The Watch Appreciation Thread - Part two (Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Jaeger LeCoultre,

[smittycl]

What is the IWC pilot watch to get? MKXII? They are pretty cheap it seems. Did they come with a bracelet? Please educate me. I prefer used and neovintage.

I think Mark XV was mentioned here repeatedly as the one to get.

 

[Clouseau]

What is the IWC pilot watch to get? MKXII? They are pretty cheap it seems. Did they come with a bracelet? Please educate me. I prefer used and neovintage.

Far from being an expert, but i like a pilot watch. Not sure IWC are still doing the MKXII but you can apparently find one second hand between €1500 - 2500.

I prefer Stowa because they are doing a no logo version (if you want), and they are also (like IWC) one of the original "Flieger" brands. IIRC they are also cheaper, and they are doing a 36mm version too (not sure IWC does).

 

[Dino944]

What is the IWC pilot watch to get? MKXII? They are pretty cheap it seems. Did they come with a bracelet? Please educate me. I prefer used and neovintage.

The Mark XII had an optional steel bracelet. It's not a beads of rice style, but the links were smaller and narrower than the "Pyramid" links of the bracelets on early 3706 and 3713 Flieger and Doppel chronographs. When new, I almost always saw the Mark XII on straps rather than bracelets. I believe the Mark XII used a JLC base, and some people complained about it having issues. Not sure, if that was something that was resolved or not. Later models (edit: Fliegers after the Mark XII) used ETA movements. I liked these old IWCs of the 90's and early 2000s far more than what is offered today.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

What is the IWC pilot watch to get? MKXII? They are pretty cheap it seems. Did they come with a bracelet? Please educate me. I prefer used and neovintage.

The Mark XI is the quintessential IWC pilots watch that was actually issued to RAF pilots. I've wanted one for awhile. If you don't want to go vintage, I recommend the XII or the XV. The date window appears irregularly placed in later models.

 

[chocomallo]

Thanks gents. Very helpful.

 

[Kaplan]

What is the IWC pilot watch to get? MKXII? They are pretty cheap it seems. Did they come with a bracelet? Please educate me. I prefer used and neovintage.

As nice as the Mk XII is, I went with the Mk XV as for me it's the perfect size for this kind of watch, with its 38mm (the Mk XII is 36mm, IIRC). It's also the last 'Mark' watch by IWC to keep most of the original design cues of the 6B/346 specification set by the British Air Ministry for the Mark 11 in 1948.

Old pic of mine, worn on a black nato:

When I started looking for it 12 years ago, I made a thread over here. It has links to some info on the history of the Mark watches, specifically in post #44, around here.

 

[montecristo#2]

For discussion — Is it a bad idea to take my AR shooting at the range while wearing my Breguet XX?

 

[NakedYoga]

For discussion — Is it a bad idea to take my AR shooting at the range while wearing my Breguet XX?

Shooting .223 or 5.56? Probably not. 300 Blackout or some other weird cartridge? Maybe, but I doubt it...

 

[NakedYoga]

I understand the iconic status of IWC pilots, but I have had a love/hate relationship with them. It doesn't help that they tend not to look good on my wrist. I'm more partial to Sinn's flieger offerings.

 

[patrick_b]

I understand the iconic status of IWC pilots, but I have had a love/hate relationship with them. It doesn't help that they tend not to look good on my wrist. I'm more partial to Sinn's flieger offerings.

But remember...soft-iron inner case is the end all be all of Richemont.

 

[chocomallo]

As nice as the Mk XII is, I went with the Mk XV as for me it's the perfect size for this kind of watch, with its 38mm (the Mk XII is 36mm, IIRC). It's also the last 'Mark' watch by IWC to keep most of the original design cues of the 6B/346 specification set by the British Air Ministry for the Mark 11 in 1948.

Old pic of mine, worn on a black nato:

View attachment 1822943

When I started looking for it 12 years ago, I made a thread over here. It has links to some info on the history of the Mark watches, specifically in post #44, around here.

That is a stellar shot. I really like this with the pyramid bracelet Dino mentioned. It seems like there are two styles--one with pyramid style segments in the second and fourth row and one with pyramid segments in all five. I like the latter one.

I might try to track one of these down.

 

[E. coli]

Wrist shot before ending its rotation

 

[mebiuspower]

Beautiful and free CdA Idaho...

 

[smittycl]

 

[Neville Southall]

Beautiful and free CdA Idaho...

View attachment 1823120
View attachment 1823119

I really like that Seamaster. It’s so cool in the flesh.