1999 IWC Pilot Mark XV Automatic IW325301
Ref: IW325301

Specification
Lugs : 19mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : None
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold as “Watch Only” and therefore without its original IWC box and IWC paperwork. The watch comes paired with its original 19mm IWC black buffalo leather strap with IWC signed deployment clasp. The watch is from Circa. 1999 and is sold in worn condition, with a few signs of wear, but overall very well looked after as you can see. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.
The Watch
Here we have a 1999 IWC Pilot Mark XV Automatic IW325301, the classic Mark XV was produced from 1999 until 2005, the Mark X line of watches can trace its heritage back to 1944 when it was issued to the military. The 38mm satin brushed stainless steel case curves over your wrist with a lug-to-lug length of 47mm and a case thickness of 9mm ensuring a comfortable fit on your wrist. On the right side, we have a signed "fish'' crown, used by IWC from the 1950s up to the 2000s, the Richmont Group in 2016 tried to register the fish logo but was refused by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property as they felt it was too close to the Christian Ichthys symbol, Richmont appealed the decision and it was overturned in 2018 and so the "fish'' logo will be seen going forward. The smooth bezel holds a slightly domed sapphire crystal above a matte black dial, an outer minute track is precisely executed with Tritium-coated batons and Arabic numeral indices marking the hours, at 3 o'clock a date window, at 12 o’clock we have the large triangle, slender sword hands coated in Tritium complemented by a teardrop counterweighted sweeping second hand. Printed at 12 o’clock we have the IWC motif and at 6 o’clock "Mark XV Automatic" completes this vintage-inspired pilot watch. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with IWC engraved into it, inside an automatic IWC Calibre 37524 which has a base of the ETA 2892-A2, 21 jewels 28,800 beats per hour, the movement is heavily modified by IWC. The watch comes fitted on its 19mm black IWC buffalo strap with a signed deployment clasp.
Personal Note
I often have conversations with collectors and when the subject of pilot watches come up I often hear the same thing, "They are just too big"... Welcome to your option! The Mark XV, is incredibly well proportioned at 38mm and would suit any size wrist perfectly. All the charm and functionality of a pilot's watch, but in a far more wearable case size for most, this is easily one of my all-time favourites!
The Brand
In 1867 Florentine applied for a European passport with the dream of creating watches using the American system of Watchmaking. This system was taken from the Federal Armories at Springfield and Harpers Ferry. Where armaments needed high-precision interchangeable parts. This was perfect to use in watchmaking and Florentine was a pioneer in introducing it to the Swiss. In 1868 Florentine and Charles Kidder ended up in Schaffhausen Switzerland. Originally called the company F. A Jones & Co which was later changed to IWC International Watch Company. In 1876 Florentine returned to the USA where he retired and sadly passed away in 1916. The spirit which he spent a lifetime perfecting carries on today in the modern IWC watches.