IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII

The IWC Pilot's Watch can trace its history back to the oversized timepieces produced for military aviators in 1940. These enormous pieces were originally designed for maximum legibility in a cockpit setting, and — believe it or not — were meant to be worn on the pilot's thigh! Today, the Pilot's line is perhaps IWC's most identifiable collection, featuring a variety of case and dial configurations suited for any taste — provided your wrist can handle the larger-than-average dimensions. If not, that’s where the Mark series comes in. These watches are contemporary takes on the original Mark X and Mark XI watches from the 1940s. This particular watch, a Pilot's Watch MARK XVIII, features a 40mm brushed stainless steel case with lovely polished chamfers, a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, and a polished, stepped bezel. It houses a luminous matte black dial with printed ‘Arabic’ indices, a matching ‘sword’ handset, and IWC's Calibre 30110 (ETA 2892-A2 base) with 21 jewels and a 41-hour power reserve within. Paired to a dual signed IWC & Santoni black leather strap with a signed steel pin buckle, this piece is the essence of a Pilot's watch. With excellent legibility, handsome looks, and utilitarian, military influence, it’s no surprise that the Mark series has become a cornerstone of the IWC collection.