Here is the IWC Mark XVIII from the MK factory, I received it a couple of weeks ago and it was a great rep straight out of the box. But it needed some work done to bring it up a notch.
I sent it to Steve to apply his double AR coat to the crystal and while he was doing that the watch was sent off to get the hands relumed. When I first received it, the rep lume on the hands were just a tad yellowish and I like it crisp white so that is what I requested.
While this was going on Jacobstraps made me two new straps, one black and one dark brown. He perfectly imitated the Santoni ones that come with the gen (I had no intention of paying the Santoni premium for the OEM calf leather straps). They both look really great with this dial, the black dresses it up and the dark brown makes it more sporty. For this watch I did not order the orange interior lining since I do not like how it looks on this particular dial. On the 3777-09 there is a small red hand in the subdial and the orange lining on the strap somehow brings it out, so for that watch I requested the orange lining.
I also purchased a ZF deployant clasp that is made for the 5007 since I really didn't want to use the tang buckle that it comes with on the brand new Jacob strap.
Now that it has all come together the watch is an absolute stunner! It is simply a beauty in it's simplicity (if that makes any sense). No other way to describe it.
It is super comfortable on the wrist, I hardly notice it's there, and the time is a pleasure to read (just like a Pilot's watch should be).
All in all, this is a definite keeper for me!
I also have the larger Pilot model, the 3777-09 from ZF factory which I have been wearing steady for the last couple of weeks. It also has the same mods, 2xAR, Jacob Strap and Relumed hands. Together this is an amazing pair of Pilot's watches.
It's funny how since I got into the IWC brand, between these and the 5007's - it is literally taking up 95% of my wrist time. And I have highly modded expensive AP's and PP's just sitting around. Oh well.
On to the pics!
IWC Mark XVIII on black strap:
IWC Mark XVIII on dark brown strap:
IWC Pilot 3777-09 on black strap with orange lining:
Together:
Almost forgot the lume shot!
I sent it to Steve to apply his double AR coat to the crystal and while he was doing that the watch was sent off to get the hands relumed. When I first received it, the rep lume on the hands were just a tad yellowish and I like it crisp white so that is what I requested.
While this was going on Jacobstraps made me two new straps, one black and one dark brown. He perfectly imitated the Santoni ones that come with the gen (I had no intention of paying the Santoni premium for the OEM calf leather straps). They both look really great with this dial, the black dresses it up and the dark brown makes it more sporty. For this watch I did not order the orange interior lining since I do not like how it looks on this particular dial. On the 3777-09 there is a small red hand in the subdial and the orange lining on the strap somehow brings it out, so for that watch I requested the orange lining.
I also purchased a ZF deployant clasp that is made for the 5007 since I really didn't want to use the tang buckle that it comes with on the brand new Jacob strap.
Now that it has all come together the watch is an absolute stunner! It is simply a beauty in it's simplicity (if that makes any sense). No other way to describe it.
It is super comfortable on the wrist, I hardly notice it's there, and the time is a pleasure to read (just like a Pilot's watch should be).
All in all, this is a definite keeper for me!
I also have the larger Pilot model, the 3777-09 from ZF factory which I have been wearing steady for the last couple of weeks. It also has the same mods, 2xAR, Jacob Strap and Relumed hands. Together this is an amazing pair of Pilot's watches.
It's funny how since I got into the IWC brand, between these and the 5007's - it is literally taking up 95% of my wrist time. And I have highly modded expensive AP's and PP's just sitting around. Oh well.
On to the pics!
IWC Mark XVIII on black strap:
IWC Mark XVIII on dark brown strap:
IWC Pilot 3777-09 on black strap with orange lining:
Together:
Almost forgot the lume shot!
