Featured image: Liauzh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
George Russell wears IWC, and his own edition is the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 George Russell (ref. IW389411), a black ceramic chronograph with blue accents and his number 63 engraved on the case back. IWC announced it on 5 February 2026 in an edition of 1,063 pieces.
Quick answer Russell’s signature watch is the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 George Russell (IW389411), priced at CHF 10,500 at launch. IWC has been the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team’s Official Engineering Partner since 2013, and the Russell editions are his first official collaboration with the brand. He has also been shown in a one-off blue-dial IWC Ingenieur and earlier TOP GUN pieces.
George Russell’s IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41
The Chronograph 41 George Russell is the more complex of two limited editions IWC revealed in February 2026. Both use black zirconium oxide ceramic cases, and both carry the blue Russell has used on his helmet since 2019. The colour appears on the dial markers, the lume and the rubber strap.
The case back is titanium and is engraved with his name and his race number, 63, plus the individual edition number. IWC says the watches were developed in close partnership with Russell, who also cited a prototype PETRONAS-green watch worn by team principal Toto Wolff in Las Vegas in 2023 as an inspiration.
| Spec | IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 George Russell (IW389411) |
|---|---|
| Case size | About 41 to 42 mm (reported as 41.9 mm), roughly 15.5 mm thick |
| Case material | Black zirconium oxide ceramic with Ceratanium crown and pushers; titanium case back |
| Movement | IWC-manufactured caliber 69380, automatic, about 46 hours of power reserve |
| Strap | Blue rubber with EasX-CHANGE quick-release system |
| Edition | Limited to 1,063 pieces |
| Approximate price | CHF 10,500 at launch, roughly $10,500 to $13,000 depending on market and tax |
Where to buy
Compare the same watch on both sites: eBay for pre-owned and vintage pieces, Amazon for new stock.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Auto Alternative
Citizen Promaster Sky Eco-Drive Alternative
Prices and availability change; check the listing before you buy.
Water resistance is not stated in the sources we checked, so check IWC’s product page before buying. The 1,063 number is a nod to Russell’s 63, and the edition is the sort of piece that tends to trade above retail soon after release.
How the Russell edition wears and why collectors want it
A 41 to 42 mm ceramic chronograph is a familiar size for IWC’s pilot range, so it should sit comfortably on most wrists. The black ceramic is much harder than steel, so it resists the fine scratches that show on most sports watches. The Ceratanium crown and pushers, IWC’s black titanium alloy, match the case in color while staying light.
The blue accents are the personal touch. Russell has raced with a blue helmet since 2019, and IWC carried that shade onto the numerals, the indices and the strap. For collectors the draw is the combination of a current-production Pilot’s Watch, a driver’s race number and a numbered edition, which is typically how F1 tie-in watches build a following. Russell drives for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS alongside Kimi Antonelli in 2026, so the team connection is still current.
The cheaper sibling: Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41
IWC released a second watch alongside the chronograph, the Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 George Russell (IW328107). It is a three-hander in a 41 mm black ceramic case with the same blue details, and it uses IWC’s manufacture caliber 32112 with a long 120-hour power reserve.
It was priced at CHF 7,800 and is also limited to 1,063 pieces. Like the chronograph, it keeps IWC’s soft-iron inner case for magnetic protection, a classic Pilot’s Watch feature.
Why IWC and Mercedes go together
IWC became the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS team’s Official Engineering Partner in 2013, and 2026 reporting still lists IWC as the team’s watch partner. Russell’s first IWC was a TOP GUN Ceratanium Pilot’s Watch, according to IWC’s own journal.
That link is not unique in the paddock. McLaren and Ferrari both run with Richard Mille, which we cover in Lando Norris’s Richard Mille guide. Red Bull Racing sits with TAG Heuer, as in our Max Verstappen watch article. Aston Martin switched to Breitling for 2026.
Other watches George Russell has been seen wearing
Most of what is published about Russell’s collection is photo-based, so we flag how solid each identification is.
- IWC Ingenieur Automatic 42 (one-off): in April 2025 Russell showed a blue-dial version of IWC’s black ceramic Ingenieur on Instagram. Gear Patrol described it as not on the market, and the standard black-dial model carried the reference IW338903 at around $19,500. A report that it was built with Bamford Watch Department is unconfirmed.
- IWC Pilot Chronograph on a black strap: a Time+Tide watchspotting piece said he “seems to be” wearing one on holiday in Greece. Treat it as a likely identification only.
- IWC TOP GUN Ceratanium: his first IWC, per IWC.
Some lifestyle sites also mention a Portugieser Annual Calendar and a TOP GUN Ceratanium double chronograph. We could not trace those to a primary source, so we do not treat them as confirmed.
How Russell’s watch compares with other IWC fans
Russell is not the first athlete to be tied to IWC’s pilot watches. NFL quarterback Tom Brady has worn a TOP GUN model, covered in our Tom Brady IWC guide, while actor Bradley Cooper’s IWC in the film Aloha is covered in our Aloha watch article.
What sets Russell’s edition apart is the ceramic case, which resists scratches far better than steel, and the use of colour from his helmet design.
Affordable alternatives to George Russell’s IWC
If you like the black pilot look without the IWC price, there are real, current options at far lower prices.
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Pilot Auto
A Swiss-made pilot watch with an automatic movement, usually priced at roughly $900 to $1,300. It keeps the legible dial and big numerals of an IWC-style pilot watch.
Citizen Promaster Sky Eco-Drive
A solar-powered aviation chronograph that costs around $400 to $600. Look for black dial versions to get closer to Russell’s colour scheme.
FAQ
What watch does George Russell wear?
His signature watch is the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 George Russell (IW389411), a black ceramic chronograph with blue details. He has also been shown in a one-off blue-dial IWC Ingenieur and a TOP GUN Ceratanium.
Is George Russell an IWC ambassador?
IWC is Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS’s Official Engineering Partner and has made two limited editions with Russell. IWC’s own page calls it a collaboration but does not use the word ambassador, while Gear Patrol describes him as an ambassador through the team partnership.
How much is George Russell’s IWC?
The Chronograph 41 George Russell launched at CHF 10,500, and the Automatic 41 at CHF 7,800. Both are limited to 1,063 pieces each, so pre-owned prices can differ from retail.
Who is the watch partner of Mercedes in F1?
IWC Schaffhausen, which has been the team’s Official Engineering Partner since 2013. Reporting for the 2026 season still lists it as a Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS partner.
Why is the number 63 on George Russell’s watch?
63 is Russell’s race number. IWC engraved it, along with his name, on the titanium case back of both limited editions, and the 1,063-piece edition size echoes it.
Sources
- IWC Journal: Signature blue meets black ceramic
- Worldtempus: When Formula 1 meets fine watchmaking, IWC’s George Russell editions
- Boss Hunting: George Russell steps up as IWC’s newest F1 collaborator
- Gear Patrol: George Russell’s IWC Ingenieur Instagram tease
- Elite Traveler: What watches are Formula 1 drivers wearing this season