IWC. An unusual stainless steel military wristwatch with sweep centre seconds

SIGNED INTERNATIONAL WATCH CO., MARK XI MODEL, MOVEMENT NO. 1245124, CIRCA 1960

细节

IWC. An unusual stainless steel military wristwatch with sweep centre seconds
Signed International Watch Co., Mark XI model, movement no. 1245124, circa 1960
Cal. 89 nickel-finished jewelled lever movement with engraved broad arrow, anti-magnetic cover, the black dial with white Arabic numerals with luminous details, luminous hands, broad arrow and encircled "T", sweep centre seconds with hacking feature, in circular water-resistant-type case with plain screw back, downturned lugs, fixed bars, case signed IWC and FH, dial and movement signed
36 mm. diam.

拍品专文

The present watch is part of a small series of Mark XI models made without case numbers or military markings. It is accompanied by the photocopy of IWC letter dated 26 February 2003 confirming that a limited number of Mark XI models with "plain" screw backs were produced in the early 1960s. The backs of these watches are neither numbered nor featuring IWC's signet nor military markings. However they bear IWC's signature as well as the casemaker's, FH.

Production of the Mark XI, one of the most legendary pilot's watches, was launched in 1948. The model was always fitted with the IWC calibre 89 movement, with or without the hacking feature, and cased in stainless steel, some early versions in chrome-plated brass.

It was issued to the British Ministry of Defence and used by the RAF as well as Commonwealth forces, including South Africa, New Zealand and Australia. The engraved numbers on the back differ depending on the service. Dials and military markings also vary but those for military use show a broad arrow, some, as the present watch, also the Ministry of Defence specification for tritium, the encircled T.