IWC has always been a brand that takes to the skies. This marriage of IWC and aviation began with the production of the first watch ever developed solely for aviation, the Spezialuhr für Flieger or Special Pilot's Watch, in 1936. The Special Pilot's Watch later became known to collectors as the 'Mark IX,' the progenitor of IWC's fabled 'Mark' series of pilot's watches. The Mark IX more or less set the standard for what aviator's watches would look and feel like: It had a black dial, large luminescent numerals and indices, and — most importantly — a shock-absorbent movement, the Calibre 83. Production of the Mark IX ceased in 1944 when the model was supplanted by the Mark X. The Mark X, produced from 1944 to 1948, saw wrist-time during the closing days of World War II. This is one of the famous 'Dirty Dozen' produced by the twelve manufacturers that met standards passed down by the British Ministry of Defense. With case backs stamped "W.W.W." for "Watch Wristlet Waterproof," these watches were, as one can infer from the name, waterproof, shock-absorbent, and bore the looks (black dial, luminous hands) already typified by the 'Mark IX.' As the military increasingly embraced aviation, the importance of watches as navigational tools increased. Once again the British Ministry of Defense called upon manufacturers to design watches that could meet the rigorous standards required for military use. A new tender, which the MoD coded '6B/346,' required chronometer-grade, anti-magnetic movements. The MoD awarded the contract to two manufacturers: Jaeger-LeCoultre and, of course, IWC. In creating the Mark XI, IWC met the antimagnetic properties set forth by the MoD by covering the movement with a soft iron cage. The Mark XI was fitted with the Caliber 89, regarded as perhaps the most robust three-hand movements of all time. Featuring an 18,000-vph beat rate, a Breguet overcoil, and a special IWC-patented drive for its sweep-seconds hand, this Albert Pellaton-penned design is still beloved by watchmakers today. The Mark XI entered military service in 1949 and was decommissioned in 1981. It was not replaced in the Mark line until 1993, when the Mark XII was introduced, a model that maintained the look and the feel of the Mark XI, but featured an automatic movement and a date wheel. The movement powering it, the IWC caliber 884/2, was based upon the JLC caliber 889/2. The Mark XII, more refined than its predecessors, launched the Mark line into the realm of civilian wear. And yet it retains the austerity of the military watches it succeeds, with a stainless steel case in un-fussy matte finishing. Except, that is, for the rare 18K yellow gold version, produced in roughly 3,000 pieces. Measuring 37mm in diameter and featuring a screw-down crown, a sapphire crystal, a screw-down caseback, and a smooth bezel, it boasts a handsome black dial with an outer white minute track, 'Arabic' and luminous rectangular and triangular tritium indices, a date widow at 3 o'clock, and IWC's signature luminous 'Mark' handset with a 'sword' minute hand a stubby hour hand. Paired to a brown leather strap with a signed yellow gold pin buckle and accompanies by its inner and outer boxes, this attractive and versatile watch is right at home on the modern wrist, a perfect marriage of military precision and modern sensibilities.
