Classic Design: Pictorial Showcase of the IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII

    2016 1 18 to 1 22, the 26 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie has officially opened its doors in Geneva, Switzerland. The number of participating brands at this year's exhibition has reached an unprecedented 24, with Ralph Lauren withdrawing and 9 independent brands, including Christophe Claret, joining the lineup. An exhibition with such a large scale is destined to bring unexpected surprises, so please join our editors for an exclusive early look:

·IWCPilot's Watch Mark XVIII

      The name Mark XI originated from the Royal Air Force, where all equipment within the armed forces was designated as “ Mark ”. Although manufactured by numerous producers, they were interchangeable due to identical mounting dimensions and fixing points. The correct spelling for the Mark XI is “Mk. 11”, because shortly after the end of the Second World War, the Royal Air Force abandoned the use of Roman numerals for numbering in favour of Arabic numerals for counting. Within just a few months, the Mark XI defeated all competing products through its superior robustness and timekeeping accuracy. Over the following years, IWC manufactured over 8000 military Mark XI wristwatches for the Royal Air Force, until it was retired as a precision navigation watch from the Royal Air Force in 1981. Alongside the military watches, the manufacture also produced approximately 1500 civilian versions. The final batch of watches was delivered to retailers in 1984. 10 years later, IWC carried on the Roman numeral tradition with the successor model, the Mark XII, a convention that continues to this day.

       IWC designers drew inspiration from the cockpit instrument panels of the Junkers Ju 52 from the 30s of the 20th century, basing everything on clarity and an uncluttered layout. The Arabic numerals are large and rounded, each in its designated position, with two exceptions: the numeral “12” is replaced by a white triangle flanked by dots to achieve greater legibility. The “3 o'clock” position features a date window— —a touch of modernity is still essential. The case back of the watch is engraved with a Ju 52 motif.

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