Is The IWC Mark XVIII The Right Watch For You?

As one of the world’s leading producers of custom rubber watch straps, Rubber B has cultivated a strong belief that, whenever possible, we should take the opportunity to educate people about not just watch straps, but the timepieces they are attached to as well. We sincerely believe that a more well-informed populace is a happier one, and to that end, we often like to examine specific timepieces and the brands that manufacture them, in closer detail – especially if it is a brand that we have not spent a lot of time discussing in our previous blog posts.

One of those brands is IWC, or the International Watch Company. Because our IWC Pilot’s Mark XVIII watch straps are one of our more popular products, Rubber B is specifically going to be looking at the IWC Mark XVIII, a watch with a pretty interesting history of its own, and we’ll examine the timepiece from both a technical and aesthetic standpoint. However, to begin with, we’ll be taking a closer look at the history of the company itself, and how they became known for their famed “Mark” series of timepieces in the first place.

What is the History of IWC?

Founded in 1868 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, by an American watchmaker and engineer named Florentine Ariosto Jones, IWC is one of the oldest Swiss watchmaking companies in the world. Though they have long been-known among watch collectors across the globe for their high-quality timepieces, they are not as well-known among the general public. This is in no way reflective of the quality of their product – if anything, it has more to do with their corporate philosophy and the way they see the world as a whole.

IWC, at its core, is passionate about two very specific things: the first is making world-class timepieces, and the second is making sure those watches are made in an environmentally sustainable fashion. In 2018, the World Wild Fund for Nature, or the WWF, closely examined the environmental practices of 15 of the world’s leading watchmakers. IWC received a rating of “Ambitious” and was ranked #1 in the organization’s list of most sustainable watchmakers.

What this means, practically speaking, is that the company spends far less money on expensive advertising campaigns and celebrity endorsements for its watches. This results in IWC being able to focus all of its attention on creating a great product while not harming the environment.

This attitude is very much in keeping with the ethics that the company had at the outset of its founding. Florentine Ariosto Jones was an American man who was passionate about efficiency and, after traveling to Switzerland in his youth, realized that he could combine Swiss craftsmanship with American manufacturing efficiency. He realized that by doing so, he could create a product that could compete with Rolex, and other Swiss manufacturers, in terms of quality while charging significantly less for his watches, thereby selling more of them (this will be relevant even in modern times, as you will see later in the article.)

What is the History of IWC’s “Mark” Watch Series?

The Mark series of watches is arguably one of IWC’s most popular watch lines, and it has a long and interesting history behind it. These watches were initially designed for pilots and were specifically crafted to be able to withstand the intense conditions of military flights. IWC was one of the first companies to design a timepiece that could be successfully used during air combat missions.

While the first version of this watch was released in 1936, the Mark XI, which was released in the 1950’s, was the timepiece that truly brought this line to prominence. The IWC Mark XVIII, which was launched at an IWC event in 2016, is a proud continuation of this legacy.

What Do You Need to Know About the IWC Mark XVIII From a Technical Standpoint?

The IWC Mark XVIII uses a 35111 Calibre, which is not an in-house caliber. However, that should not deter you from purchasing the watch, as this caliber is still very durable and able to withstand rigorous conditions. The caliber is automatic and self-winding and has a power reserve of 42 hours. It has a frequency of 28800.0 vph and is comprised of 163 components and 25 jewels.

The case for this timepiece is made from stainless steel and measures 40 mm, with a height of 11 mm. This ensures that the watch has heft and substance without feeling overly bulky, and these dimensions are very much in line with modern luxury activewear watches.

What Do You Need to Know About the IWC Mark XVIII From a Design Standpoint?

Aesthetically speaking, the IWC Mark XVIII looks like a more minimal version of its predecessor, which was itself a throwback to the pilot’s watches of the 1940’s and 50’s. With its stainless steel case and black strap, the timepiece is a master class in minimal design and sleekness.

The IWC Mark XVIII has an elegant black luminescent dial with clearly labeled Arabic numerals and a small but easily read date window. In short, the look of this watch manages to be effortlessly cool and polished without trying too hard.

Is Purchasing an IWC Mark XVIII Worth It?

If you are considering purchasing an IWC Mark XVIII, there are several reasons that this would be a good timepiece to own. For one thing, IWC watches depreciate at significantly less value than some of their peers (i.e. Rolex.) Also, and perhaps more importantly, this watch retails for significantly less than a Rolex. At $4,250, this is a fantastic entry-level luxury activewear watch and is a wonderful entry to the world of watch collecting in general.

Are You In Need of Watch Straps For Your IWC Mark XVIII?

If you are looking for watch straps for your IWC Mark XVIII timepiece, Rubber B has a wide variety of custom rubber watch bands to choose from in a plethora of colors and styles. We have watch straps for the IWC Mark XVIII and other IWC timepieces as well. For more information on our complete product catalog, simply visit our website today.