4 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 22, 2011
I've just inherited an IWC MK XI from my grandfather and am hoping to find out a bit more about it. Any responses much appreciated!
Most importantly, I wanted to check whether the radium paint on the hands is dangerous (I will only wear rarely).
Secondly, is there any way of finding out more of the history of the watch? The serial number is 774/50 (which I presume means it is watch number 774 from 1950).backpicture The back also shows the quality stamp 6B/346 and an arrow stamp.
The front shows the circled T, the arrow and the words: International Watch Co frontpicture
Apologies for the terrible photos.
Thirdly, where can I buy an IWC strap?
and finally, I'm hoping to get the watch serviced - does anyone know how much this would roughly cost and who would be able to do it?
1,908 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 4, 2001
laurence Wrote:I've just inherited an IWC MK XI from my grandfather and am hoping to find out a bit more about it. Any responses much appreciated!
Most importantly, I wanted to check whether the radium paint on the hands is dangerous (I will only wear rarely).
Secondly, is there any way of finding out more of the history of the watch? The serial number is 774/50 (which I presume means it is watch number 774 from 1950).backpicture The back also shows the quality stamp 6B/346 and an arrow stamp.
The front shows the circled T, the arrow and the words: International Watch Co frontpicture
Apologies for the terrible photos.
Thirdly, where can I buy an IWC strap?
and finally, I'm hoping to get the watch serviced - does anyone know how much this would roughly cost and who would be able to do it?
many thanks if you can help,
Laurence
Hi Laurence, Congratulations. It appears to be a RAF Mark11, in spite of the terrible pictures, :) Even I can take better pictures than that. :)) Can you tell us the story of that Mark11? Was your grand-father an RAF pilot? If, affirmative, what did he fly and when? You do not have to worry about radiation. The RAF changed to Tritium for night luminosity in the early 60s, hence the T inside the circle. But even if yours had escaped the change, which it didn't, the radiation emitted by the 226Radium in the paint would be negligible. My suggestion is to send your Mark11 to Schaffhausen for the Certificate of Genuineness, movement overhaul, and for an IWC strap and buckle. My suggestion is that you request the case is not polished, or change or restore the dial, or the hands. The Mark 11 must show her age, imho. Look forward to better images of your Mark11.
803 Discussions and CommentsMember since Feb. 9, 2007
Welcome here. A very nice inheritance!
I'd be cautious about sending it to Schauffhausen for a service, UNLESS you very specifically tell them NOT to change the dial and hands or polish the case; a watch with this provenance deserves to keep it's wabi and a new dial/hands will ruin the watch (IMO). Where are you located? A decent watchmaker could easily service this in your home country (give me a shout if you're in the UK). It is possible to order a leather strap with open ends via your AD, I forget the part number but a search of the archives may well pay dividends. A reasonable alternative would be a "NATO" band, or for real authenticity, a Bonkilp bracelet (looks terrible IMO but it's what the watch would have come with originally). A well known auction site will yield one of these.
Enjoy wearing it and if I may be cheeky, please find the macro button on your camera and treat us to some more photos!
4 Discussions and CommentsMember since Jan. 22, 2011
Ross Wrote:Welcome here. A very nice inheritance!
I'd be cautious about sending it to Schauffhausen for a service, UNLESS you very specifically tell them NOT to change the dial and hands or polish the case; a watch with this provenance deserves to keep it's wabi and a new dial/hands will ruin the watch (IMO). Where are you located? A decent watchmaker could easily service this in your home country (give me a shout if you're in the UK). It is possible to order a leather strap with open ends via your AD, I forget the part number but a search of the archives may well pay dividends. A reasonable alternative would be a "NATO" band, or for real authenticity, a Bonkilp bracelet (looks terrible IMO but it's what the watch would have come with originally). A well known auction site will yield one of these.
Enjoy wearing it and if I may be cheeky, please find the macro button on your camera and treat us to some more photos!
Hello all,
many thanks for your replies - very useful. I should have said, I'm in London so any recommendations on who could give this a service would be most welcome.
As to the history my grandfather was an engineer not in th RAF and I understand he bought it in the 60's or 70's after he had retired - somply because of his love of watches. So no romantic history I'm afraid.
I promise to take some proper pictures soon (theose were taken using a webcam, sorry)
Most importantly, I wanted to check whether the radium paint on the hands is dangerous (I will only wear rarely).
Secondly, is there any way of finding out more of the history of the watch? The serial number is 774/50 (which I presume means it is watch number 774 from 1950).backpicture
The back also shows the quality stamp 6B/346 and an arrow stamp.
The front shows the circled T, the arrow and the words: International Watch Co
frontpicture
Apologies for the terrible photos.
Thirdly, where can I buy an IWC strap?
and finally, I'm hoping to get the watch serviced - does anyone know how much this would roughly cost and who would be able to do it?
many thanks if you can help,
Laurence
Hi Laurence,
Congratulations. It appears to be a RAF Mark11, in spite of the terrible pictures, :) Even I can take better pictures than that. :))
Can you tell us the story of that Mark11? Was your grand-father an RAF pilot? If, affirmative, what did he fly and when?
You do not have to worry about radiation. The RAF changed to Tritium for night luminosity in the early 60s, hence the T inside the circle. But even if yours had escaped the change, which it didn't, the radiation emitted by the 226Radium in the paint would be negligible.
My suggestion is to send your Mark11 to Schaffhausen for the Certificate of Genuineness, movement overhaul, and for an IWC strap and buckle. My suggestion is that you request the case is not polished, or change or restore the dial, or the hands. The Mark 11 must show her age, imho.
Look forward to better images of your Mark11.
clepsydra
ad fontes...
Last edited: 30 October, 2011 - 22:05
Congratulations on the RAF Mark XI. Endorsing what Clepsydra said, I would send this to Schaffhausen.
All the best,
Justin
I'd be cautious about sending it to Schauffhausen for a service, UNLESS you very specifically tell them NOT to change the dial and hands or polish the case; a watch with this provenance deserves to keep it's wabi and a new dial/hands will ruin the watch (IMO).
Where are you located? A decent watchmaker could easily service this in your home country (give me a shout if you're in the UK).
It is possible to order a leather strap with open ends via your AD, I forget the part number but a search of the archives may well pay dividends. A reasonable alternative would be a "NATO" band, or for real authenticity, a Bonkilp bracelet (looks terrible IMO but it's what the watch would have come with originally). A well known auction site will yield one of these.
Enjoy wearing it and if I may be cheeky, please find the macro button on your camera and treat us to some more photos!
ross (at) baverstock (dot) me (dot) uk
Hello all,
many thanks for your replies - very useful. I should have said, I'm in London so any recommendations on who could give this a service would be most welcome.
As to the history my grandfather was an engineer not in th RAF and I understand he bought it in the 60's or 70's after he had retired - somply because of his love of watches. So no romantic history I'm afraid.
I promise to take some proper pictures soon (theose were taken using a webcam, sorry)
I will have a look at the archives now ...
Laurence
sorry - I can't seem to find where the archives are - I assumed there was a link on this website.
any help much appreciated
thanks
Laurence
sorry - I can't seem to find where the archives are - I assumed there was a link on this website.
any help much appreciated
thanks
Just look at the bottom of the first page after signing in.
Hi, thanks for your help - but sorry - I still can't see the archive link.
sorry to be a pain,
Laurence