295 - IWC / International Watch Co. - British Royal Air Force

IWC / International Watch Co. - British Royal Air Force A highly sought-after and legendary vintage aviator's wristwatch from the British Royal Air Force Movement No. 1214717, Ref. MK XI, Cal. 89, Case No. 1820/51, Dimensions 36 mm, circa 1951, Origin: Switzerland Case: Steel, screw-down back with military engraving: “broad arrow” and 6B/346-1820/51, anti-magnetic protection cap. Dial: Black, “broad arrow,” Arabic numerals, tritium hour markers and hands. Movement: Manual-winding. The “Mark XI”: In 1948, IWC designed new aviator’s watches for the British military; they were used by various air forces within the United Kingdom. Equipped with the legendary hand-wound “Caliber 89” movement, they promised the highest possible reliability under the toughest conditions and protection against magnetic interference in the cockpit without compromising accuracy. The testing conditions—under which the “Mark XI” had to withstand extreme tests for 648 hours before delivery—were also unprecedented. The reliable IWC “Mark XI” was also used as an expedition watch; for example, it accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary and Mr. J.H. Miller—who served as chief navigator of the “Ross Sea Expedition”—on their arduous expedition to Antarctica. The version for the civilian market was launched very late and was released in the early 1980s; only about 1,000 pieces were produced. Case: very good, worn. Dial: very good. Movement: very good, running, cleaning recommended. Please note that leather straps made from endangered or protected species—such as alligator, crocodile, or lizard—are used in our catalog or on our website for illustrative purposes only. For customs-related reasons, such straps cannot be shipped outside the EU.