Wednesday, June 29, 2016

IWC Honors Racing Legend Rudolf Caracciola

Vintage racers line up at the Rallye Passione Caracciola.

To mark the start of the Rallye Passione Caracciola, IWC Schaffhausen is proud to present two special editions from the Ingenieur watch family. The Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola” is dedicated to an exceptionally talented racing driver of the 1930s, while the Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125” recalls the legendary Silver Arrow from Mercedes-Benz. Both models are limited to 750 examples worldwide and powered by the new IWC-manufactured 69370 caliber.

With their enormous power and roaring engines, the sports and racing cars of yesteryear still exert an irresistible fascination on a wide body of enthusiasts. At the same time, these classic cars symbolize the timeless elegance of high-quality mechanical watches. This is one of the reasons IWC Schaffhausen has such a strong commitment to historic motorsport.

IWC CEO Georges Kern

“The Rallye Passione Caracciola preserves the memory of one of the greatest racing drivers of all time and brings together a unique collection of lovingly maintained vintage cars and their owners. As partners, we’re proud and honored to support this exclusive event for the second time,” explains Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen.

Following an advance announcement at the Goodwood Members’ Meeting in England and to mark the start of the Rallye Passione Caracciola, IWC unveiled two special limited editions, both inspired by historic motorsport, from the Ingenieur watch family. One of the more conspicuous features is the simplicity of the case. It differs from the technically inspired design by Gérald Genta previously used for this watch family and gives these particular models an unexpected elegance. Technically speaking, the new IWC-manufactured 69370 caliber found in both timepieces is a first. The chronograph movement serves as a further example of IWC’s expertise as a manufacturer of its own movements, and, thanks to Swiss precision and engineering, sets new benchmarks in terms of quality and reliability.

On the road from Regensdorf to Ruettlihubelbad.

The Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola” (Ref. IW380702) honors the memory of legendary racing driver Rudolf Caracciola. Back in the 1930s, the Mercedes star driver won three European Championship titles and took the checkered flag in 144 of the 204 races he finished. In an allusion to his driving skills on wet tracks, the champion was often called the “King of the Rain.” Limited to just 750 examples, the chronograph is housed in a stainless steel case. The slate-colored dial and embossed tachymeter scale, together with the rhodium-plated hands and appliqués, give the watch a technical, but distinctly elegant appeal. The timepiece is held to the wearer’s wrist by a brown calfskin strap, the embossing of which is reminiscent of the seats in racing cars of days gone by.

The Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125” (Ref. IW380701) is a tribute to the Silver Arrow W 125 from Mercedes-Benz. Seventy-eight years ago, at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz W 125 with a V12 engine, Rudolf Caracciola recorded 432.7 kilometres per hour on the Frankfurt–Darmstadt autobahn – to this day the highest speed ever driven on a public road. Limited to 750 watches, the chronograph is housed in a rugged titanium case. The silver-plated dial contrasts starkly with the black hands and appliqués. The two totalizers, the small seconds and the tachymeter scale imitate the instrument look found in the cockpit of a W 125. The watch features a luxurious strap made of black calfskin.

Christian Knoop, IWC Creative Director. 

Gala Dinner
Together with all the drivers and many guests of honor, IWC celebrated the start of the Rallye Passione Caracciola with an exclusive Welcome Dinner at Zurich’s Dolder Grand hotel. Also present was former German racing driver and Le Mans winner Jochen Maas, who accompanied the first stage of the rally. The Rallye Passione Caracciola is designed as a regularity rally and is taking place for the second time this year. Classic cars of all brands built up to 1980 are eligible for entry. In all, the route takes drivers through four stages, from Regensdorf via Berne, Interlaken, Andermatt and Ambrì to Lugano, where the presentation ceremony will be held. Highlights of the event are a visit to the Bremgarten circuit, where the Swiss Grand Prix was held in the 1930s, as well as a track day featuring performance cars from Mercedes-AMG on the airstrip at Ambrì-Piotta.

Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola”

Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola”
Technical Specifications

Limited Edition
750 pieces

Features
Automatic pawl winding
Date display
Stopwatch function with hours, minutes and seconds
Small hacking seconds
Screw-in crown

Movement
IWC-manufactured caliber 69370
Mechanical chronograph
Automatic winding
46-hour power reserve

Case
Stainless steel
42mm diameter
15mm height
Slate-colored dial
Brown calfskin strap
60-meter water resistance

Reference
IW380702

Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125”
Technical Specifications

Limited Edition
750 pieces

Features
Automatic pawl winding
Date display
Stopwatch function with hours, minutes and seconds
Small hacking seconds
Screw-in crown

Movement
IWC-manufactured caliber 69370
Mechanical chronograph
Automatic winding
46-hour power reserve

Case
Titanium
42mm diameter
15mm height
Slate-colored dial
Black calfskin strap
60-meter water resistance

Reference
IW380701


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