Case: Stainless steel, 40mm. Water resistant to 60m. Brushed. Signed.

Dial: Black with white markings and ivory lume. Arabic numerals. Hours, minutes, and seconds. Date window at 3 o’clock. Sapphire crystal. Signed.

Movement: Self-winding mechanical caliber 35111, Sellita SW-300 based. 25 jewels. Power reserve of 42 hours.

Reference: IW327007.

Case Number: 5625xxx.

Diameter: 40mm, thickness: 10.8mm.

Circa 2017.

Condition: Like new. Presented with original outer carton, box, and papers.

More about IWC:

With the wide array of pilot’s watches produced in the 1930s, the IWC Mark series are some of the most famous. The first of the IWC Mark series, Mark IX, was produced in 1936, and known as the “Spezialuhr für Flieger” or “Special Pilot’s Watch”. It featured a black dial, luminous hands, and a rotating bezel for measuring up to one hour of elapsed time. The movement was a caliber 83, which was shock-resistant and adjusted to extreme temperatures. The model was not actually known as the Mark IX until the next watch in the series was produced and designated the Mark X by the British Ministry of Defense, thus its predecessor became known as the Mark IX.

The Mark XI was introduced to the RAF in 1948, it is the best-known watch in the Mark Series and was manufactured based on British Ministry of Defense specifications. The watch featured a soft iron dial and dust cover to shield it from magnetism. It is also fitted with the legendary IWC caliber 89, an extremely robust and reliable movement.

The watch was issued to the (British) Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force,  briefly to the South African Air Force but also to the British Overseas Airways Corporation, and some were sold to civilians.

The present example is a tribute to the Mark XI, with cream lume to resemble patinated tritium, a large baton hand for hours, and a long, thin hand for minutes. A date window has been added, and the case size is increased to meet the current market. The “Tribute to Mark XI” was released as a limited edition of 1948 pieces.