IWC Schaffhausen Wows Goodwood 2025 with Hollywood Collaboration and Watchmaking Heritage
The 82nd Goodwood Members’ Meeting became a thrilling fusion of motorsport, cinema, and luxury horology, thanks to IWC Schaffhausen. The Swiss watchmaker brought the glamour of Hollywood and the legacy of Swiss craftsmanship to West Sussex, making waves with two standout presentations: a cinematic activation of its partnership with Apple Original Films’ upcoming F1 movie and the premiere of a short film chronicling the story of the Ingenieur SL, Reference 1832.
F1 Movie Collaboration Comes to Life
With the highly anticipated racing film F1 releasing globally on 27th June 2025, IWC Schaffhausen gave fans an exciting taste of what’s to come. As an official team sponsor of APXGP, the fictional 11th Formula 1 team in the movie, IWC set up an immersive garage at Goodwood, complete with a real APXGP race car used in filming. The vehicle, built on an F2 platform and outfitted to resemble a contemporary F1 car, was engineered to hold ultra-compact, Hollywood-grade camera systems, offering a behind-the-scenes peek into the film’s technical wizardry.
Actors Damson Idris and Kerry Condon—who play rookie driver Joshua Pearce and APXGP’s race director Kate McKenna respectively—were on-site, sharing exclusive insights from the set. They discussed the two-year production process, which included shooting at real Grand Prix circuits around the world, providing an unprecedented level of authenticity to the film.
Hollywood Stunt Demo Stuns Goodwood Crowd
In a thrilling first for the Members’ Meeting, IWC hosted a live-action stunt demo that showed how high-speed chase scenes are filmed. Stunt driver Eliott Cole piloted a Mercedes-AMG GT in full APXGP livery, with actor Damson Idris riding along. Close behind was a Mercedes GLE 63S equipped with a gyrostabilized camera crane, capturing dynamic angles as the two vehicles tore around the Goodwood Motor Circuit. This Hollywood-style chase was livestreamed globally, using footage from 14 different cameras including drones and onboard views—offering fans a real-time look at movie-grade racing action.
Spotlight on the Ingenieur SL: “The Most Brilliant Failure”
Beyond the adrenaline rush of motorsport, IWC added a layer of reflective storytelling with the premiere of The Most Brilliant Failure, a short film on the Ingenieur SL, Reference 1832. Originally launched in 1976 and designed by the legendary Gérald Genta, this stainless steel timepiece featured an integrated bracelet and a bold, technical aesthetic. Unfortunately, marketed exclusively to engineers, the watch didn’t catch on commercially and only 598 units were produced.
The short film weaves a compelling mix of fact and fiction, telling the story of one green-dial Ingenieur SL that ends up with a racing driver and later, his daughter. This emotional arc highlights how designs ahead of their time can gain reverence decades later. Supported by the Gérald Genta Heritage Association, the film stars Anthony Watterson as Genta and was directed by Rune Milton.
Pop-Up Store and Timepiece Showcase
Alongside its cinematic endeavours, IWC showcased its latest watch novelties in a dedicated pop-up store. Center stage were limited editions inspired by the F1 movie, including the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP and the Performance Chronograph 41 in 18-carat 5N gold—worn by Idris’ character in the film. Also on display was the Ingenieur Automatic 40 with a green dial, a nod to the hero watch of the newly launched short film.
