IWC and German Aerospace Center pioneering fibre-reinforced ceramics in watchmaking

IWC Schaffhausen and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have jointly developed the first watch cases made from ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material.

IWC Schaffhausen and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) have jointly developed the first watch cases made from ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material.

This fibre-reinforced ceramic combines the hardness and scratch resistance of conventional ceramic with additional durability and high tolerance to temperature shocks.

Since the 1980s, IWC has built expertise in advanced materials, including ceramics. Pioneering the use of zirconium oxide cases, IWC has since introduced materials like brown silicon nitride ceramic, black boron carbide ceramic, various coloured ceramics, and recently, a luminous ceramic called Ceralume.

In this project with DLR, the two organisations explored CMC’s potential in smaller components. Typically used in larger rocket parts and thermal protection systems, CMC was adapted using DLR's short-fibre pressing technology to create watch cases. Working with IWC’s engineering division, XPL, the DLR team developed a process specifically for manufacturing CMC watch cases.

The collaboration was successful for both partners: IWC added CMC to its growing portfolio of advanced case materials, while DLR, with its newfound expertise in small-scale CMC components, broadened applications for aerospace use.

The creation of a CMC watch case begins with a carbon fibre-reinforced polymer. Carbon fibres are cut, infused with resin, pressed into a mould, and then baked. Using short-fibre pressing technology, DLR shapes the material into a preform resembling a watch case. Through a high-temperature process called pyrolysis, the polymer matrix transforms over several days into a porous carbon matrix. 

In the next stage, called siliconisation, silicon crystals are added and heated, allowing the silicon to fill the pores and chemically react with the carbon, forming a silicon carbide ceramic. At this point, the case attains a hardness of about 2400 Vickers and can only be machined with diamond tools.

At an event at the DLR site in Stuttgart, representatives from IWC and DLR shared insights into their collaboration. Guests could observe the CMC manufacturing steps up close and view IWC’s Big Pilot’s Watch AMG G 63 (Ref. IW506201), launched in September 2023. This model integrates the CMC case, with a visible fibre structure that imparts a unique matte-black finish. iwc.com

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