When Ed Sheeran launches a new album, it’s not just his voice or lyrics that turn heads—it’s also what he wears. For his eighth studio record, Play, the singer didn’t settle for ordinary. He teamed up with IWC to get a truly unique timepiece—a one‑of‑a‑kind Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar with a pink dial. And yes, as you might expect, it’s as bold as it sounds.
More Than Just a Watch
In the video for Camera, one of the singles off Play, Sheeran’s wrist does a little speaking of its own. The track is personal, touching on themes of love and family, and Sheeran uses visuals (including a cameo by actress Phoebe Dynevor) to capture those moments. The pink dial is not a random color pick; it’s entwined with the album’s aesthetic.
What makes this piece special is that it is custom. IWC built this Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar especially for Sheeran, with a white case and that very custom pink dial. If you follow his collectible watch journey, you will know this is not his first dalliance with IWC. Just a while earlier, he was spotted wearing a mysterious black ceramic IWC Ingenieur—another step in what feels like a growing friendship between artist and watchmaker.
Style, Symbolism, Softening Tradition
There is something poetic about a pastel dial on a watch traditionally known for its ruggedness. Big Pilot watches are large, bold, and historically more utilitarian; they are built for functionality, clarity, and presence. Introducing pink softens those edges. It does not make the watch less serious—it just adds personality. Something delicate layered over something strong.
According to watch experts, the combination of a white ceramic casing with a pastel pink dial is refreshing. Softening “macho” tool watches with delicate hues has been done before—both in niche, one‑off projects and special editions—but this particular match is rare. It’s eccentric, it’s striking, and it signals that such masculine classics can accommodate whimsy without losing integrity.
More Than Fashion—It’s a Statement
Yes, this is a fashion move, but it’s also a message. Sheeran has always been open about how personal Play is; he’s spoken about relationships, small life details, and everyday moments. Choosing a watch that stands out, one made just for him, says, “This is mine, this is part of my story. It’s also a nod to craftsmanship, collectors, and the world of watches as art—not just utility.
Industry insiders believe this piece echoes prior efforts by IWC (for instance, earlier pink‑dial prototypes offered in charity projects), but this one is more visible and more personal. It isn’t sitting quietly in a showcase. It’s on camera, on song, in movement. And between four and five o’clock on the dial, there is a discreet nod to the album name—“Play.” Tiny detail, but it ties it all together.
Will It Inspire a Trend?
One question people keep asking: is this just Ed’s signature flex, or are we going to see pastel-tool watches become more common? Will IWC or other brands run with this and release pink‑dial variants of traditionally rugged watches? Maybe. For now, this remains a one‑off, bespoke piece. But it feels like a test: see how people respond when something bold, colorful, yet elegant, comes from a watchmaker known for serious hardware.
Whatever happens next, this special Big Pilot is exactly right for the moment. It captures the mood of Play: softness and strength intertwined, personal stories given voice, and bold choices rooted in authenticity. And for fans of watches, fashion, or just good storytelling—it’s the kind of detail that elevates an album rollout from memorable to iconic.
