It can only be seen when looking at the dial towards a light source at a specific angle and it provides the watch, in comparison with its black and white dial contemporaries, with a quite lustrous appearance.Īs for the black and the white dial versions, their surface appears less shiny, one might even say a bit grainier. When you take a step back and view the individual elements of each dial version, then the barely noticeable stripe finish on the dark blue Mark XVIII is particularly interesting. Its appearance has been minimised and it now only displays the current day (not the day before and afterwards like the Mark XVII). A lot of people are going to be really pleased with the new date display. The three versions we have on hand are the Mark XVIII with a white dial and a black calfskin leather strap, one with a black dial and metal bracelet, as well as the “Petit Prince” limited edition in dark blue on a brown calfskin strap.Ĭompared to Mark XVIII’s predecessor, the Mark XVII, the toned-down date display as well as the different position of the triangular index placed well under the minute scale are the first things that stand out. This, as well as the accessible price point of under 5,000 EUR makes the piece particularly interesting for younger watch enthusiasts and those who haven’t yet become familiar with the pilots’ watch genre. With its 40 millimetres diameter it also measures less than other pilot’s watches from IWC as well as those from most other watch manufacturers. Even more than its predecessors, it gravitates to the legacy of the legendary Mark XI. The launch of the IWC Mark XVIII is one of the biggest highlights in this year’s watch season.