Why Toto Wolff donned two timepieces at the Singapore Grand Prix

Toto Wolff showed up at the Singapore Grand Prix last weekend sporting not just one, but two timepieces on his left wrist. This isn’t the first occasion he’s donned dual watches, and with the backing of Mercedes sponsor IWC Schaffhausen, it surely won’t be the last.

Wolff wore two watches to keep track of different time zones. One was set to Singapore time, while the other tracked European time. This arrangement allowed him to manage the intense demands of the night race while remaining aware of the time back in Brackley, or possibly Monaco, where his family resides.

This practice has been part of Wolff’s routine for an extended period. His collaboration with IWC saw him wearing the Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff edition throughout the Singapore Grand Prix weekend. This 44 mm watch, crafted from Ceratanium and limited to just 100 pieces worldwide, is designed to endure even the most vigorous of Austrian desk slams— a trait Wolff has been known for in the past.

The second watch seemed to be IWC’s latest Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, which the brand developed as an homage to this year’s Singapore Grand Prix.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes

Its purple sunburst dial draws inspiration from the Vanda Miss Joaquim orchid, Singapore’s national flower, and features Petronas-green numerals and markers, black hands, along with a coordinating purple rubber strap. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli contributed to the launch earlier this year.

It goes beyond merely reflecting team colors. The 41mm grade 5 titanium case houses IWC’s in-house calibre 69,385 automatic chronograph, boasting a 46-hour power reserve visible through a sapphire case back, and it is water-resistant up to 100m. Unlike Wolff’s 100-piece Big Pilot, however, this one isn’t a limited edition. It is part of IWC’s permanent collection and retails for CHF 7,700.