International Watch Co., Schaffhausen, Mark XV "Die Fliegeruhr", Automatic, Ref. 3253. Center seconds, self-winding, water-resistant, stainless steel aviator's wristwatch with date and a stainless steel IWC link bracelet with deployant clasp.
Case: Two-body, polished and brushed, soft iron antimagnetic inner shield, concave lugs, screw down case back and winding crown, domed sapphire crystal.
Dial: Black with white Arabic numerals, triangular and baton indexes, aperture for the date. White steel baton hands.
Movement: Caliber 37524, rhodium-plated, 21 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance, shock absorber, self compensating flat balance spring, hack mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed.
Diameter: 38mm Thickness: 10mm
More about IWC:
The Mark XV is the civilian evolution of British issued Ministry of Defense watches made by IWC and other manufactures. With the wide array of pilot’s watches being produced in the 1930’s, the IWC Mark series are some of the most famous. The first of the IWC Mark series, Mark IX, was produced in 1936, and known as the “Spezialuhr für Flieger” or “Special Pilot’s Watch”. The model was not actually known as the Mark IX until the next watch in the series was produced and designated the Mark X by the British Ministry of Defense, thus its predecessor became known as the Mark IX.
The Mark X was soon followed by the IWC Mark XI which was issued in 1948 and was in service until the late 1980s. The IWC Mark XI is the iconic "Flieger watch" and was used by the British MOD but also Commonwealth countries such as Australia, and South Africa, a civilian version was also introduced. Powered with the in-house caliber 89, the Mark XI is the classic utilitarian Military watch which inspired many watches including the Rolex Explorer.
In 1994, IWC introduced the Mark XII, a 36mm watch exclusively made for the civilian market and powered with the automatic JLC 889 with a date. The watch commercial success suffered from a high retail price due to the expensive JLC movement. In 1999 it was discontinued and replaced by the Mark XV. They are no Mark XIII or Mark XIV because these numbers are considered bad omen respectively in Europe and Asia.
The Mark XV was an extra two millimeters and received a new less expensive movement; the ETA 2892. The watch had all the antimagnetic, waterproof and functional qualities of its predecessors. It was replaced in 2006 by the Mark XVI.
The watch is fitted with the rare small links IWC bracelet in matching brush steel which is extremely comfortable. The watch is in absolutely mint condition.
