IWC Mark XI British Military Issued Ref 6B/346, 1951

Dealer description — Bulang & Sons

Launched in 1948 as a collaboration between IWC and JLC, the Mark XI was crafted to meet British Ministry of Defense (MoD) specifications, producing timeless classics with similar styles. While JLC discontinued production in 1953, IWC continued until the Mark XI's decommissioning in the early 1980s. Adhering to MoD standards, the Mark XI featured a broad arrow designation on the dial, movement, and case, signifying government property. The 1951 model introduces the legendary manually wound caliber 89, renowned for its reliability in ensuring accuracy for British pilots during their missions. This example has a lovely condition 36mm steel case. The screw down case back features the engravings of the broad arrow, 6B/ 346 plus issue numbers, dating this watch to 1951. The watch houses a black dial in excellent condition with tritium painted Arabic hours and tritium hands, which were later replacements, requested by the MOD and IWC following the end of radium usage on watches:As lume standards changed over the years, so did the Mark XI. Close to all original Mark XI dials were relumed as per the Ministry of defense . Around 1962, the same time most watch companies switched from radium to tritium luminescent material, the RAF required that there was a "T" in a circle on the dial to show that the lume was made of tritium. This is the same "T" found on British military-issued Rolex Submariners (known as MilSubs), as well as some British military-issued Omega Seamaster 300's. The watch comes on the pictured Single Pass strap, due to the fixed lug bars. The IWC calibre 89 movement has been fully checked and regulated by our watchmaker. Military watches have always been of special interest to us, and we love to share them with all you watch lovers ! Come and visit us at our lounge or arrange a call to discuss this watch more. Specifications: - IWC Mark XI reference 6B/346 - 36mm steel case with fixed lugs - Military case back engraving , issued to the - Dates to 1951 - Black dial with Circle T and Broad Arrow markings - IWC calibre 89 movement - Movement serial 2121xxxx dating to 1951 - Comes on the pictured Single Pass strap - Fully checked by our watchmaker - One-year mechanical warrantee - Includes a handmade leather watch pouch