We do not know whether it is the same for others, but for us personally the term “pilot’s watch” automatically brings “IWC” to mind. Perhaps the reason for this lies in the fact that IWC are known mainly for the production of pilot’s watches, or perhaps because the brand developed its production especially during the Second World War, but most likely the main role in this was played by the fact that the brand supplied its products to both sides of the conflict. And both during the war and after it, the countries involved in the conflict were already very familiar with the quality of the brand, which gave it several important trump cards in the race for the customer – recognition, image, reputation.

It all began back in 1936 with the launch of the famous Mark IX – which can confidently be described as the forefather of the IWC pilot’s series, and why not of pilot’s watches in general.

Most pilot’s watches produced are not chronographs and function solely thanks to the IWC Caliber 83 for a period of 12 years – until 1948 inclusive (Mark IX and X), IWC Caliber 89 until 1984 (Mark XI), when the brand decided to stop production until 1993. In 1993, the Mark XII made its debut, now with a JLC Caliber “living” inside it.

The Mark XV began its life in 1999, already with the help of the more widespread ETA 2892A2, while the Mark XVI has been in production since 2006, using the brand’s in-house IWC 30110 calibre. In many sources, there are suspicions that this is actually a modified ETA 2892.

IWC Mark XVIII Le Petit Prince IW327010

The watch presented today is the IWC Pilot Mark XVIII, first launched in 2016, and it is a special version of the model, continuing the successful series of models dedicated to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It is well known that he had a military aviation career, but he owes his fame to his literary work. Undoubtedly, his most popular work is “The Little Prince”, and today’s model is dedicated precisely to this masterpiece of his.

The differences compared with the regular Mark XVIII are several, but significant: a white date, polished hands, polished bezel and, of course, a deep blue dial with sunburst guilloché. And, of course, the caseback, where the Little Prince himself is proudly placed. When we bought the watch, we expected it to be an elegant model with a refined presence. We thought that on the wrist it would sit elegantly and unobtrusively. After we put it on, however, this whole theory fell apart completely...

The legibility of the watch is among the best of all the watches we have owned and that have passed through our hands. The colours of the dial are very elegant – blue and white – and nothing disturbs this purity.

The luminescence is not as strong as, for example, on an Omega PO, but it allows readability throughout the night. So far, we have had no problems with the legibility of the dial. The large Arabic numerals are proverbial, and combined with the hands, which are shaped like an aircraft propeller, they manage to achieve a truly unique composition.

The case size is 40 mm, and with this the manufacturer shows the new trends in watchmaking by reducing the size compared with the previous version.

At the heart of the watch beats the IWC 35111, or in other words the Sellita SW300-1 (25 jewels, 163 parts, 42-hour power reserve), which means that the movement is proven, reliable and easy both to service and use, as well as to repair. It is also unnecessary to say that this is a more special Sellita – produced especially for IWC and modified by them.