IWC Mark XI Pilot Watch At first glance, this IWC Mark XI Pilot Watch doesn’t look like much. However, peel back the layers on the watch’s storied pedigree and impressive vintage hand-wound caliber 89 movement and you just might find enough to justify the estimated $6,000 USD price tag. Swiss watch maker IWC was one of the original contracts whose watches were issued exclusively to British airmen during World War II, with production for the Mark XI beginning in 1948. Standard for many pilot watches of the time, the brushed, stainless steel case is fitted with an internal casing of soft iron to protect the movement from being adversely affected by magnetic fields. The watch itself gets a Nato strap, and luminous hour and minute markers. And if you’re still not sold, a close look at the watch’s case back reveals its extremely limited numbers — a true war survivor, and one highly sought after by watch collectors. View high resolution

IWC Mark XI Pilot Watch

At first glance, this IWC Mark XI Pilot Watch doesn’t look like much. However, peel back the layers on the watch’s storied pedigree and impressive vintage hand-wound caliber 89 movement and you just might find enough to justify the estimated $6,000 USD price tag. Swiss watch maker IWC was one of the original contracts whose watches were issued exclusively to British airmen during World War II, with production for the Mark XI beginning in 1948. Standard for many pilot watches of the time, the brushed, stainless steel case is fitted with an internal casing of soft iron to protect the movement from being adversely affected by magnetic fields. The watch itself gets a Nato strap, and luminous hour and minute markers. And if you’re still not sold, a close look at the watch’s case back reveals its extremely limited numbers — a true war survivor, and one highly sought after by watch collectors.

IWC 2012 Pilot Collection International Watch Co. unveils it’s 2012 Pilot Collection, following a sneak preview of the Top Gun Miramar chronograph a few weeks back. The newly distinguished professional pilot’s watches boast a wide range of functions and features, crafted from luxurious ceramic and titanium. Each watch from the collection comes with it’s own unique range of capabilities, while carrying a background story of heritage. As stated by IWC themselves, the name “Top Gun” stands for the best of its breed, which they believe is an epithet that applies to rest of the IWC range. The IWC Pilot collection is truly the mark of quality, and would make a very good investment indeed. View high resolution

IWC 2012 Pilot Collection

International Watch Co. unveils it’s 2012 Pilot Collection, following a sneak preview of the Top Gun Miramar chronograph a few weeks back. The newly distinguished professional pilot’s watches boast a wide range of functions and features, crafted from luxurious ceramic and titanium. Each watch from the collection comes with it’s own unique range of capabilities, while carrying a background story of heritage. As stated by IWC themselves, the name “Top Gun” stands for the best of its breed, which they believe is an epithet that applies to rest of the IWC range. The IWC Pilot collection is truly the mark of quality, and would make a very good investment indeed.

Alpina Heritage Pilot Alpina pays homage to its close relationship with aeronautics via introducing the Heritage Pilot timekeeper. Taking great inspiration from original watch design from the late 20′s and 30′s, the Heritage Pilot holds true to the same four core principles that made Alpina big, anti-magnetism, water-resistance, anti-shock and stainless steel casing while providing a timeless understated aesthetic. However, in the inside you’ll find an updated hand-winding caliber AL-435 with a 42 hour power reserve and Cotes de Geneva decoration. View high resolution

Alpina Heritage Pilot

Alpina pays homage to its close relationship with aeronautics via introducing the Heritage Pilot timekeeper. Taking great inspiration from original watch design from the late 20′s and 30′s, the Heritage Pilot holds true to the same four core principles that made Alpina big, anti-magnetism, water-resistance, anti-shock and stainless steel casing while providing a timeless understated aesthetic. However, in the inside you’ll find an updated hand-winding caliber AL-435 with a 42 hour power reserve and Cotes de Geneva decoration.