Hello,
Was wondering if I could learn more about my friends IWC Mark 11 from members of the forum. I can tell it's a Mark 11, with a Cal 89 movement. The dial has the broadarrow, and circled T, there are no military markings on the back, and there is no broadarrow on the bridge. The hands, I believe are non original, and movement range dates it to 1966. There is no serial numbers on the caseback.
Many thanks,
Dan
The hands are not Mk. 11. The rest I'm afraid is a mix of different parts of different Mk. 11. So unfortunately a real "put together".
Th. Koenig
Many thanks.
It does look like a Mark 11 at first glance, but the points mentioned—non-original hands, missing military markings, and mixed parts—suggest it’s a put-together piece rather than a fully original example. Still an interesting watch to look into, though.
I'm asking for help from expert Thomas Koenig
I am intrigued by the IWC Mark 11 and was able to buy the rare Mark 11, R.N Z.A.F.
However, as a non expert it is very difficult to judge whether the watch is completely original and if not so, what part is not original to the watch.
I sincerely hope that the well known expert Thomas Koenig sees this post and look forward to his comment.
I know the watch for a long time and what modifications it undergone. Send me a PM and your questions.
Th. Koenig
Dear Thomas,
Thank you very much for your reply. I would be very interested in learning more about the watch and the modifications you mentioned.
Unfortunately, I do not have your email address. Adrian and Tonny Berteloot have my email.
My email correspondence on this subject includes Adrian van der Meijden and Tonny Berteloot, so I thought it would be preferable to contact you directly through the IWC Forum.
I would be grateful if you could share any information you have about the watch and the modifications it underwent. I am conducting a detailed study of its history and technical characteristics, and your knowledge would be extremely valuable.
Thank you again for your willingness to help.
Kind regards,
RuiM
Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on picking up a Mark 11 — it is a wonderful reference, but also one of the most faked and "married" military watches out there, so caution is wise.
A few things worth checking while you wait for the expert verdict:
1. The movement serial — an Extract from the Archives from IWC will confirm the delivery date and destination. Mark 11s went to the RAF, RAAF, RNZAF and others, and the records usually match.
2. Military markings — the broad arrow and service markings on the case back should be crisply engraved, not laser-etched or soft. Many fakes get the depth and font of these wrong.
3. Dial and hands — original Mark 11 dials have very specific printing, and the hands should be the correct sword style with aged lume that matches the dial plots. Mismatched lume colour between hands and dial is a red flag.
4. The crown — original crowns are unsigned and of a particular profile; replaced crowns are extremely common.
Thomas Koenig is indeed the right person to ask — his knowledge of the Mark 11 production is unmatched. Good luck, and do share what you learn!
Dear jack5667,
Thank you very much for your advice; it is really helpful.
As for Thomas Koenig, he is undoubtedly an expert. I have some of his papers, which I consider particularly valuable, and I find something new every time I revisit them.
I have added two new images of the watch.
On the dial, I would draw attention to the hooked 7 and the aged lume. The crown also appears to be original to me: it is unsigned and has a distinctive profile.
Best regards,
great information
Thanks
The Cal. 89 and circled T are interesting details. Since the case has no military markings and the hands may not be original, I’d suggest sharing clear photos of the dial, movement, and inside of the caseback. An IWC specialist may be able to confirm its history and originality.