IWC mark XVI

[keltzar]

the most popular mk XVI is the standard one (black dial). The variations such as chronos or the spitfire are not as collectible. That's why the spitfire one at JW has been there quite a while now.

The standard black dial one follows in the tradition of the mk XV (there is one on yahoo auctions), mk XII (very collectible and many fakes), and the very collectible mk X.

[jazz_samz]

Bro IWCBigpilot.. Yup... a beauty ain't it??

[IwcBigPilot]

Bro IWCBigpilot.. Yup... a beauty ain't it??

ya,very nice,is my dream watch,too bad cannot find a brand new 1

[jazz_samz]

hobbylink have a 2nd hand pc mah...

[Oceanklassik]

Views on Mark XVI

Hi,

Like to ask if it is wise/worthy to buy a IWC Mark XVI watch. Read that IWC(or at least for its Mark XVI) actually uses ETA movement? It has been very difficult to obtain this watch here in Singapore. Please advise.

Thanks.

[decksurgeon]

Hi,

Like to ask if it is wise/worthy to buy a IWC Mark XVI watch. Read that IWC(or at least for its Mark XVI) actually uses ETA movement? It has been very difficult to obtain this watch here in Singapore. Please advise.

Thanks.

the question is basically one that you must answer yourself!
do you like the watch enough to want to purchase it?
do you buy watches based on investment residual value or are you truly an enthusiast? et cetera.......
so many questions that make watch buying fun!
and the hunt for it is another story altogether

as for all the technnical stuff that has some influence on your decision, perhaps i can afford you some general insight to the matter:

(1) In house vs non-in house
this debate you will find on every watch forum in the world.
in the big picture, use of ETA bases is economical for the manufacturers that utilize them. the R&D cost of a new moevment is massive and this will be translated to large end user cost. if it works, is reliable - then why not use all contractor supplied base ébauche?

from the other perspective, why does ETA want to cut the supply of these movements to non-Swatch group companies?
simple economics; the development cost of the ETA movement is a fixed cost item. the cost is borne by Swatch group, so if you are the swatch boss. why should you sell it outside the group. the buyers who modify base ébauches dont have this large fixed cost for R&D in their equation.


(2) When is an ETA not an ETA?
there is no hard and fast rule in the industry on when a base movement is no base anymore or how much modification must be made to it.
the end point is yours to decide - does the product stands up to what it claimed?
if i may present u another example: patek ref. 5070 chrono with a heaviliy modified lemania movement. u pay the price of a small fortune for this - yet it is not entirely in house. its up to the buyer to decide this factor.


(3) So how modified is the ETA in the Mark16 Cal. 30110?
To cut a long answer short. substantially modified like all their other calibers from non-in-house source for a prestige company (like IWC).
the factory wont actually tell you what exactly they buy from ETA or not.
maybe just the base plate ébauche? and IWC put everything else in??
but from the pictures on the web. there is finish applied to the movement for starters and you wont find a straight ETA shoved into your Mk16 for sure.

the assembly and QC is tight to IWC high standards.
(but do not be too overly enthusiastic and expect blue screws or a free sprung balance for this price range. however, for certain IWC ETA 7750-base there are models with blued screw even on closed caseback watches! the attention to detail is important - comes with cost tho!)
you may wish to view some pictures of the complexity of the assembly and the precision that IWC impose on the construction of the cal 30110.

There is a technical doc released in 2006 outlining that some winder rotor bearings issues were oiled incorrectly and causes jamming of the rotor. this is know by IWC and the bearing will be replaced by the company.





good luck with the hunt and may you enjoy the IWC mk16 in good health.
it is a fabulous watch to own.

regards

[Oceanklassik]

Superb explanation! Thanks much!!

[decksurgeon]

Superb explanation! Thanks much!!

most welcome

[Taurus75]

very informative explanation by decksurgeon, especially the pictorial illustration

Hi,

Like to ask if it is wise/worthy to buy a IWC Mark XVI watch. Read that IWC(or at least for its Mark XVI) actually uses ETA movement? It has been very difficult to obtain this watch here in Singapore. Please advise.

Thanks.

I personally think the IWC Mark XVI pilot watch is really a nice watch.. simplicity at its best if I would rate it, design wise. It is really a smaller variation of the more popular Big Pilot series by IWC, albeit no in-house movt and lack of 7 days power reserve, but IMO it in its own right is a classic watch. As u had mentioned, it is also a little more exclusive in local ADs so u may wanna try overseas dealer if u are open to this option. Try www.collectorstime.com, it is a KL-based dealer that have considerable good references under the name "Zeetan" in watchnet. Happy hunting

[Oceanklassik]

Ok ok.. So its worth to buy n own one wif te price range betwn 3k-4k. Thks!

[decksurgeon]

sorry i double posted the same pic above twice.
tried to edit but it hangs ???

here is the technik for the back

[Oceanklassik]

Then how much discount r our local ADs giving for IWC watches? Wat abt Mark16?

Thanks.

[Oceanklassik]

Anyone? Or shld i ask in Lobang thread?

[DM101]

Anyone? Or shld i ask in Lobang thread?

Anyone knows how much the MARK 16 (new) pricie is? Is it cheaper to get in KL?

[Oceanklassik]

Anyone knows how much the MARK 16 (new) pricie is? Is it cheaper to get in KL?

Last check with THG few days ago was $5.6k and no stock! If stock comes in, then can get at a 20% discount. KL price, I'm nt sure.