IWC RESURRECTS THE ICONIC DESIGN OF THE MARK 11
Schaffhausen, 1 July 2017 – IWC Schaffhausen is launching a special version of the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII featuring the original design of the historic Pilot’s Watch Mark 11. In reference to the year in which the first Mark 11 was produced, this special edition is limited to 1,948 watches.
The Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Tribute to Mark XI” (Ref. IW327007) incorporates aspects of the iconic design of the historic Mark 11. The small rectangles at “3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock” and the hands are coated with luminescent material to ensure optimal legibility, even at night. The model differs from the Mark XVIII from the current collection in that the indices are thinner and the triangular index at “12 o’clock” is not flanked by two dots. Like the original from 1948, the functional sports watch is worn on a green textile strap, also known as a Nato strap. A softiron cage protects the automatic calibre from magnetic fields and the sapphire glass is secured against sudden drops in pressure in the cockpit.
The Pilot’s Watch Mark 11 with a black dial and luminescent white Arabic numerals was produced in Schaffhausen from 1948 until the early 1980s. It was primarily supplied to the Royal Air Force but was also used by other Commonwealth armed forces. In 1994, a subsequent civilian model – the Mark XII – started the enduring tradition of Mark Pilot’s Watches, which have long since been among the most popular watches manufactured by IWC Schaffhausen. This special edition will be available exclusively from Harrods in London for three months starting in July 2017. After this, it will be available for purchase in all IWC boutiques and authorized retailers.
IWC Schaffhausen is the Engineer of Watchmaking. In 1868, the American watchmaker and engineer Florentine Ariosto Jones established the ‘International Watch Company’ in Schaffhausen in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. By combining the best of human craftsmanship and creativity with cutting-edge industrial technology and processes, he laid the foundation for IWC’s unique engineering approach to watchmaking.
IWC’s distinctive and pure design is brought to life through collections ranging from elegant dress watches to sports and luxury sports watches, notably the Portugieser, Portofino, Pilot’s Watches and Ingenieur. Over its more than 150-year history, IWC has earned a reputation for creating professional instrument watches and functional complications, especially chronographs and calendars, which are ingenious, robust and easy to use.
A pioneer in the use of titanium and ceramic, IWC specializes in performance materials such as Ceratanium®. IWC’s advanced engineering division XPL develops technologies that enhance the durability of mechanical watches and extend their applications to environments with extreme conditions such as jet aviation and human spaceflight.
IWC is a leader in luxury watchmaking, crafting timepieces built to last for generations and continuously improving every aspect of how it manufactures, distributes and services its watches responsibly. Empowering the next generation of engineers, the brand also partners with organizations that work globally to support children and young people. IWC. EngineeredTM.