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

Thanks Mark! Good to see you here!!

Hi Toni, I want to learn some history about your white 12. I think it maybe the first batch of the mark XI order from IWC. I would be grateful if you can share how many of the white 12 exist(approx) & Is it hard to find nowadays?

Hi Hong.
I own two "white 12" Mark 11s, one from the RAF and one from the BOAC and both from 1951.
I have no idea how many Mark 11s with "white 12" are extant, but they are definitely scarce. I've heard some ridiculously low numbers, but they are unsubstantiated.
Mark 11s from 1948 and 1951 left Schaffhausen with the "white 12" dial. In 1952 the dial/hands were redesigned and the old dials/hands were changed when the watches were sent to Herstmonceux for maintenance. In 1963 Tritium replaced Radium and the T inside the circle denotes that.
These two Mark 11s escaped both modifications, although it is not known if BOAC also modified their first batch of Mark 11s.

Thanks for sharing your pair of white 12 Mark XIs! The double pencil hands look more balance than the regular block hour hand IMO. Seems the white 12 were rarer than the eagle's teeth in the Mark family. Thanks again Toni!!

The "double pencil" hands may be more balanced, but balance was not what the RAF was aiming for. RAF changed the dial design, introducing the triangle at 12, and the hands, differentiating the shape/length of the hour and minute hands, to improve readability at night in the dim lighting condition of the cockpits of military airplanes.

This caused the white 12 even more valuable. Congrats!

an excellent acquisition filled with so much history & heritage. enjoy!

regards,
thang

Thanks Thang, appreciated you comment!!

As everybody has already said, congrats on a great addition to your collection. Well done.

Thanks again Jarrod!!

Great thread. The mk11 is always a pleasure to wear and use and seeing Tony's two with original state dials and hands was a treat.

Thanks David!! The Mk11 got most of my wrist time!! Very enjoyable!