Post $169,000 Collab, Lewis Hamilton’s 1 Quality Leaves Luxury Designer Awestruck

Hey, watch enthusiasts! If you thought Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton was just about burning rubber and chasing podiums, think again. The superstar racer has now proven he can be just as fast and furious in the world of horology. For a modest $169,000, you can now own a piece of the champ’s style.

This isn’t just any watch, folks. This is the Portugieser Tourbillon Retrograde Chronograph Lewis Hamilton edition, brought to you by the wizards at IWC Schaffhausen. And guess what? It’s their third time teaming up with Hamilton since 2014. They certainly seem to have a “time” less relationship!

But let’s drift from the specs for a moment. The real highlight? IWC’s star designer, Maria Luisa Mamusa. Having sat down with Hamilton, she’s been left in awe, not by his driving or his fashion sense, but by his infectious zest for the creative process. “I have had the privilege of meeting Lewis Hamilton for a design session with him and I will never forget his curiosity, collaboration, and sheer enjoyment at taking part in the creative process. I have been surprised by his kindness and laid-back peacefulness, truly incredible for someone living such a competitive and accelerated life,” Maria says.

Hold on to your helmets, F1 fans! And football aficionados, you might want to keep your boots laced up tight for the news ahead. Now it’s not “new” news, but it’s got the LH44 touch to it. This IWC collaboration isn’t the only time the Mercedes champion has hit it off with style.

First off, Hamilton made a sizzling appearance at the Dutch GP press day, decked out head to toe in an all-black ensemble featuring a No. 85 ‘Tommy’ jersey, baggy sweatpants, and bold black boots, the F1 superstar set Twitter ablaze. Captioning his style moment with, “Tommy down to the socks @TommyHilfiger“, Hamilton left the fans speechless.

Yet Hamilton wasn’t done dropping surprises. In a fashionable twist, he teamed up with Paris Saint-Germain’s star forward, Kylian Mbappé, for Rimowa’s ‘Never Still’ campaign. If you haven’t caught a glimpse of this ad series yet, it celebrates the globe-trotting lifestyles of elite athletes and celebs, with Rimowa offering up swanky luggage for those who wander in style.

Read More: How Did Nico Rosberg Manage to Beat Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher?

So happy traveling (and watching) to you. But before you go, did you hear about this one thing IWC does that would resonate with every Lewis Hamilton fan?

When IWC sponsored Lewis Hamilton’s unfulfilled dream

Alright, all you speed junkies and adrenaline chasers, here’s a fun nugget for you. Did you know that Lewis Hamilton, the Formula 1 superstar, shares an unexpected connection with the TOP GUN watches by IWC? And no, we’re not just talking about speed!

Before we dive into that Hamilton tidbit, let’s speed through a bit of aviation trivia. The TOP GUN watches, crafted by IWC since 2007, are named after the famed Navy Fighter Weapons School (a.k.a. TOPGUN). Here, the US Navy molds the crème de la crème of pilots, transforming them into Strike Fighter Tactics Instructors (SFTI). Think “best of the best”, with flight goggles and all!

Now, here’s where it gets really cool. In 2018, IWC teamed up with real-deal SFTI instructors stationed at California’s Naval Air Station Lemoore. The result? The jaw-droppingly sleek Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor”. And, for a touch of exclusivity, only Navy Fighter Weapons School graduates can rock this particular piece. Talk about elite club benefits!

Now, circling back to our main man, Lewis. While he’s no TOPGUN graduate (though we wouldn’t put it past him!), Hamilton’s association with IWC Schaffhausen and his cameo that could’ve been with the franchise clearly speaks of the TOPGUN spirit. When he’s speeding on the tracks, he’s got more in common with those airborne elites than you’d think. Two worlds, one need for speed!

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So whether you’re more into roaring engines or soaring skies, there’s no denying the magnetism of a match made in high-adrenaline heaven. Lewis Hamilton and TOP GUN watches? Talk about a winning combo!