The Watch
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The Mk 11 was introduced into the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the British Fleet Air Arm in November 1949, and into the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) in August 1950.
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The RAF bought watches from both the International Watch Company (IWC) and Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC). But after having initially purchased about 2,000 from JLC in 1949, the RAF decided to buy only IWC from 1949 to 1953, when the last RAF orders were placed, totalling at least 7,400 IWC watches.
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The RAAF initially bought its Mk 11s from JLC; 420 in 1950 and 600 in 1953. It then changed to IWC in 1957, buying another 600.
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Little is known about the number of watches shipped to Air Forces of other Commonwealth countries like the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and South African Air Force (SAAF). Likewise the number of watches bought by civilian airlines is unknown.
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This example has the later Ministry of Defence (MoD) requested Dial, after they became aware of the potential health danger of the Radium-based luminous compound, which the first few versions had ,this led to the introduction of Tritium-based luminous material. From 1963 the use of Tritium is indicated by T on the dial, almost invariably the T is surrounded by a circle. The encircled T appeared only on RAF dial versions as the RAAF and RNZAF did not request it.
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The Specs
Age: c.1950.
Movement: Manual wind with Hacking Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 89.
Calibre: 89.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Unknown, fully inspected Nov 2026.
Dial: Original "Upgraded" Tritium Dial.
Dial: Original "Upgraded" Tritium Dial.
Case: Stainless Steel.
Measurements: without/with Crown: 36mm/39mm End to End: 46.5mm
Bezel: Solid.
Water Resistant?: No.
Hands: Original.
Crystal: Correct Style Acrylic Crystal.
Crystal: Correct Style Acrylic Crystal.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: On a new Khaki Military Style Strap with Steel Fixtures.
Lug Width: 18mm. Fixed Bars.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Issued to a Royal Air Force pilot, can you get any cooler?
- The Dial has developed a lovely colour throughout.
- 36mm Case.
-Hacking Seconds.
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Nitty Gritty:
- The Unpolished case has dings and marks throughout.
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Overall this IWC Pilot is in very nice condition.
The Dial is in very good condition.
Case has some marks and dings.
Caseback markings are in lovely order.
Original Crown.
Crystal is in good nick.
Original Hands are in lovely shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.