A bit over a month ago, I posted a request for a manual for my newly acquired Mark XV (thanks cellar!!).
Well- after being wrapped up in a box in the cupboard for 6 weeks, today was the day I got to open the birthday present. To briefly recap, we are living in Europe for a few months, and my lovely wife suggested I check out some of the vintage/ secondhand watch dealers in Amsterdam- because she knows I'm into watches, although I've yet to really own a 'serious' watch as such. For some reason, I've always had an affinity for IWC, even when still in school in the mid 90's (maybe a friends dad had one? I can't really remember why). In my head, an IWC was always classic, simple and not ostentatious- and having done a lot of reading in the last 2 months, the watch I was picturing with a black and white dial, was obviously a pilot.
So- my search was pretty much limited to- have you got any IWC's, especially pilots! I was lucky in that I walked in a day after a Mark XV had been received on consignment, and it was yet to be advertised/ photographed etc, which meant I was able to secure a discount (didn't hurt that I picked up some vintage jewellery for the significant other at the same store). The watch came on a new black buffalo leather strap, with deployant clasp and the original box. It was love at first sight, and although they later had a Mark XVI come in as well- I wasn't to be swayed. Something about the XV: the classic hands and numerals, 38mm size which sits very well on my smallish wrist, and the knowledge that IWC significantly modified the calibre 'in-house' in those days (if you're into that sort of thing) made it an obvious first IWC for me. I can't think of many better everyday watches.
Well- today was the big unveiling, and I scored a nylon and a brown leather NATO strap as a surprise to complete the package also.
The watch is in great condition. It has T Swiss Made T: and I'm assuming is tritium given the ageing already visible, particularly in the hands and the number 3. I've tried to look up the case number on the IWC workbook to get a rough idea of year- but pre-2006 data is not compatible with my Mac. A quick trip into the bathroom reveals very bright 12, 9 and 6 indices which glow green, but very little light from the hands or 3 (not a big deal for me). A quick question though- if in future I put the watch in for a complete service, I'm assuming they would change to superluminova on the dial/ hands- would this mean new hands, and if so: would they still be Mark XV shape? Or- is it a better option to leave things be and let it get a bit 'tropical' over the next decades?
Anyway, enough rambling- a bit overexcited; here are some pictures (sorry- don't have a decent macro lens with me), thanks for any hints/ tips.
Remi
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