IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII
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Why We Love it
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Why We Love it
–The IWC Pilot's Watch can trace its history back to the oversized timepieces produced for military aviators in 1940. These enormous pieces were originally designed for maximum legibility in a cockpit setting, and — believe it or not — were meant to be worn on the pilot's thigh!
Today, the Pilot's line is perhaps IWC's most identifiable collection, featuring a variety of case and dial configurations suited for any taste — provided your wrist can handle the larger-than-average dimensions. If not, that’s where the Mark series comes in. These watches are contemporary takes on the original Mark X and Mark XI watches from the 1940s.
This particular watch, a Pilot's Watch MARK XVIII, features a 40mm brushed stainless steel case with lovely polished chamfers, a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, and a polished, stepped bezel. It houses a luminous matte black dial with printed ‘Arabic’ indices, a matching ‘sword’ handset, and IWC's Calibre 30110 (ETA 2892-A2 base) with 21 jewels and a 41-hour power reserve within.
Paired to a dual signed IWC & Santoni black leather strap with a signed steel pin buckle, this piece is the essence of a Pilot's watch.
With excellent legibility, handsome looks, and utilitarian, military influence, it’s no surprise that the Mark series has become a cornerstone of the IWC collection.
Brand Story
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Brand Story
+Though the International Watch Company was founded 35 years before Wilbur and Orville Wright’s first flight, the association between IWC and aviation began just as the age of flight dawned: A pocket watch made by the company in the 1890s found its way into the pocket of one Robert Albert Lotter, a pilot in the German Luftwaffe who served with distinction during the First World War.
Two decades later, in 1936, IWC released a watch that set the standard for pilot’s watch design, the Spezialuhr für Flieger, or Special Pilot's Watch. Another would follow in 1940, the Beobachtungs-ühren (“observation watch”), which spawned an entire model line in IWC’s current collection called the Big Pilot. However, despite the Big Pilot’s current popularity, it was the Special Pilot’s Watch that would lay the cornerstone for IWC’s most iconic line: the Mark series of pilot’s watches.
IWC released the Mark XI in 1948 according to specifications set forth by the British Ministry of Defense. These watches had to be legible, compact, and able to withstand exposure to the magnetic fields emitted by instruments in an airplane’s cockpit. The Mark XI, therefore, had a black dial with large luminous Arabic numbers, while its incredibly robust Calibre 89 movement was encased in an iron cage. (Later, in the 1950s and 1960s, IWC would produce myriad dress watches in steel and gold based upon the Calibre 89 movement, which remain relatively plentiful on the vintage market.)
The Mark XI served as the basis for design inspiration for a robust line of pilot’s watches still being produced today – easily identifiable by their clean, uncluttered dials, robust cases, and outstanding quality.
A:S Guarantee
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A:S Guarantee
+Our Pledge
Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.
Condition
Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.
Warranty
We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.
International Buyers
Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.
Shipping & Returns
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Shipping & Returns
+All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.
Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.
We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.
Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.
We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.
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IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII
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- Sold