The idea of finding a watch that is not only superior in performance, but also affordable, and suitable for daily wear is daunting. After all, there are too many factors to consider, including aesthetic appeal, design, wear resistance, history, technology, reliability, complexity, accuracy, after-sales service, price, resale prospects, and even brand awareness. It’s all important. Aside from the subjective criteria of potential buyers, it must be pointed out that there are very few models that can balance and meet all of the above requirements, including the IWC Mark series.
IWC Mark XV Watch
Take care of this
Under normal circumstances, a characteristic watch is inevitable. Sometimes, for example, a vintage watch full of history lacks abrasion resistance; a watch with a full sense of technology lacks reliability; and a watch with a high price can not be optimistic about resale. Achieving the perfect balance is no easy task. Generally speaking, most modern diving watches are not suitable for daily wear. What is needed for daily activities is a slimmer and simpler watch. Formal watches are slim and easy to wear, but not robust enough and have a single style. As for modern chronographs, with few exceptions, they are also quite bulky.
IWC Mark XII watch
Of course, no watch is flawless, especially if we want daily use, we make concessions based on subjective standards. For example, the legendary Omega Speedmaster ‘Moonwatch’ is equipped with a manual winding movement. Although it meets most of the above requirements, potential customers who prefer automatic (automatically more suitable for daily use) may still be turned away. Another signature model, the Rolex Explorer, does not have a date display function. Some people may say that without the date display window, the dial is cleaner, but personally, I think the date display function is very important for daily wear of the watch. The same is true of Jaeger-LeCoultre geophysical watches. Breitling aviation chronographs lack water resistance. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches and Patek Philippe Nautilus watches are more expensive. After closer inspection, you will find that even if the iconic design is still lacking in some aspects, it is difficult to say that it is perfect for daily wear. However, the IWC Mark series is different.
IWC Mark XVI watch
History background
In 1936, IWC launched the first pilot watch, named Spezialuhr für Flieger. This watch is contrasting, with a black dial, fluorescent hands and a rotating bezel. Of course, it is driven by the Caliber 83 manual winding movement, which is impact resistant, rigorously tested and carefully tuned. It should be noted that IWC has never named it Mark IX, its name comes from the next watch-Mark X. Mark X watches carry the same movement and are engraved with wide arrows (confirming that the watch is government property, indicating the type of goods to distinguish them from weapons) and three ‘W’ signs (referring to Watch, Wrist and Waterproof ). In 1944, the British Ministry of Defence distributed it to the military. For five years, the Mark X watch has served various military personnel.
IWC Mark XVII watch
Later, the Mark X watch was replaced by the legendary Mark XI, which was designed and built according to the strict specifications required by pilots during the mission. The Mark XI watch is equipped with a stop device to ensure accurate time setting; it has a soft iron inner case of Faraday cage to protect the movement from magnetic fields; the mirror assembly is stable and can withstand sudden pressure drops without loosening ; Black dial decorated with fluorescent hands, bright and easy to read. After delivery, these watches have undergone a comprehensive and thorough ‘precision navigation watch’ test for up to 44 days, and each batch must be sent to the Royal Observatory Greenwich (UK) in Herstmonceau every year Recalibration. Although the delivery of Mark XI watches to the Royal Air Force had expired in 1953, these watches were not officially retired until 1981. Mark XI watches have also been distributed to British Overseas Airlines pilots and navigators. In addition, IWC has sold more than a thousand watches through its commercial network.