3 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 23, 2012
My grandfather passed away years ago and I collected a lot of the watches he had since I like collecting them. I didn't realize that the Mark XV I had was so valuable until I started researching. My grandfather piloted small engine aircraft and definitely owned pilots watches, that being said he would sometimes buy fake watches on his travels through Europe just for kicks. I know that some fakes cannot be determined without it being in person. My iphone wouldn't focus on the engraving on the crown but it says IWC and has some incredibly tiny writing in scroll above and below it. It appears similar to this watch I found on ebay in its color scheme:
2,248 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 2, 2001
The Ebay picture is a Mark XVI, but the watch you posted pictures of is indeed a Mark XV. The Mark XV appeared in IWC catalogs from 1999 until 2005.
The writing around IWC on the crown probably says "Probus Scafusia". I believe (but not quite sure) this model crown replaced the fish crown after the Mark XV's existence, but fish crowns were commonly changed to Probus Scafusia crowns during service at Schaffhausen. If the watch was serviced at Schaffhausen, that would be a good thing!
If my knowledge of the dates of crown designs is incorrect, I hope one of our experts will correct me.
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
Hi,
I am no expert - so will just comment as such
- the Mark XV was produced from 1999-2005, as u can see from this resource site: http://www.fliegeruhr.ch/mark_xv.htm
- the watch in your pics look real in my opinion...although the strap is not original (in other words not an IWC OEM 'original equipment manufacturer' strap)
hope this helps
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
3 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 23, 2012
Does anyone know if IWC has a process for retrieving papers for their watches? Since my grandfather passed away there is likely no box or papers to go with it. I'm not trying to sell it as I love the watch and it has sentimental value.
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
here u go:
http://www.iwc.com/en/service/faq/
AUTHENTICITY OF AN IWC WATCH / CERTIFICATE How can I order a certificate, and how do I know whether an IWC watch is genuine?
Every watch that leaves IWC today is registered for eternity. Since 1885, full details of the calibre, materials used and the case number have been entered in the records. For more recent models, these details also include the reference number. For a small fee, heirs or subsequent buyers can obtain precise information about their IWC watch. So far, this registration was entered into the records, which contain all the details. From 1 July 2012, certificates will be provided for the first time.
For a certificate to be issued, the watch has to be sent to Schaffhausen, where it is carefully and thoroughly examined by one of our experienced watchmakers. It is not possible for a watch to be sent straight to Schaffhausen; it has to be delivered to an authorized retailer or to an IWC boutique. The only way to establish a watch’s authenticity is to have it examined by one of our specialists in Schaffhausen. The information on the certificate mainly relates to the type, case and movement. The certificate may also include information about the watch’s features. If the comprehensive examination is to reveal that a part of the watch is not genuine, IWC reserves the right not to issue a certificate for the watch. Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide information about the collector’s value of specific models, because this depends on factors such as supply and demand as well as the condition of the movement and case. In the event of a worst-case scenario involving loss or theft, it is advisable to report the incident in writing to the police and IWC. The case number in question is then entered in a special register, which ensures that if the watch does turn up again, it will not go unnoticed.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
David Hills Wrote:Also your strap comment "IWC OEM" will this be in FAQ?
Hi David,
Do u mean what does IWC OEM refer to ? OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer - I meant to say the strap in MrSentinel's pic is not an original one.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
mrsentinel Wrote:Does anyone know if IWC has a process for retrieving papers for their watches? Since my grandfather passed away there is likely no box or papers to go with it. I'm not trying to sell it as I love the watch and it has sentimental value.
Just my opinion here - the Mark XV is not a dated or 'vintage' or 'old' watch. It is a fairly recent watch - the box and papers for this particular item is very similar to the ones you get these days for recent IWC watches. If the watch is working, I would recommend that u enjoy wearing and using it, as your grandfather did. my 2 cents.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
435 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 27, 2011Hunan Province,
China
shing Hi David,
Do u mean what does IWC OEM refer to ? OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer - I meant to say the strap in MrSentinel's pic is not an original one. [/QUOTE Wrote:
Thanks Shing, my fault I didn't read it carefully enough, must be the G&Ts!
