Thoughts on IWC Mark XV?

I'm liking this more and more - what do you think about it?



Since it was discontinued about 4 years ago, I guess it will be next to impossible to locate one NIB (there are none at the ADs in my country, at least).

If anyone knows where to get one new, or has a largely unworn one sitting in their vault, I'll be happy to hear about it

No doubt the Mark XV is a wonderful classic aviator watch. You might want to take a look at http://www.timefactors.com/speedbird.htm for a less expensive but very well-made option. I have one and am quite pleased with it. I put it on a black band since I'm not an enormous fan of the bracelet. (not my pic)

I have a Mark XII, EF limited Edition (EF are my initials). It's a wonderful watch. I was disappointed when the Mark XII was discontinued as it was a finer watch than the Mark XV due to the JLC movement instead of the ETA workhorse. That said, IWC reworked the ETA considerably. It's actually in my version of the Mark XII as well.

I think you shouldn't have much trouble finding one in near mint even if it's not NiB. Lots of people trade these types of timepieces. I'd recommend looking at the IWC forum on their own website. There is a trading post for discontinued watches. Also, Timezone.com is a good place to find a reputable seller at a fair price.

I have two IWC's. The aforementioned Mark XII EF and an Ingenieur from the late 90s before it was disconinued for 5 years before the current iteration was released. I really like their watches, but wish that they kept the size more reasonable. Eventually that fashion will end and 36-38 size watches will return.

Best of luck,

Eugene

Genuine question: is the added value of IWC's modifications to the ETA movement worth the huge price difference with other B-Uhren? Surely some of those must also be antimagnetic, no? Which IWC pilot watches have a fully in house movement?

I really love Mark XV, especially for the needle. I hate the needle in the later edition, which looks very ugly. I'm also in the market for a new old stock Mark XV without any luck.

Originally Posted by Kaplan

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I'm liking this more and more - what do you think about it?

Beautiful watch.

Not a fan, but I know it has a good following of admirers.

Originally Posted by radicaldog

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Genuine question: is the added value of IWC's modifications to the ETA movement worth the huge price difference with other B-Uhren? Surely some of those must also be antimagnetic, no? Which IWC pilot watches have a fully in house movement?

There are a number of things that makes the IWC upgraded beyond the movement. From what I understand IWC uses only the plates and bridges and everything else is their own or the highest available ETA parts for the 2892. It hand finishes the movement, which most companies don't do. They take the raw ETA and just slap a name on a bridge. But, IWC's case is superior not just because of antimagnetic cage around the movement. It's a higher grade of steel than most companies use. It's also made in house. So is the dial I believe. Whereas many watch companies just put the logo on the watch and make nothing- at least those that use ETA movements. Obviously Patek, Lange, Jaeger leCoultre, Blancpain, Breguet, and a few others use proprietary or in-house movements.

There's also a huge difference b/w the ETA 2892/A2 and the lower end ETA movements that others use. But that's another debate for another day.

agent86a, I did have a look at the Speedbird III (as well as some other similar projects) and I keep comming back to the IWC. But I think that the first(?) Speedbird without the date was pretty cool.

radicaldog, you mention 'B-Uhren', but as far as I understand it this design isn't considered a B-Uhr, like the ones still made by Stowa. It has more resemblance with the 6B/346 specification issued by the British Military of Defense, which were carried out by both JLC and IWC in 1946/47. I guess IWC's Big Pilot is closer to a B-Uhr?

Anyway, that's as I understand it. Hopefully someone will correct me if I'm off the mark here.

As for the movement, are there any differences between the ones in the Mark XV and the Mark XVI and in the Spitfire versions of these two? Do they all have identical caliber 30110 movements?

Originally Posted by scurvyfreedman

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I have a Mark XII, EF limited Edition (EF are my initials). It's a wonderful watch. I was disappointed when the Mark XII was discontinued as it was a finer watch than the Mark XV due to the JLC movement instead of the ETA workhorse. That said, IWC reworked the ETA considerably. It's actually in my version of the Mark XII as well.

Best of luck,

Eugene

Please post some pics of the EF. I haven't seen one of those in years.

I've got a few Mk XVs. The white dial and original Spitfire version in the pictures below. I've also got a black dial one.

Regardless of the look, the optional XV bracelet is one of the most beautifully finished and comfortable, ever made - regardless of price. That said, the watch itself is an understated classic. Do it!

Originally Posted by scurvyfreedman

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I was disappointed when the Mark XII was discontinued as it was a finer watch than the Mark XV due to the JLC movement instead of the ETA workhorse. That said, IWC reworked the ETA considerably. It's actually in my version of the Mark XII as well.

This is an opinion shared by many, but I prefer the IWC-reworked ETA. The JLC movement is more exclusive than the ebauche supplied by ETA, but the version in the Mark XII is the most rudimentarily finished and essentially untouched by IWC. It's actually quite ugly. In contrast, the ETA is heavily reworked by IWC and much prettier to look at. So, to my mind, the Mark XV is a more interesting watch, as its movement is at least equal in quality, and it is more 'IWC' than the Mark XII.

I have the white dialed version and it's one of my favorite watches. The bracelet is a thing of beauty.

I have the "classic" Mark XV and love it - it's thin, nicely sized, assuringly heavy and has a great bracelet.

/M

I like the white dialed one very much as well, but as with the black one I much prefer the look of it on a strap.

As for the bracelet, I've heard a lot of good about it. But I must admit that the only bracelet I really like is the one on my sub (hollow links, stamped clasp and all ).

Regarding the Mark XII, I kinda prefer it's dial design with the longer and thinner 5 minute markers, but a 38mm case is as low as I believe I can go so my search is focused on the Mark XV.

Singular, I'm not surprised to hear you have a Mark XV. I thought about PM'ing you to check if you knew where to get hold of a new one. So far I've called the Danish ADs, written the Swedish ones and about 20 more in London and Barcelona (as I expect to visit there soon). Most have replied by now and no luck so far.

Btw, does anyone have any insights into this:

Originally Posted by Kaplan

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As for the movement, are there any differences between the ones in the Mark XV and the Mark XVI and in the Spitfire versions of these two? Do they all have identical caliber 30110 movements?
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