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IWC Mark: New Silver Dial Commemorates 75 Years Of The Iconic Pilot’s Watch Series

Time to light the candles as the IWC Mark series turns 75 with the new launch of the Pilot’s Watch Mark XX.
This follows last year’s release of the Mark XX that incorporated a range of vibrant dials such as sunburst green and sunburst blue.
Considered one of the best entry-level watches in the IWC Pilot lineup, the brand has gone for subtlety thanks to a new silver, white dial in two variations.
One of the most classic pilot’s watches around, the IWC Mark XX comes off the back of the well-known collection hailing from 1935 (Mark IX), designed for the British Royal Air Force.

Brief History Of The IWC Mark

Mark our words…you won’t want to miss this if you are looking to buy an IWC Mark XX watch! Initially produced for those hardy pilots of the British Royal Air Force, the initial watch was entitled Mark 11. This codename gave birth to what avid horophiles and collectors know as the Mark series.

In fact the history of the Mark can be traced back to the mid 1930’s. With the breakout of World War Two, many pilots were struggling to slap their watches on their wrists quickly enough. Supply and demand you might say especially when one needed pilot’s watches to take to the skies.

Fliegeruhr, Mark IX Stainless steel aviator's wristwatch, circa 1936, Source: Sotheby’s

Playing a key role during the Battle of Britain and Normandy, fuel levels were kept an eye on thanks to the extremely robust IWC Mark IX. This was coupled with several pivotal watch functions such as a glass bezel to signal taking off, hacking seconds, black dial and highly visible numerals filled with lume. These specific pilot’s watches had to cope with all manner of extreme temperatures, high altitude, turbulence not to mention G-force on an epic scale.

Other series were produced over the years from the Mark XII in 1993 right through to the Mark XVIII (most notable reference IW327006) in 2016, cementing their place as a horological forerunner in the best pilot’s watches category.

Personality Of The IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX

The brand new IWC Mark XX is identical to the other traditional Mark watches in the lineup. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal, brushed surfaces and screw in crown. Check. 40mm case as per previous models. Check. Case back made of steel? You got it.

Source: IWC

Mind you a shorter case length ensures much more comfort on the wrist while the watch's thickness has been slimmed down to a meagre 10.8mm. But yet this watch is as classic as a tweed jacket…with some style to boot.

Take it for a leisurely stroll after a long Sunday lunch or globetrot on vacation or business. The IWC Mark XX will certainly not let you timekeeping folk down. Ever so manly, yet subtle thanks to its polished accents and recognizable triangular index located at 12 o’ clock, isn’t it a wonder they make such top notch pilot watches?

Source: IWC

We like the aircraft etched on the caseback that adds horological design to the almost utilitarian appeal of the Mark XX. There is also a miniscule date aperture situated at 3 o’ clock but it’s the classic dial you will goo goo over. The squeaky clean visuals continue on the dial which is very Mark. This epic pilot watches collection has captured the hearts of the nation just like Vigo Venn, winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2023.

Vigo Venn, Source: Dymond/Thames/Shutterstock

Clarity siren alert. This one is as clear as crystal or a whole collection of crystal glasses. The silver-white dial really shines through making its mark you might say on this watch. This is precisely the same across the tracks while the revamped numerals and indices allow reading the time to be that much more of a near perfect horological experience.

Source: IWC

Aside from the matt black hands the silver-white dial including the quarter indices are white and full of lume, meaning legibility is very much on the agenda with the new IWC Mark XX. Available in either a calfskin leather strap or 5-link stainless steel bracelet, there is new integration that comes with this watch. Fully kitted out with the EasX-CHANGE® system, it means horophiles can switch out their strap or bracelet with little fuss

Other Specs:

Water Resistance: 100 metres / Case length: 49.2mm / Reference: IW328207 for the black leather strap and IW328208 for the 5-link stainless steel bracelet /

Calibre 32111 Movement

So what of the 32111 automatic calibre inside the spanking new IWC Mark XX? For starters, it has all the identical elements as per last year’s releases. This replaced former ETA movements that could be found in previous Mark series of old. Better yet, you will find the calibre 32111 in the new IWC Ingenieur unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2023.

Source: IWC

Beating along at a respectable but uninspiring 4Hz, Vorsprung Durch Technik this ain't. This brand is focused more on Form und Technik, one of their timekeeping straplines. However, the impeccable 120 power reserve or 5 days makes this a hot contender in the best pilot’s watches of 2023 (so far) .

Wear it for your entire working week with a sharp pin stripe suit or jet off in style for an extended break with varying coloured polos for the ultimate style. Heck, this baby will even last you well after your out of office hours are set.

How Much Can You Buy An IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX?

If you want to buy an IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX, it will set you back the MSRP price of £5,050 at the time of writing.

Chrono Hunter’s Selection Of The Best Pilot Watches

Looking to buy a watch with a little pilot pizzaz? Craving some aviation inspiration? Take to the skies in style with our top pilot’s watches that should fit the bill;

Longines Majetek
Rolex GMT-Master II
Breitling Navitimer
Zenith Pilot
Longines Spirit Flyback Chronograph
Bell & Ross BR 03-94 Multimeter
IWC Big Pilot
Breitling Emergency
Longines Avigation Type A-7
Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time
Richard Mille RM 39-01
IWC Perpetual Calendar Chronograph “Le Petit Prince”
Rolex Air-King 126900
Cartier Santos

What’s Our View?

White dial watches have been somewhat of an in thing with collectors and enthusiasts. Take the new Tudor Black Bay GMT Opaline dial or the discontinued Rolex Explorer reference 16570. As Michael Jackson once proclaimed, it doesn't matter if you are black or white. And the combination of black accents with white dials (silver-white in this case) is something that will never go out of fashion.

We doth our timekeeping cap to The Mark XX which has genuine contemporary feel while lending a nod to its pilot heritage. Plus we like the trimmed down 40mm size which is on point with consumers' penchant for slimmer watches. Full of character, charm, simplicity and a touch of vigour for those water sports enthusiasts with 100m of resistance, the Mark XX with its effortless silver-white dial is the epitome of IWC bar none.

Conclusion

Telling the time need not be a complex matter. For this reason many Timelords are looking to buy a watch for its durability, accuracy and that has a soupcon of military heritage. And the Mark XX ticks all those horological boxes.

With lineal heritage aplenty, imagine how those pilot’s felt during World War Two with one of these beauties on their wrist. Mind you, the Mark XI is on many collectors wishlists as a perfect grail watch. Specifically produced for the military, this is an incredibly hard to find collector’s timepiece with the last delivery given to the Australian Air Force at the end of the 1970s.

With a solid 5 day movement, high levels of legibility and understated accents, it goes to show some of the reasons why IWC remains top of the pilot watch charts, flying high above other major luxury brands. Hardy yet emanating lots of modern military vibes and renowned for their appearance in Top Gun, (kudos to the filmmakers who kitted out Tom Cruise and the cast with several authentic IWC pilot’s watches), The Mark XX is a sure fire timekeeping winner in our book.

Looking to take to the skies in style with a new luxury watch? Want to buy an IWC at the best possible price? Be the king of cool this summer and get in touch with Chrono Hunter. Contact us here to receive multiple offers in real time from our established selection of luxury watch retailers.

You can buy or sell all manner of IWC watches through us from The Big Pilot and Portofino right through the legendary Portugieser, Aquatimer and Ingenieur. Download our dedicated app today or simply enter the details of the watch via our simple online form. Enjoy first-rate customer service, a 4.9 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot and horological expertise like no other when you buy a watch or sell a watch.

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