The IWC Mark watches are straightforward timepieces with an aviation concept. They generally have a modest size, are reasonably priced, and are available in almost any colour, as long as it’s black, blue, or white. They’ve had a lengthy run over the years, and now they’re back with the Mark XX after holding off on the Mark XVIII since its introduction in 2016.
The main focus here is the new movement, which has been installed on a Mark series watch for the first time. It has seen very minimal change to the dial and provides an amazing improvement in terms of raw metrics.
This watch is powered by the IWC calibre 32111 that has 120 power reserve on a full wind. The diameter is still 40mm, which is still a fantastic footprint for a pilot’s watch of this type, but the XX is only slightly smaller than the previous model, measuring 10.8mm as opposed to 11mm.
The dial has undergone aesthetic improvements. The majority of these changes are modest, but when taken as a whole, they make the watch feel more modern and like the slow-evolving creation that it unquestionably is.
Located near the 12:00 hour mark, the IWC logo has been shifted up toward the top of the dial. Along with that change, the markers at the cardinal points are now rectangular rather than square, and the numerals marking the hours around the dial’s perimeter have been moved very slightly toward the centre.
The main issue with the previous model, XVIII, is that the window date was located too near to the printed parts around it, but now, the date window of the new model looks to be more in accordance with the Arabic numbers. Additionally, the date window now has a white backdrop that contrasts with the white dial indications.
The water resistance has been increased from 60m to a full 100m, which feels like a more significant upgrade and might significantly alter its utility for some wearers who could be more likely to get it wet.
It still comes mounted to the familiar pilot style leather strap IWC is known for, with no bracelet option at this time. Black and blue dial options are on offer. For more information about the IWC collection, visit The Time Place boutique.
