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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The first version, introduced in 1949, (which we have here) had all numbers from 1 to 12 printed on the dial, it also had 4 rectangular luminous markers at 3, 6, 9 and 12. The 12 was additionally marked by 2 dots next to the rectangle. The hands were long and narrow. But the original dial proved to be difficult to read under unfavourable light conditions, so in 1952 the design was changed "to improve clarity of presentation" to the dial known today: the luminous triangle at 12 o'clock replaced the figure '12' and a shorter, thicker, hour hand was introduced.
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Later the Ministry of Defence (MoD) became aware of the potential health danger of the Radium-based luminous compound and this lead 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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Most of the above information taken from "Man is not Lost" by Matthias Christian, Thomas Koenig and Greg Steer. You can view and read this excellent article: here
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As mentioned above only 600 IWC Mark 11's were delivered to the RAAF in 1957. It is unknown how many of these have survived. I believe a lot of Radium Dialled Military Watches were destroyed, so this represents a great opportunity for the serious collector.
The Specs
Age: c.1957
Movement: Manual wind with Hacking Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 89.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Fully Serviced 2026.
Dial: Original IWC Second Version Radium Dial.
Dial: Original IWC Second Version Radium 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. Possibly Original.
Crystal: Correct Style Acrylic Crystal. Possibly Original.
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 RAAF pilot, can you get any cooler?
- Original Second Version Radium Dial. The Dial has developed a lovely patina throughout.
- 1 of only 600 IWC MK11's delivered to the RAAF.
-Hacking Seconds.
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Nitty Gritty:
- Case has been polished.
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Overall this IWC Pilot is in nice condition.
The Dial is in good condition, it has developed a lovely patina throughout.
Case has been polished. It retains fairly strong lugs. The Bezel is rounded.
Caseback markings are in good order.
Original Crown.
Crystal in good nick.
Original Hands are in lovely shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.