Lewis Hamilton's New Collaboration Is Ready for the Podium

The F1 driver's latest IWC adds to the grand tradition of grail timepieces for elite racers.

- CAM WOLF

THE FORMULA 1 DRIVER Lewis Hamilton has always understood the power of a great watch. He got into this hobby for the same reason many of us do: to find a timepiece that clicked with his interests while conferring respect, elegance, and maybe a touch of magic. That's why when he was younger he started his collection with a Mickey Mouse watch before saving up another 15 pounds to buy something "really elegant," Hamilton told GQ recently. "I was walking around always showing it off." His classmates, who mostly wore electronic Casios, weren't impressed. We all have our own version of Hamilton's Mickey Mouse watch in a drawer somewhere, the one that got us started. Now, Hamilton is reaching the pinnacle of his watch-collecting journey with the creation of a new piece with the Swiss brand IWC.