In F1: The Movie, a new chapter in high-speed cinema unfolds—and alongside the drama on the grid, two names take center stage: IWC Schaffhausen, the Swiss manufacturer known for precision engineering, and Rubber B, the brand redefining luxury rubber straps for mechanical masterpieces. While IWC’s watches are featured on the wrists of stars like Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, Rubber B offers the ultimate strap upgrade, bringing racing performance and modern luxury to collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Directed by Top Gun: Maverick’s Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Lewis Hamilton, and Brad Pitt, the $300 million Apple Original Films production immerses viewers in a cinematic Formula One experience. Filmed over two real racing seasons and using adapted F2 cars with real actors driving up to 180 mph, the film blurs the line between reality and fiction.
And through it all, timekeeping plays a starring role.
IWC on the Grid: The Horological Star of F1: The Movie
As the fictional APXGP team battles for a comeback, IWC does far more than provide props—it helps build the world. The Swiss brand’s deep connection to Formula One through its partnership with Mercedes-AMG Petronas makes its role feel authentic, not manufactured. Nearly 100 timepieces were used in production, designed or selected specifically for characters, engineers, and pit crew members.
IWC’s CEO Christoph Grainger-Herr and CMO Franziska Gsell collaborated closely with the production for over four years, contributing not only product but story development, wardrobe integration, and branding placement across gloves, visors, cars, and garages. In fact, Grainger-Herr himself makes a cameo—mouthing the word “rhubarb” as an extra in a pit scene.
This wasn’t a passive licensing deal. It was a horological integration of the highest order.
Brad Pitt’s Ingenieur and Rubber B: A Neo-Vintage Icon Reborn
Brad Pitt plays Sonny Hayes, a retired Formula One driver coaxed back into the cockpit as a mentor. On his wrist: a customized IWC Ingenieur SL ref. 1832, originally released in 1976 and reimagined specifically for the film. Pitt requested a version that was half as thick, prompting IWC’s R&D team to remove the anti-magnetic inner cage and replace it with a slimline case and movement holder—without altering the movement.
Finished with a sage green dial custom-made by Cloister Watch Company in New York, the watch exudes vintage soul with modern clarity. The piece inspired IWC’s limited Ingenieur Automatic 40 (Ref. IW328908), produced in 1,000 pieces, with gold accents and a grid-pattern dial reminiscent of the chequered flag.
For fans seeking a contemporary twist on this classic, Rubber B offers rubber straps tailored for the Ingenieur collection, providing the perfect balance of comfort and performance. Made from 100% vulcanized rubber and designed in Switzerland, Rubber B straps elevate the Ingenieur from neo-vintage statement to wearable daily driver—without compromising its iconic lines.
Damson Idris’s Gold Chronograph: Black-Tie Adrenaline Meets Rubber B Grip
Rising star Damson Idris plays Joshua Pearce, a hot-headed prodigy racing for APXGP. His timepiece is as bold as his character—the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41 in 18k red gold (Ref. IW388309). Featuring a black lacquer dial, Super-LumiNova numerals, and the in-house caliber 69385, this 41mm watch fuses functionality and luxury. The sapphire caseback reveals its beating heart, while the black-and-gold color scheme aligns with the team’s livery.
Paired with a black rubber strap in the film, the watch is made to handle high G-forces, track tension, and dramatic style—all core values of the Rubber B brand.
Rubber B’s straps for IWC chronographs amplify these features. Available in matching tones and adaptable to IWC’s deployant clasps, Rubber B straps provide enhanced grip, ergonomic fit, and weather resistance for those who live life on the edge, or want to look like they do.
APXGP Pit Crew and Team Watches: Daily Wearability, Track-Ready Looks
While Pitt and Idris wear hero pieces, the rest of the APXGP team is equipped with Pilot’s Watch Chronograph APXGP editions in stainless steel. The 41mm (Ref. IW388116) and 43mm (Ref. IW378009) versions feature white-on-black dials with gold accents and team logos engraved on the caseback.
These watches capture the everyday drama of the pit lane—the focus, the coordination, the precision of milliseconds.
Rubber B’s collection of straps enhances these professional-grade watches with advanced comfort and durability. With quick-drying vulcanized rubber, high tensile strength, and micro-textured finishes for improved friction control, these straps are ideal for the daily demands of modern life, whether racing through meetings or real circuits.
Pushing Boundaries: Ceratanium, Perpetual Calendars, and Tourbillon Power
The technical showpieces of the film come through in IWC’s most complex watches. The Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month (Ref. IW388801) features a full calendar with digital displays, flyback chronograph, and is crafted entirely from Ceratanium—a fusion of ceramic and titanium exclusive to IWC.
For collectors, it’s a mechanical marvel. For engineers, it’s a nod to the complexity of F1 vehicles.
Rubber B complements this masterpiece with custom straps engineered for high-complication watches, offering both sophistication and stability. The strap’s shock absorption, UV resistance, and hypoallergenic properties align with the demands of high-tech horology.
For shock resistance, the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL is tested to withstand up to 10,000 Gs. It’s the apex of mechanical innovation—perfect for the most daring collectors.
Watches That Earn Their Screen Time
Unlike traditional sponsorships, IWC’s presence in F1: The Movie was collaborative and technical. Every watch was selected based on character, story arc, and cinematic purpose. Pitt’s Ingenieur, Idris’s gold chronograph, the APXGP team’s steel watches—each was developed with the input of costume designers, directors, and even the actors themselves.
Rubber B mirrors this philosophy in its strap design. Rather than generic solutions, Rubber B develops model-specific straps engineered for exact case fits, curvature, and integration. Whether for comfort, aesthetics, or technical harmony, Rubber B delivers performance at the level of the watches it’s built for.
Elevate Your IWC F1 Watch with Rubber B Straps
From the track to the premiere, the watches of F1: The Movie are masterpieces in motion. With Rubber B, owners of these iconic timepieces can complete the look with high-performance, Swiss-made rubber straps.
Explore the perfect pairing for your watch:
For the IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 (Ref. IW328908)
- Rubber B offers curved-end straps designed for seamless integration
- Choose from classic black, racing green, or color-matched tones
- Ideal for everyday wear, water sports, or track days
Explore Rubber B Straps for IWC Ingenieur
For the IWC Pilot’s Chronograph 41 / 43 / APXGP Editions
- Custom-fitted straps in textured finishes, built for action
- Compatible with deployant or tang buckles
- Durable, lightweight, and non-toxic for long-term use
Discover Bands for IWC Pilot’s Watches
For the IWC Perpetual Calendar and XPL Tourbillon
- Precision-molded straps that match the sophistication of haute horlogerie
- Reinforced architecture for security and shock resistance
- Finished in black or tactical grey to match advanced case materials
Upgrade Your F1 Watch with Rubber B’s Elite Straps
Rubber B straps are the final detail—the pit crew for your wrist. Trusted by watch lovers worldwide, engineered in Switzerland, and ready to race.
F1: The Movie is now playing in cinemas around the world. Whether you’re a motorsport aficionado, a watch collector, or simply drawn to the thrill of precision, bring that same energy to your wrist with Rubber B—where performance meets legacy.
Do You Need a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Watch? Visit Rubber B Today
For those who would like to learn more about Rubber B’s complete list of products, shipping policies, and pricing, or have questions about their custom rubber watch straps, please visit the Rubber B website today for more information. One of their valued team members will be happy to answer any inquiries promptly.
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