2,996 Discussions and CommentsMember since April 2, 2011Hong Kong,
Hong Kong
David Hills Wrote in reply to:
shing Hi David,
Do u mean what does IWC OEM refer to ? OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer - I meant to say the strap in MrSentinel's pic is not an original one. [/QUOTE Wrote:
Thanks Shing, my fault I didn't read it carefully enough, must be the G&Ts!
Welcome anytime :) I could use with a couple of G&Ts myself, lol - but gotta get this darn eye infection situation sorted out first :)
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch. all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=schaffhausen+mark+xv&_sacat=0&_odkw=schaffhausen&_osacat=0
I know that he piloted from the 70's to the 80's so I'm not sure how old it is. Here are some pictures of it:
http://imgur.com/a/mlfad
The writing around IWC on the crown probably says "Probus Scafusia". I believe (but not quite sure) this model crown replaced the fish crown after the Mark XV's existence, but fish crowns were commonly changed to Probus Scafusia crowns during service at Schaffhausen. If the watch was serviced at Schaffhausen, that would be a good thing!
If my knowledge of the dates of crown designs is incorrect, I hope one of our experts will correct me.
Dick L.
whichwatch at roadrunner dot com
Last edited: 24 August, 2012 - 00:12
I am no expert - so will just comment as such
- the Mark XV was produced from 1999-2005, as u can see from this resource site:
http://www.fliegeruhr.ch/mark_xv.htm
- the watch in your pics look real in my opinion...although the strap is not original (in other words not an IWC OEM 'original equipment manufacturer' strap)
hope this helps
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07
http://www.iwc.com/en/service/faq/
AUTHENTICITY OF AN IWC WATCH / CERTIFICATE
How can I order a certificate, and how do I know whether an IWC watch is genuine?
Every watch that leaves IWC today is registered for eternity. Since 1885, full details of the calibre, materials used and the case number have been entered in the records. For more recent models, these details also include the reference number. For a small fee, heirs or subsequent buyers can obtain precise information about their IWC watch. So far, this registration was entered into the records, which contain all the details. From 1 July 2012, certificates will be provided for the first time.
For a certificate to be issued, the watch has to be sent to Schaffhausen, where it is carefully and thoroughly examined by one of our experienced watchmakers. It is not possible for a watch to be sent straight to Schaffhausen; it has to be delivered to an authorized retailer or to an IWC boutique.
The only way to establish a watch’s authenticity is to have it examined by one of our specialists in Schaffhausen. The information on the certificate mainly relates to the type, case and movement. The certificate may also include information about the watch’s features. If the comprehensive examination is to reveal that a part of the watch is not genuine, IWC reserves the right not to issue a certificate for the watch.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide information about the collector’s value of specific models, because this depends on factors such as supply and demand as well as the condition of the movement and case. In the event of a worst-case scenario involving loss or theft, it is advisable to report the incident in writing to the police and IWC. The case number in question is then entered in a special register, which ensures that if the watch does turn up again, it will not go unnoticed.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07
Great info once again Shing, will this be included in FAQ, quite important I feel. Also your strap comment "IWC OEM" will this be in FAQ?
Regards
Dave
Last edited: 25 May, 2013 - 08:22
Hi David,
Do u mean what does IWC OEM refer to ? OEM means Original Equipment Manufacturer - I meant to say the strap in MrSentinel's pic is not an original one.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07
Just my opinion here - the Mark XV is not a dated or 'vintage' or 'old' watch. It is a fairly recent watch - the box and papers for this particular item is very similar to the ones you get these days for recent IWC watches. If the watch is working, I would recommend that u enjoy wearing and using it, as your grandfather did. my 2 cents.
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07
Thanks Shing, my fault I didn't read it carefully enough, must be the G&Ts!
Regards
Dave
Last edited: 25 May, 2013 - 08:22
Welcome anytime :) I could use with a couple of G&Ts myself, lol - but gotta get this darn eye infection situation sorted out first :)
Regards, Shing | email iwcforme1976 (at) gmail (dot) com
time does not change us. it just unfolds us. max frisch.
all that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that. baltasar gracian.
Last edited: 8 December, 2012 - 16:07