Wristwatches · Wristwatch
IWC Mark XII, 1994
- Maker / attribution
- IWC (maker)
- Date
- 1994
- Historical period
- Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Dimensions
- Case 36 mm
- Stock no.
- IWC94MKXII-2
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (IWC94MKXII-2)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1994 IWC MARK XII W/ Box & Papers (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number IWC94MKXII-2), this is a wristwatch by IWC, made in Switzerland, dated 1994. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 36 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
The watch collecting world is familiar with the iconic and historically significant IWC Mk XI which was offered to military personnel and pilots from the years 1948 all the way through the 1980s. The IWC Mk XI has obtained the status as a real deal version of the classic pilot’s watch which has been a long-time favorite among collectors due to its simple design and military relevance. In 1993 IWC launched the Mk XII and made a few modern updates to one of the most classic and iconic military pilot watches ever produced. The first major difference and or upgrade between the IWC Mk XI and the IWC Mk XII was the addition of an automatically winding movement the IWC cal.884, which is based on the JLC 889/2 that includes a date complication that sits in a soft iron case to help repel issues related to magnetism. Additionally, modern functional and cosmetic changes included a sapphire crystal, a screw-down crown for extra water-resistance as well as a more modern and proportionate 36mm case that either came on an IWC mesh style bracelet and or strap. SPECS Stock # IIWC94MKXII-2 Brand IWC Style Pilots Watch Model Mk. XII Serial 261XXX Size Men's Material SS Dial Black Millimeters 36mm Bracelet IWC Stainless Steel Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The strong case appears to have been very lightly polished in the past, retaining excellent and very symmetrical lugs. The smooth stainless steel bezel shows mild signs of use and remains in excellent overall condition. The case retains its original IWC "fish logo" screw-down crown. The case back retains all of its factory engravings and has never been polished. The watch comes on its original IWC 2pc black leather strap which features its original IWC buckle. DIAL & HANDS The matte black dial with printed Arabic numerals is flawless, showing no imperfections. Both the tritium filled hands and markers on the dial have taken on an excellent warm ivory patina and are free from any lume degradation when inspected under U.V. Light ACCESSORIES
Historical context
Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Mechanical watches return as cultural objects; independent watchmaking flourishes.
Mechanical watches returned as cultural and luxury objects. Complications, tourbillons and new materials proliferated; independent watchmakers such as George Daniels, F.P. Journe and Philippe Dufour revived artisanal watchmaking; collecting vintage watches became a major field.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Quartz Revolution
Atlas type guide
Wristwatches
Bracelet watches were worn by women from the early nineteenth century — Breguet made one for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples, in 1810–12 — but the wristwatch only became a man's instrument with military use and aviation in the early twentieth century. Between the World Wars it overtook the pocket watch; the 1920s and 1930s brought rectangular Art Deco cases, water-resistant cases and the first automatic winding systems.
After 1945 the wristwatch became a carrier of identity — dress watches, sports and dive watches, chronographs, calendars — produced by Swiss, American, Japanese, German, Soviet and Chinese industries. The quartz revolution after 1969 and the mechanical renaissance since the 1990s, including the rise of independent watchmakers, complete the story.
What to look for
- The reference number (between the lugs or inside the case back) and serial number, the starting point for dating.
- The calibre: its maker and number are often stamped under the dial or on the bridge.
- Originality of dial, hands and crown — refinished ('redial') dials are common.
- Case material marks: 18K/750, 14K/585, stainless steel, gold-filled, plated.
Dating clues
- Wire-lug cases: before c. 1925.
- Water-resistant screw-down cases: from 1926.
- Quartz movements: from 1969; sapphire crystals widespread after c. 1980.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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