Lot 401

A collection of three aviator's wristwatches
International Watch Co. Schaffhausen "Mark XI", Movement No. 1259894, Case No. 6B/346-1270/52, Ref. 2612, Cal. 89, 36 mm, circa 1952
An aviator's watch of the British Royal Air Force
Case: steel, screw back with military engraving, protection cap against magnetism. Dial: black. Movm.: bridge movement, "broad arrow", Glucydur screw balance.
The "Mark XI":
In 1948 IWC designed new aviator's watches for English, they were used in different air forces in the United Kingdom of England. Equipped with the today legendary manual hoist movement "Kaliber 89", they promised the highest possible reliability under toughest circumstances and protection against magnetic influences in the cockpit without corrupting the preciseness. The testing circumstances according to which the "Mark XI" had to survive extreme tests during 648 hours before delivery were also unprecedented. The reliable IWC "Mark XI" was also used as expedition watch, as it accompanied for example Sir Edmund Hillary and Mr. J.H. Miller, who was navigator in chief of the "Ross Sea Expedition" on their strenuous expedition to Antarctica.

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