time.
On the wrist, both watches stay true to what makes modern IWC pilots appealing, solid without feeling heavy, sporty without slipping into novelty, and practical enough that you could wear them well beyond race weekend. The blue rubber strap reinforces that point, adding comfort and a subtle visual link to Russell’s helmet without forcing the reference.
A Signature That Makes Sense
What makes this collaboration land is that it feels like an extension of both parties rather than a compromise between them.
Russell’s number 63 is engraved on the titanium caseback, the blue is consistent across dial, lume and strap, and the ceramic keeps everything grounded in IWC’s material language, which is exactly how these partnerships should work.
For collectors already familiar with IWC’s Pilot’s Watches, this feels like a variation worth considering rather than a detour, and for fans of Russell, it is a reminder that good taste is often about editing rather than adding. These watches do not try to tell you who George Russell is, they assume you already know, and simply offer his version of a watch he would actually wear.
Specifications
| Model | Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 George Russell | Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 George Russell |
|---|---|---|
| Reference | IW389411 | IW328107 |
| Case Material | Black zirconium oxide ceramic | Black zirconium oxide ceramic |
| Case Size | 41.9 mm | 41 mm |
| Crown / Pushers | Ceratanium | Ceratanium crown |
| Dial | Black with blue numerals and lume | Black with blue numerals and lume |
| Movement | IWC calibre 69380 | IWC calibre 32112 |
| Power Reserve | Approx. 46 hours | Approx. 120 hours |
| Caseback | Titanium, engraved “63” | Titanium, engraved “63” |
| Strap | Blue rubber with EasX-CHANGE system | Blue rubber with EasX-CHANGE system |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres | 100 metres |
