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 retains the very seldom seen first version Dial, nicknamed the "White 12", these are so rarely seen that collectors once believed them to be a myth! The first version, introduced in 1949, 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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As these Watches were such expensive and important tools for the pilots, the Air Ministry were very thorough in getting these Watches back for the upgraded Dial. Obviously a few escaped this but the number is ridiculously low and this represents a very uncommon opportunity for the serious collector.
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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
The Specs
Age: c.1951
Movement: Manual wind with Hacking Centre Seconds.
Calibre: 89.
Timekeeping: Very good.
Service History: Fully Serviced by John Senior, Feb 2026.
Dial: Original IWC First Version White 12 Radium Dial.
Dial: Original IWC First Version White 12 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. Fitted during Service.
Crystal: Correct Style Acrylic Crystal. Fitted during Service.
Crown: Correct Original unsigned Crown.
Strap/Bracelet: On a used Original 18mm British Military Strap. Probably circa 1980.
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?
- Original First Version Radium Dial. The Dial has developed a lovely texture throughout.
- 36mm Unpolished Case.
-Genuine British Military Strap.
-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 untouched condition.
The Dial is in good condition, it has developed a lovely texture throughout.
Case is unpolished with plenty of marks and dings.
Caseback markings are in lovely order.
Original Crown.
Crystal was replaced during service.
Original Hands are in lovely shape.
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Photographed on a 7in Wrist.