Home » IWC Watches » IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola” and Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125”
The Schaffhausen-based manufacturer launched two special edition models from the Ingenieur collection in order to honor this year’s Rallye Passione Caracciola. It is a regularity rally for historical cars manufactured until 1980 which is open to all brand and car models. The Passione Caracciola rally is dedicated to the racing driver Rudolf Caracciola and IWC Schaffhausen is the official partner of the event since the last year when the exclusive regularity rally has been held for the first time.
The Swiss watchmaking company is once again signaling its commitment to classic motor racing with two special edition Ingenieur models.
IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola” is dedicated to the German star driver of the 1930s. At the time, the Mercedes driver won three European Championship titles and took the chequered flag in 144 of the 204 races he finished. Caracciola was also known as the “King of the Rain” which was an allusion to his driving skills on wet tracks.
IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola” Watch IW380702
This special edition timepiece exudes with the simplicity and elegance of the case which differs from the technically inspired design by Gérald Genta previously used for this collection. The watch is housed in a sporty, stainless steel case measuring 42mm in diameter and 15mm in thickness. I must notice that the watch looks pretty larger than it actually is due to its wide bezel.
IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola” Watch IW380702
Underneath the front sapphire glass lies the slate-colored dial which is nicely rounded with a tachymeter scale. The dial comprises rhodium-plated hands and appliqués that give the watch a technical, but distinctly elegant look.
IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola” Watch IW380702
The second special edition timepiece named Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125” recalls the legendary Silver Arrow from Mercedes-Benz. Seventy-eight years ago, at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz W 125 with a V12 engine, the legendary German racing driver recorded 432.7 kilometers per hour on the Frankfurt–Darmstadt autobahn. So far it is the highest speed ever driven on a public road.
IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125” Watch IW380701
This model features silver-plated dial contrasting starkly with the black hands and appliqués. Both chronograph sub-dials, the small seconds and the tachymeter scale imitate the instrument look found in the cockpit of a W 125.
IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125” Watch IW380701
The beating heart of both special editions is the in-house manufactured caliber 69730 chronograph movement. The self-winding mechanism oscillates at the rapid frequency of 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz) and it can store enough power to keep the watch ticking for about 42 hours when fully wound. The water resistance of each timepiece is assured down to 60 meters (approximately 200 feet).
IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125” Watch IW380701
The Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “Rudolf Caracciola” features a brown calfskin strap, the embossing of which is the reminiscent of the seats in racing cars of good old days, while the Ingenieur Chronograph Edition “W 125” is held to the wearer’s wrist by a luxurious strap made of black calfskin. Both models are issued in the limited series of 750 pieces each.
