IWC produces its first pilot’s watch Mark XX made of titanium in honour of the Patrouille Suisse flight team

IWC is no stranger to understated brilliance. The brand’s pilot’s watches are some of the most iconic of all time and have always been all about clarity and little pizzazz. Yet they are highly prized and look incredibly attractive on your wrist too.

Current offerings include the 43mm Big Pilot and the more affordable Mark XX pilot’s watch – the latest version of the Mark series. For the past two years, the Mark XX has always had a stainless steel case… until now. In honor of the Patrouille Suisse, the latest version of the Mark XX features a titanium case.

Background to the Mark series

The Mark series celebrated its 75th anniversary last year and was officially launched in 1948 at the request of the British Royal Air Force. Codenamed Mark 11, this new “navigator’s wristwatch” was intended to be worn by military pilots and was designed for good legibility, so it featured a simple, high-contrast dial that has characterized the rest of the models for over three-quarters of a century. It was not until the Mark XII in 1993 that these pieces became available to civilians. Before the Mark XX, which debuted in 2022, the last update was in 2016 with the Mark XVIII (there was no Mark XIX).

IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Patrouille Suisse Titanium Basics

This Mark XX titanium case is not the first pilot’s watch from IWC to use this material. Previously, the Swiss watchmaker has housed its Big Pilot and even previous Mark generations such as the Mark XII in titanium, which were made in collaboration with Saab. Titanium was mostly used for special models, as is now the case with the Mark XX.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, the Patrouille Suisse is the aerobatic team of the Swiss Air Force, which has been a partner of IWC since 1994. The case back of this watch features the official emblem of the Patrouille. The titanium used for the case, bezel, case back and crown has been blasted to a matt finish.

A subtle choice of colours

Rather than trying to find a dial color that complements the titanium case, IWC has opted for a slate gray sunburst dial that matches it perfectly. It is accented with cream-colored numerals, markers and hands – the latter are outlined in black like other Mark XX models. However, the tip of the seconds hand is colored red.

The watch is fitted with a black textile strap with a titanium buckle and otherwise has the same features as the standard steel Mark XX, including a case diameter of 40 mm, a thickness of 10.6 mm and an in-house movement. The IWC caliber 32111 is an automatic movement with a 120-day power reserve – one of the big updates when the Mark XX is launched in 2022.

Datasheet

Prices and availability

Limited to just 250 pieces, the Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Patrouille Suisse Titanium retails for $6,500 (about $1,250 more than the steel models). Visit IWC’s website to find out about the release.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Patrouille Suisse Titanium

In honor of the Swiss Air Force’s Patrouille Suisse aerobatic team, IWC has produced the very first titanium version of its Mark XX pilot’s watch.