IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XV, c. late 1990s — view 1 of 6 — View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

View 1 of 6 · Image: Analog/Shift · original image source (opens another website in a new tab)

Wristwatches · Wristwatch

IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XV, c. late 1990s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.

Maker / attribution: IWC (maker)
Date: c. late 1990s
Historical period: Mechanical Renaissance (1990 – 2010)
Country of origin: Switzerland
Object type: Wristwatch
Dimensions: Case 38 mm
Dealer: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York
Stock no.: 409700004490
Credit line: Dealer listing, Analog/Shift (409700004490)
Catalogue title (original): IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XV (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (stock number 409700004490), this is a wristwatch by IWC, made in Switzerland, dated c. late 1990s. The Atlas places it in the Mechanical Renaissance period (1990 – 2010) of its Wristwatches collection. Recorded dimensions: Case 38 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 — Analog/Shift

The IWC Pilot's Watch can trace its history back to the oversized timepieces produced for military aviators in 1940. These enormous pieces were originally designed for maximum legibility in a cockpit setting, and — believe it or not — were meant to be worn on the pilot's thigh! Today, the Pilot's line is perhaps IWC's most identifiable collection, featuring a variety of case and dial configurations suited for any taste — provided your wrist can handle the larger-than-average dimensions. If not, that’s where the Mark series comes in. These watches are contemporary takes on the original Mark X and Mark XI watches from the 1940s. This particular watch, a Pilot's Watch MARK XV, dates to circa the late 1990s - early 2000s and features a 38mm brushed stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, and a brushed bezel. It houses a luminous matte black dial with printed white ‘Arabic’ indices, a matching handset, and IWC's Calibre 30110 (ETA 2892-A2 base) with 21 jewels and a 41-hour power reserve within. Paired to a fantastic stainless steel mesh bracelet with a signed deployant clasp, this piece is the essence of a Pilot's watch. With excellent legibility, handsome looks, and utilitarian, military influence, it’s no surprise that the Mark series has become a cornerstone of the IWC collection. This one is no different.

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 timeline More wristwatches from this period Earlier: Quartz Revolution

Atlas type guide

Military, pilot and travel watches

The wristwatch owes much of its adoption by men to warfare and aviation. Wristlets — small pocket watches soldered with lugs and worn on a strap — were used in colonial campaigns and became standard equipment in the First World War, with protective grilles over the crystal ('shrapnel guards'). Louis Cartier's Santos (1904), designed for the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, is often cited as an early purpose-made pilot's watch.

In the Second World War governments specified watches in detail: the German B-Uhr observation watches, the American A-11, and the British 'W.W.W.' (the 'Dirty Dozen' set of 1945). After the war, jet travel brought GMT and world-time watches, which show two or more time zones at once — Louis Cottier's world-time mechanism and the Rolex GMT-Master (1955) are examples.

What to look for

Military markings on the case back: broad arrow, issue numbers, 'W.W.W.', 'A.T.P.'
High-legibility black dials with luminous Arabic numerals; oversized crowns for gloved hands.
24-hour hands and rotating 24-hour bezels or city rings on GMT/world-time watches.
Wire lugs on early wristlets converted from pocket watches.

Dating clues

Wire-lug wristlets: c. 1900–1925.
Military specifications of the Second World War: 1939–1945.
GMT and world-time wristwatches: mainly after 1950.

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.

Mechanisms mentioned

Jewel bearings — Component
Power reserve indicator — Complication

Record completeness

Maker or attributionRecorded
DateRecorded
Place or countryRecorded
MaterialsNot in source
DimensionsRecorded
Narrative descriptionRecorded
Inscriptions / marksNot in source
ProvenanceNot in source
Several photographsRecorded

Editorial status: Documented — facts as published by the source; not independently verified by Atlas editors.

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Sources & image rights

Record source: Analog/Shift (dealer), New York (opens another website in a new tab).

Image rights: © Analog/Shift — dealer photographs; permission required (opens another website in a new tab).

Images are hosted by the Atlas for study and credited to their owner. Rights holders may request correction, credit changes or removal, or grant permission, via the editorial office.

Cite this record

"IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XV, c. late 1990s." Analog/Shift (dealer), New York, 409700004490. Catalogue record in The Horology Atlas, WatchMuseum.org, https://atlas.watchmuseum.org/museum/iwc-pilot-s-watch-mark-xv-3bcc5a.