IWC has partnered with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation for the 12th time to release the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation” watch. Announced during the 2018 Laureus World Sports Awards in Monaco, the limited edition run of 1,500 pieces features a black ceramic case with the signature Laureus edition blue sunburst dial. There’s been an IWC watch done for Laureus (a sports-charity organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged children around the world) and this is the follow up to last year’s Da Vinci Chronograph edition.

This edition shares the same dimensions as the standard Mark XVIII, a 41mm case at a height of 11mm, with a lug-to-lug of 51mm. Ticking inside the Mark XVIII is the IWC Caliber 35111, an automatic movement based on the Sellita SW300-1, and in true pilot’s watch fashion, the movement is covered with an iron inner case to protect it from magnetism. Continuing their efforts to use ceramic in their cases, and following the trend towards ceramic in Switzerland, IWC has chosen to feature a black ceramic case on this special edition, creating a jet-black look that allows the blue dial to stand out against the ceramic.

Conflicting with this jet-black look, however, is the titanium crown, which is not color-matched or DLC-coated, and disrupts the dark style of the watch. I would have liked to have seen IWC make more of an attempt to blend the crown with the case, rather than leaving it as is. Flanking the titanium caseback is an engraving submitted to IWC as part of its annual drawing competition they host with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, and is themed as “time to be healthy,” pun definitely intended. The watch will also come on an embossed calfskin leather strap, in black of course.

Ceramic cases have most certainly been “in” for the last couple of years, and it seems IWC wants to stay relevant in the ceramic experimentation arms race in Switzerland. I generally view these types of nonprofit collaborations as more of a marketing opportunity for the watch brand, rather than for the benefit of the foundation, but nonetheless, it’s nice to see the luxury community coming around to support what is legitimately a good cause, so a thumbs up there. Those who are feeling the blue and ceramic combo can purchase one of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation” watches for $5,650. iwc.com