A piece of history finally on my wrist (Mark XI - RAF)

Thank you for the experts & the senior members here. I read a lot of the previous posts regarding the history & characters of the Mark XI, very informative & resourceful. Last week, I finally pulled the trigger for my first vintage IWC pilot. It's a 1952 British Royal Air Force Mark XI. The watch still remain the original dial, hands & unpolished case.

Some photos to share, hope you guys like it :-)

Thanks Tonny :)

Like it? ... We love it!

And indeed it looks in immaculate condition - especially for a 50's tool watch.

Welcome to the wonderful world of vintage and wear it in good health.

Yes I love it!! Every scratches on the watch tell a story. Despite of the short power reserve, normally the C89 can run 36 hours. My Mark XI only run 20 hours when fully wound. Also need to check the water resistant together by my watchmaker. Thanks for your kind words Mark! I'm delighted to be on board :-)

Have a good day!

Congratulations, I would LOVE to own a piece like that!

Wear it in good health,

Bob

A more than great acquisition - Congrats to your slice of the history!

Best wishes
/Anders

Thanks for the kind comments Bob & Anders! I wish you have a great day too!!

Congratulations! It is a beauty and I would have loved to own this piece too.

Interesting anecdote. From the pictures I believe this is the same watch I was about to buy 2 weeks back from a seller in Europe. I had offered to buy the same watch from them but he replied it was just sold 20 minutes later.

I am glad to know it went to a forum member. Wear in good health.

Cheers,
DY

Thanks for the greeting DY :) Yes, I bought it from a Germany dealer 2 weeks ago!! And I'm glad the deal completed in a smooth way!! This is my first Vintage IWC with little military background. I will cherish it & will take some more photos to share it here in the future. Again, thank you for the kindness comments from the old timer here!

[QUOTE="HongT"]Thank you for the experts & the senior members here. I read a lot of the previous posts regarding the history & characters of the Mark XI, very informative & resourceful. Last week, I finally pulled the trigger for my first vintage IWC pilot. It's a 1952 British Royal Air Force Mark XI. The watch still remain the original dial, hands & unpolished case.

Hi Hong,
Congratulations for becoming another proud owner of a Mark 11.
One correction though, which does not diminish your watch in any way. The dial on your watch is not the original dial installed in the factory in 1952. In 1952 the dials' luminosity would be Radium based, not Tritium based. The dial in your watch is a RAF replacement and dates from circa 1963.

Yes.. Yes.. I have read an article they mentioned for the health purpose, The MOD recalled all the Mark XI to replace their radium dial to tritium dial in 1963. I always thinking the dials replaced in 1963 was an original dial :)))) Actually, I love the circle T dial the most :) The famous Rolex 5517 also have a similar circle T on the dial!!

Thanks again Clepsydra!!

Don't get me wrong. The dial in your watch is IWC and RAF original. There is nothing wrong with that dial or your Mark 11, it is just not "the original" dial installed in the watch in Schaffhausen when the watch left the factory in 1952.

I got your point C :)

Congratulations, that's a lovely Mark 11.
I will always remember Kurt Klaus' remark, when he saw my Mark 11 at the collectors dinner in Geneva: "Now that's a real watch"!
Jens-Kristian

Yes Jens, that was a lovely moment :o)

Huge Congrats HongT, what a marvellous Mark XI you have acquired.

Thanks Jens!! Happy to know Mr. Krut also endorsed the Mark XI is an important watch to IWC.

Thanks Mark! Good to see you here!!