IWC Mk XV Fliegeruhr Automatik & comparison with other fliegers

[JOS2012]

Recently I seem to be leaning towards watches with vintage or conservative/classic designs like JLC Polaris, Nomos, GS hi-beat…
Today I collected another classic design, the IWC Mk XV.

The wrist shot after I collected the watch this afternoon…



The watch after cleaning up all the gunk followed by light polishing and buffing..
Being a watch that was produced between 1999-2005, its bound to have light scratches and swirl marks but no major dents/kinks/pitting was found.
The hands & dial were however in perfect condition. Quite a number of Mk XVs have pitted or tarnished hands, must have been due to the waterproofing being compromised-perhaps no servicing to replace the gaskets.

Will update pics after another round of buffing this weekend..












I used to have a Mk XVI but as you know, that adopted the WWII Luftwaffe pilot design whereas the Mk XV followed the British MOD military issue e.g. the JLC powered Mk XI from the 1950's.

Since I already have a few watches with the Luftwaffe pilot design, I decided to look for a Mk XV instead.

To see the main difference between the British MOD and the German WWII Luftwaffe design, notice the hands followed by the numeral fonts from the pics of the other following flieger watches

my previous Mk XVI


IWC Top Gun ceramic-modern pilot watch


GO Navigator Perpetual Calendar


Erhard Junghans Aerious flieger chrono with Seiko 6S37 column wheel chrono caliber


Archimede Pilot Original Ltd Edition with Junghans J87 in-house vintage calibre


Until sidestreaker's last post, I'd totally forgotten abt the Damasko DK-10 with the in-house A35-1 movt with silicium escapement.. a fantastic timekeeper to date


added in today...

[enkil]

Beautiful   

[dualcarb]

When pilot watches are mentioned, IWC automatically comes to mind. IMHO, it is the quintessential pilots' watch...thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures...congrats on your new acquisition...Since I sold off the 3717...something has always been buggering me that I want another pilots' watch in my possession. The Mark XVII comes to mind. Still thinking about it...

DC

[JOS2012]

U r welcome, DC.
Well abt pilot watches, I like both IWC and GO but GO usually wins coz of the excellent and beautiful in-house caliber, pricing and finishing. IWC designs are however very attractive. After all IWC is on the German side of Switzerland so they share the same teutonic roots. Of coz if only Lange had continued making fliegers as in 1940...I'm sure that would make me have sleepless nights..
U sold your 3717 coz u wanted a simpler n smaller watch... the XV is perfect and inexpensive  . Try it out.

When pilot watches are mentioned, IWC automatically comes to mind. IMHO, it is the quintessential pilots' watch...thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures...congrats on your new acquisition...Since I sold off the 3717...something has always been buggering me that I want another pilots' watch in my possession. The Mark XVII comes to mind. Still thinking about it...

DC

thank you, enkil..

Beautiful   

[dualcarb]

Good idea JOS...I would jump onto the bandwagon if I can find a XV as pristine as yours...let me go out and do a little hunting today or tomorrow... ))

DC

U r welcome, DC.
Well abt pilot watches, I like both IWC and GO but GO usually wins coz of the excellent in-house caliber, pricing and finishing. IWC designs are however very attractive. After all IWC is on the German side of Switzerland so they share the same teutonic roots. Of coz if only Lange had continued making fliegers as in 1940...I'm sure that would make me have sleepless nights..
U sold your 3717 coz u wanted a simpler n smaller watch... the XV is perfect and inexpensive  . Try it out.

[Aero100]

Erhard Junghans Aerious flieger chrono with Seiko 6S37 column wheel chrono caliber <--- may i know where you got this? how much u got this? 

[JOS2012]

WWII BV II
RRP RM 18+K
bought during promotion RM[ mod : do not discuss discounted price ]

Erhard Junghans Aerious flieger chrono with Seiko 6S37 column wheel chrono caliber <--- may i know where you got this? how much u got this? 

[sidestreaker]

Nice pictures and thanks for the review!

To me personally, a pilot watch HAS to have all the pilot watch quality, construction which is anti-magnetic and can deal with air-pressure drop and perfect legibility at a quick glance! IWC and Damasko comes into mind, amongst few other manufacturer. In reality of course, current pilots uses digital watch, but being an enthusiast of traditional mechanical watches, I tend to be a purist when it comes to evaluating pilot watches. It is essentially a tool watch and should be treated as such, hence the source of calibre is secondary IMO. A bit of tradition or history is a bonus of course, especially from a manufacturer with that tradition.

With all above, the Mark XV is perhaps one of the most important watch not only for IWC but in the realm of pilot watches. It is simple, seriously elegant and no non-sense!

This is a keeper, JOS! But if you ever choose to let it go, there won't be a shortage of buyers out there, me included!

[JeepWH]

Great pictures and thanks for the review. Looks great although pilot watches are not my cup of tea.

[alucard1]

Nice pictures and IWC is always my favourite pilot watch brand

[G.MAC]

I too am of the view that when it comes to pilot's watch, my mind drifts towards IWC. But because of my lack of knowledge of history, the quintessential pilot's watch for me is the IWC Big Pilot. Maybe just my perverted view though. 



My 5002 says hi!

[JOS2012]

IMHO the 5002 being more utilitarian and military-like is a closer reflection of the WWII fliegers compared to the newer 5004. Many WIS I know prefer the 5002

[Chipi]

IWC & Oris .... top on my list for the brand to own ....
Sigh.... to beautiful .....