

This weekend’s British Grand Prix will once again see Brad Pitt take to the track, as filming continues for a Formula One movie produced by Apple Original Films and Lewis Hamilton.
And, just like the real-world teams, Pitt’s fictional APX GP team has some new sponsorship news to announce, in the form of a partnership with Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen.
IWC also sponsors the Mercedes F1 team, and given Hamilton is a driver of theirs – until he moves to Ferrari next season, of course – it's fitting for the watch company to feature in a film produced in part by the seven-time World Champion.
IWC says its logo will appear on the front wing and halo device of the APX GP race cars, as well as on the drivers’ race suits, helmets and gloves, plus the team uniforms and pit garage. Timepieces from ICW’s Pilot collection will be worn by various characters – such as team drivers played by Pitt and co-star Damson Idris, and other team personnel. Other sponsors seen on the fictional cars include Tommy Hilfiger (which is also associated with Hamilton), SharkNinja, Expensify and F1 tyre manufacturer Pirelli.
Watches to feature in the film, which doesn’t yet have a name, include the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 in stainless steel with a black dial, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun in black, and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41, also in steel with a black dial.
Motorsports fans learnt long ago not to get too excited at the prospect of their favourite sport appearing on the big screen. The history of the racing movie genre is littered with missed opportunities, lackluster scripts and far too many dramatic gear changes to truly impress hardcore fans of the real-world sport. But we’re an optimistic bunch, and hopes are still high that with Apple’s budget, Hamilton’s vast experience and Pitt’s star value, the upcoming film will be a success.
We’re pleased to see it being filmed at real F1 events, for starters. A pair of APX GP cars lined up at the back of the grid ahead of the 2023 British Grand Prix (since the script casts the APX duo as backmarkers) and shots of the real-world event were captured to add authenticity to director Joseph Kosinski’s vision. That’s the same Kosinski who was responsible for Top Gun: Maverick and Tron: Legacy.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
A set of IWC watches won’t make or break Hollywood’s latest attempt at a motorsport movie, but their inclusion continues to beat the authenticity drum. Although it doesn't yet have a name, Apple Original Films’ F1 movie will arrive in cinemas internationally on 25th June 2025, followed by a US debut two days later.
Alistair is a freelance automotive and technology journalist. He has bylines on esteemed sites such as the BBC, Forbes, TechRadar, and of best of all, T3, where he covers topics ranging from classic cars and men's lifestyle, to smart home technology, phones, electric cars, autonomy, Swiss watches, and much more besides. He is an experienced journalist, writing news, features, interviews and product reviews. If that didn't make him busy enough, he is also the co-host of the AutoChat podcast.
-
Forget Switch 2, your OG Nintendo Switch just got a mammoth free update
Never fear if you can't pre-order the Nintendo Switch 2, the Switch and Switch Lite have been boosted with new system software
-
De'Longhi's new bean-to-cup coffee machine lets you enjoy 35 different barista drinks at home
You'll never enter a coffee shop again
-
Blue watches are making a comeback, but not in the shade you might think
Blue dials are my favourite watch trend of 2025 – here’s why
-
Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38 mm gets a blue diamond upgrade
We’re totally besotted by these diamond-bezelled beauties from Girard-Perregaux
-
Party like it’s 1995 with this iconic reissue from Timex
A sailing watch favoured by JFK Jr. is back on the scene
-
T3's Best of Watches and Wonders 2025 Awards
Here are the winners from Watches and Wonders 2025 Awards, as chosen by T3's watch experts
-
Laurent Ferrier upgrades its Classic Auto watch with stunning blue dial
Laurent Ferrier’s latest novelty might be my favourite from Watches and Wonders
-
Piaget goes for gold with new Polo 79 and Sixtie novelties at Watches and Wonders
Piaget has a theme for Watches and Wonders 2025 – gold!
-
This Grand Seiko is one of the most accurate watches we've ever seen
Grand Seiko’s new watch is accurate to an astonishing ±20 seconds per year
-
Ulysse Nardin debuts the lightest mechanical dive watch ever made
Watches and Wonders sees Ulysse Nardin mark a pretty big milestone