One of the Most Iconic Pilot’s Watches Just Got a Major Update

IWC just put out the best version of the Mark XX, well, ever.

Published August 23, 2024

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The Flieger watch, particularly the cleaner Type A style, is arguably the most recognizable and iconic pilot’s watch there is. Although several brands produce their own interpretation of the WWII style, no company is more associated with the Flieger than IWC Schaffhausen.

The luxury watchmaker has several high-end versions of the Flieger in its Pilot’s Watch line, including the Big Pilot’s and the Pilot’s Chronograph, but the flagship of the series is arguably IWC’s Mark series of pilot watches.

Oh, hi Mark

iwc pilot watch in a white room — The Mark XX is arguably both IWC’s best everyday watch and the best Flieger-style pilot’s watch you can buy.

The IWC Mark originated with the mil-spec Mark XI created for the British Royal Air Force in 1948, with the civilian version debuting in 1994 with the Mark XII. The current iteration is the Mark XX, which is widely considered the most versatile everyday watch in IWC’s lineup.

Introduced in 2022, the Mark XX was the first in the series to house an in-house automatic movement from IWC (complete with a five-day power reserve). It also boasts an imminently wearable 40mm case size that’s thinner and shorter than its predecessors, has a robust water resistance of 100m and is available with one of the best bracelets in the luxury watch biz; all for a smidge over $5,000.

The Mark XX is about as good as it gets for a modern pilot’s watch, but wouldn’t you know it, IWC just went and made it even better.

The Best Everyday Pilot’s Watch

the dial on an iwc pilot watch — In addition to the titanium case, the new Mark XX’s sunburst gray dial and red-tipped seconds hand make it one helluva looker.

IWC has quietly debuted a new version of the Mark XX that, for the first time ever, features a titanium case. In addition to the lightweight case material — which should be considered a premium upgrade over the standard stainless steel — the watch comes in a hair thinner than the steel version at 10.6mm thick (the steel is 10.8mm).

The new Mark XX also features a beautiful sunburst gray dial and introduces a red-tipped seconds hand for a slight touch of color. The watch is fitted to a black textile strap with a titanium pin buckle to match the case and is equipped with IWC’s EasX-CHANGE system for quick strap swaps.

Other specs remain unchanged from the standard steel Mark XX: the 100m water resistance, Cal. 32111 movement, and dual-side-AR-coated sapphire crystal that’s secured against popping off from a drop in air pressure all remain.

A Rare High Flyer

the caseback of an iwc watch — The watch is extremely limited as it’s a special edition honoring a Swiss Air Force aerobatics team.

The new IWC Type XX is priced at a premium over the standard stainless steel version with an SRP of $6,500. The regular steel Mark XX on a leather strap, by contrast, goes for $5,250. Still, this new Mark XX remains one of the most affordable IWCs you can get, and I think it is quite compelling for the price.

The bad news is that the watch is extremely limited. Much to my chagrin, the titanium Mark XX is not a permanent model in IWC’s catalog. Instead, the watch is a special edition celebrating the Patrouille Suisse, an aerobatic Swiss Air Force team that marked its 60th anniversary earlier this month. The watch features an engraved caseback paying tribute to the team, and just 250 examples of the watch are being produced in total.

The minuscule production numbers are disappointing, but I have a hunch we’ll see a non-limited titanium Mark XX in the not-too-distant future. After all, IWC already put the money and effort into developing the titanium case, so are we really going to see that only put to use in a 250-run special edition? Maybe … but I seriously doubt it.