The Watch Appreciation Thread - Page 532

Hah, I was sure you had posted it on your blog My bad. Maybe I was just thinking of your 5513

Mark XV/XVI is a superb onewatch - does it all, is tough enough for using everyday but is still discrete enough to not look completely out-of-place to more elegant/formal clothes (especially on a strap). In addition to this it is somewhat under the radar, but still recognizable for those who appreciate it.

I tend to favour the XV (due to the less ooooomphy dial/hands design), and I'd think that old British aviators would certainly agree that something is fishy with the latest incarnation of a IWC Mark bearing a German dial design...

/M

Not really, it's very much the angle at which the pictures were taken that give this impression.

It's true I don't have a big wrist (6.5 inches), but the 40mm of these sports models fit just right.

its a bit different than their normal offerings for sure ! heres a night shot - the face is full lume

I second that. The XV has a much clearer lineage with the famous Mark X / XI. Something got lost with the XVI.

I think that IWC had it just right when they had the Mark XV / 3706 Fliegerchronograph / 3713 Doppelchronograph in their catalogue.

Here's one of the same era:




Very nice SM300, by the way.

I do enjoy my 3717, but I see that the character us even stronger in the generation before. Your PVDed 3706 (?) looks serious!

dislike the pushers not being blacked to match

That's a 3705 (ceramic)

...one badass IWC, hands down. It being un-matched is cool.

/M

Need help deciding what watch to get - advice would be great!

(sorry for shitting up this page with all the Panerai's, Omega's and Rolex's)

Sinn 556


or...

Oris Classic Date

ive had both (a variant of the classic master date) , and 2 sinns, with a 3rd on order

so u can imagine my response

sinn also looks handsome on strap

Again, not really trying to change any minds here, but I totally love my Mark XVI. This debate has been battled out ad nauseam on the watch fora probably since the day the XVI was released.

And I agree that it could be a superb "onewatch", although I could personally never get by with just one watch!

My own reasoning, in brief, for going with the XVI:

• I think the extra millimeter of the XVI sits a little nicer on my own wrist (approx 7") vs. the XV version (39mm as opposed to 38mm)....and yes, I realize that only watch nuts would split hairs like this. It's only a millimeter, but still....I guess that's why we are watch nuts.
  
  
• I never really loved how the XV and other iterations, had the pointed tip on the minute hand, but the hour hand was blocked-off. That's just me. I like the new shapely version and its aggressive, not-quite-sword-shaped taper.
  
  
• the numerical font is preferable TO ME on the XVI...yes, it is larger and I suppose more "modern" looking, rather than the traditional dial. But I think it looks super crisp in person, and just really catches my eye in a good way.
  
  
• the missing 3, 6, and 9 are often what drive the haters crazy about this watch...but I'm just taken with how it opens up the dial on this particular piece. Strictly a preference in this case
  

So, vive la difference and all that.

I would not kick a Mark XV out of my bed if I had one. That is not what I'm saying at all. They are highly desirable in their own right, and I truly understand the XVI doesn't quite fit into that same exact IWC strain of pilot's watch DNA for everyone.

Honestly, if I could have checked out a 40mm Stowa in person (sterile dial, ETA-powered, blued hands), then I might have opted to save the $$ and go that route. But I was able to get my Mark XVI from an authorized dealer at a reasonable discount and see it on the wrist prior to buying.

Might as well use the mini-rant as an excuse to post the below pic (not mine, and not sure who to credit), but I thought this was a pretty good image:

Totally different aesthetics between the two watches, but I much prefer the Sinn over the Oris.

+1 on the 556, and the Mark XVI doesn't look as bad as people make it out to be.