The W25 “Silver Arrow” car signalled Mercedes-Benz’s entry into Formula 1 racing in 1934 and won the Klausen Pass hill climb event in the same year. IWC is bringing the car back to its roots this year.

Mercedes-Benz W25

Rudolf Caracciola at the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz W 25 in the 1934 Klausen Hill Climb, when he set up a record time of 15:22.20 minutes on the original course. After almost eighty years, the IWC Mercedes-Benz Classic team is bringing the legendary Silver Arrow back for the eleventh international 2013 Klausen Hill Climb.

Today, only one W25 survives and, as a result, its value is estimated at a staggering £35 million. German hill climbing champion Roland Asch will now follow Formula 1 world champions Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton as he takes the seat of the legendary car to tackle this year’s Klausen Pass hill climb along with other classic vehicles from the same period.

With the launch of its new Ingenieur collection for 2013, IWC has also dedicated a special model to the legendary Silver Arrow (Ref. 3785: the Ingenieur Chronograph Silver Arrow) with a dial inspired by the car’s dashboard.

The Klausen Hill Climb Memorial takes place from 27-29 September this year.