IWC Spitfire Mark XVI is the worthy successor of the popular Spitfire Mark XV timepiece. At the same time, it is mechanically and technically identical to its sibling – Pilot’s Watch Mark XVI. Like all models from the Spitfire watch line, it owes its name and also pays tribute to the legendary British Spitfire aircraft that was especially useful during the Second World War.
Spitfire Mark XVI watch is housed in a mid-sized 39 mm case that is a millimeter larger in diameter than its predecessor Mark XV. The round case is crafted from high-quality stainless steel and it is only 11.5 mm thick. The case carries a thin fixed bezel, also crafted from steel. The watch is protected on both sides by convex sapphire glasses with antireflective coatings. It is secured against displacement that can occur due to drastic changes in air pressure. The water-resistance of the case is assured to 60 meters (200 feet). Further, a soft iron inner case below the case back protects the movement against strong magnetic fields, which is so prevalent in the modern world.
IWC Spitfire Mark XVI Pilot's Watch - IW325502
Mark XVI is powered by an efficient and reliable Caliber 30110 mechanical movement. The movement is actually an IWC-modified ETA 2892 movement and it has also been incorporated in some other IWC’s exquisite models, such as Aquatimer Automatic 2000 and Pilot’s Watch Mark XVI. The self-winding movement built on 21 jewels provides 42 hours of power reserve when fully wound and produces 28,800 vibrations per hour. The Swiss-made movement supplies the watch with the usual set of functions (hour, minute and second), as well as with a date function.
IWC Spitfire Mark XVI Pilot's Watch - IW325505
The Swiss manufacturer of luxury watches offered two models of Spitfire Mark XVI. The first one with the referent number IW325502 is secured to the wearer’s wrist with a brown alligator leather strap with white stitching, whereas the model IW325505 boasts an elegant bracelet made of stainless steel. The version with a strap is more affordable and it can be bought for approximately $4,000, while the model attached to a five raw bracelet comes with the retail price of $5,500, but it can be found on the internet for about $5,000.
The Perfect Combination of Form and Function
Spitfire Mark XVI boasts an extremely legible silver-plated dial. It does not only owe its name to Spitfire because the color of the dial evokes associations with the fuselage of the famous fighter and reconnaissance plane, while the propeller-like hour and minute hands reminisce of the Spitfire’s propeller blades. HM hands are filled with luminescent material from shaft to tip for the best legibility under all kinds of lighting conditions.
IWC Spitfire Mark XVI Pilot's Watch Leather Strap
At the 12 o’clock position, there is a trademark of Pilot’s watches – the arrowhead index. The dial also features raised Arabic numerals and hour markers at the quarter hour and a countdown scale at the outer rim.
A little date window is situated traditionally at the 3 o’clock position. The date can be quickly adjusted by unscrewing the crown and pulling it to the first position.
IWC Spitfire Mark XVI Pilot's Watch Date Window
IWC from Schaffhausen began producing the Spitfire watches in 2003. Today, this line comprises three exceptional timepieces. Besides the Mark XVI, there are Spitfire Chronograph and Spitfire Double Chronograph.
- IW325502
Ref. No. IW325502
Gender Men Shape Round Case Material Stainless steel Case Size 39 mm Case Thickness 11.5 mm Crystal Sapphire Bracelet/Strap Brown leather Dial Silver Movement Caliber 30110 Shock-Proofing No Bezel Fixed Calendar Yes Chronograph No Moon Phase Indicator No Dual Time/World Time No Alarm No Display Analog Water-Resistance 60 meters Altimeter-Depth Meter No Power Reserve Assembly Style Price $4000 - IW325505
Ref. No. IW325505
Gender Men Shape Round Case Material Stainless steel Case Size 39 mm Case Thickness 11.5 mm Crystal Sapphire Bracelet/Strap Stainless steel Dial Silver Movement Caliber 30110 Shock-Proofing No Bezel Fixed Calendar Yes Chronograph No Moon Phase Indicator No Dual Time/World Time No Alarm No Display Analog Water-Resistance 60 meters Altimeter-Depth Meter No Power Reserve Assembly Style Price $5000 - $5500
IWC Spitfire Mark XVI Watch review was published on Watchalyzer on January 28, 2012
Schaffhausen is a reputable brand and this watch is a real mini masterpiece. It has a great mechanism and it carries a long tradition with its name. The collection of Pilot watches is a very good and remarkable collection with a lot of quality watches. Although these watches have high prices, this model is one of the cheapest watches from this collection, but it has everything what is necessary to be one of the stars from Schaffhausen.
The model with a brown leather strap looks extraordinary! My best man wants this watch, he speaks every day about it. I plan to surprise my best man at his weeding which will be for 3 weeks, and to give him this watch. He deserves it!
I`m impress with the price of the watch. This is a nice offer. I`m glad that I saw this watch on this site.
At first sight, this watch looks like an ordinary, boring and cheep timepiece. But it isn’t like that. This is the Schaffhausen – the Swiss brand, known all around of the world like a good, loyal, quality, reliable brand which has some of the best watches in the world and which has an incredible design in every watch. It`s simply brilliant. A synonym for this watches is the word “respect´´.
I have been thinking for a long time what I shall write on my comment after the words of my friend, Melvin, and I still don`t know what I need to write. He said everything in his recent comment. All I can say is that I hope that the IWC will continue making these beautiful watches and that we all will enjoy in their next models. Once again, IWC is the best!
The model with a leather strap looks so awesome! I usually buy a watch with a lot of buttons on it, with a chronograph, a “space´´ bezel and with a dial which is full of some numbers and different colors. But when I saw this watch for the first time, I wanted to buy it. And I still want that, but I don`t know why, maybe because I need something different, something new and quality, and this IWC watch is the right choice for me.