In the early part of the 20th century the first aircraft took to the skies. Keeping time was essential and the technology progressed in parallel with aviation and aerial navigation. Leading the development of the earliest navigation wristwatches were Professor Phillip Weems of the U.S Naval Academy and the “Second- setting” watch, and Charles Lindbergh and the “Hour Angle” model. These two models were the keystones that ultimately led to the vast array of aviation timepieces, among which are one of the most iconic collections; IWC’s Mark Series. The earliest aviators had to deal with vibrations, extreme temperatures, variable light conditions, and powerful magnetic fields. The first IWC watch designed for aviators back in 1936 was the Spezialuhr für Flieger (Special Pilot’s Watch) which has a black dial, high contrast luminous hands, and a rotating bezel to measure elapsed time accurately up to an hour. It was a hand-wound piece that was shock-resistant, and able to be adjusted at extreme temperatures. It was later named the Mark IX, its name colloquially taken from the next model classified by the British Ministry of Defence as the Mark X. Following suit was the Mark XI which is considered one of the finest military watches ever made, entering service in 1949, and built to allow RAF navigators during “dead reckoning” (calculating one’s position) operations. Each batch of watches was tested over 44-days, a 14-day “fitness” test and they had to be tested every year. With the Mark XII, the military-grade watch was transformed into a civilian one, a transformation that completed with the Mark XV in 1999 The next iteration, the Mark XVI, was updated to suit IWC’s unified look with the larger hands of the Big Pilot’s Watch which fit the larger watch better. This, amongst a whole host of changes, wasn’t received particularly well by the traditional Mark fans. Production ceased in 2012 after the introduction of the Mark XVII. From its birth till the present day, the Mark series has managed to become one of the most important timepieces in history.
*Prices are subject to change
IWC PILOT’S MARK XVIII
The “Laureus Sport for Good Foundation” is the 12th special edition IWC Schaffhausen launched to support the Laureus Foundation – a charitable organisation to use sport to drive social change in around 40 countries. Limited to 1500 numbered pieces, it is housed in black ceramic, has a midnight blue dial and luminescent black hands. The movement is protected against magnetic fields by a soft-iron inner case and the glass resists sudden pressure changes. On the titanium case back is the engraving of the drawing by 11-year-old Ana Claudia from Brazil – “Time to be healthy”
RS 1,277, 000*
REFERENCE: IW324703
CASIO EDIFICE EX224
The Edifice collection of watches is becoming quite the common
sight here, and for good reason – an absolute plethora of watches
ranging from downright tacky, to some gorgeous examples. This
example from the 500 series is one of the latter. Tastefully done
gold accents on a black ion-plated timepiece. Classy.
RS 33,100*
REFERENCE: EFR-543BK-1A9VUDF
TAG HEUER AUTAVIA CHRONO-FLYBACK
What’s special about this watch over your typical, as if there is such a thing, Tag Heuer? That would be its Flyback-chronometer, which means the chronometer doesn’t need to be stopped before resetting it which could be handy. All packaged in a luxurious black ceramic and 18ct red gold timepiece.
RS 1,300,000*
REFERENCE: CBE5150.FC8280
AVAILABLE AT COLOMBO JEWELLERY STORES
TISSOTT-BIKE TOUR DE FRANCE
The T-Race collection of watches is by no means new hat, but for fans of Lance Armstrong and the Tour De France, take a peek at this, Standout features include pushers that look like brake levers, engraved sprocket set on the case back as well as chain link impressions on the rear of the rubber strap.
RS 89,500*
REFERENCE: T1114173744100
AVAILABLE AT CCC GALLERIA