IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Comprehensive Review
Occasionally, the most remarkable watch launches are the ones that unfold silently. They remain unnoticed by the masses and reveal themselves as hidden treasures exclusively to true enthusiasts. Such is the case with the latest offering from IWC — the Pilot’s Watch Mark XX. Absent any grand press releases or extravagant marketing campaigns, these two exquisite pilot’s watches have discreetly made their appearance on the official IWC Schaffhausen website. For those who may have overlooked this remarkable unveiling, here is a comprehensive rundown of everything you should know about the highly anticipated IWC Pilot’s Mark XX.
IWC Pilot’s Mark Series
IWC introduced its inaugural pilot’s watch, known as the Special Pilot’s Watch, in 1936, marking the inception of the renowned Mark series. This timepiece was specifically engineered to withstand formidable magnetic fields, extreme temperatures, and vibrations commonly encountered in the cockpit. Its distinguishing features included a luminous dial, ensuring effortless readability for pilots. Subsequently, the British Ministry of Defence enlisted the services of twelve watch brands, collectively referred to as the “dirty dozen” among collectors, to create military watches for their troops. IWC, in response to this commission, crafted the inaugural Mark series watch, named the Mark X, which would later achieve legendary status within the esteemed IWC Aviation collection. The introduction of the Mark X also prompted many to dub the original Special Pilot’s Watch as the Mark IX, denoting its predecessor.
Throughout its evolution, the IWC Mark watch has witnessed various iterations, such as the iconic Mark XI designed exclusively for RAF navigators, the Mark XV featuring an enlarged case, and the Mark XVI, which incorporated the flieger hands from the Big Pilot’s Watch. Until recently, the most recent addition to the IWC Mark watch lineup was the Mark XVIII, introduced six years ago as the Antoine De Saint Exupéry Edition and the Laureus Good for Sport Edition. While each iteration brought forth new characteristics and technological advancements, all of them adhered to the military tool watch aesthetic, establishing themselves as ideal companions for daily wear, both on land and in the skies. The latest offering, the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX, remains true to this tradition, exhibiting the same austere design qualities that have captured our admiration, with subtle enhancements incorporated into its specifications.
IWC Pilot’s Mark XX
Introducing the latest IWC Pilot’s Mark XX timepieces, which feature a sleeker design compared to their predecessors, the Mark VXIII models. While maintaining a 40mm diameter, the new case has been slightly reduced in height, measuring at 10.8mm instead of the previous 11mm. Additionally, the lug to lug distance has been minimized from 51mm to 49.2mm, resulting in a compact and comfortable fit on the wrist. Crafted from stainless steel, the case showcases a combination of brushed and polished surfaces, complemented by a sapphire crystal glass and a soft-iron inner case that provides protection against magnetic forces. Furthermore, the upgraded water resistance of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX now offers a depth rating of 100 meters, an improvement from the previous 60 meters.
The IWC Pilot’s Mark XX presents two dial options for discerning individuals. The first choice is a timeless matte black display, while the second option boasts a captivating sunray-brushed blue dial. Following the tradition of IWC Mark watches, the dials maintain an impeccably clean and legible appearance, featuring white printed markers for the minutes track and Arabic numerals for the hours. The iconic triangle marker remains positioned at 12 o’clock as a hallmark of the collection. The hour and minute hands are elegantly silver-toned with Superluminova inserts, ensuring optimal visibility even in low-light conditions. Notably, the date window introduces a new color scheme, featuring a white background and black printing to enhance readability.
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX incorporates several notable enhancements, particularly in its internal mechanism. At the heart of this timepiece lies the automatic winding Calibre 32111, a meticulously crafted movement by ValFleurier, responsible for powering the hour, minute, second, and date functions displayed on the dial. Its exceptional attributes include a remarkable 120-hour power reserve, 21 jewels for enhanced precision, and a frequency of 4Hz. The movement remains concealed behind a screw-down steel case back, preserving its integrity. Complementing each IWC Pilot’s Mark XX is a calfskin leather strap, featuring white stitching for the blue variant and tone-on-tone stitching for the black version. Secured with a stainless steel pin buckle, both straps are conveniently equipped with IWC’s EasX-Change integrated quick-release system.
