Homage to Mark XI: IWC Bronze Pilot 36mm Special Edition Automatic Men's Watch Replica Review
This past year, the Swiss watch manufacturing company has presented the IWC Bronze Pilot 36mm Special Edition watch replica: an attractive homage to some timekeeper which was introduced over 70 years back and it was worn through the British Royal Air Pressure pilots for years to come. Having a deliciously compact and surprisingly - for any watch operated by a self-winding caliber- slim situation machined from the bronze alloy, it appears stunning new and it has an excellent possibility to age graciously along with its owner.
Like the rest of the Bronze Pilot watch replica, the dial slightly differs from the face of the original Mark XI: it is definitely more modern starting with the brand’s current logo and finishing with easier-to-read luminous Arabic numerals that are now significantly bolder. The new, fatter digits not only allowed the Swiss brand to use a thicker layer of the luminous compound but are also a lot better at matching the thick luminous hour markers and wider hour and minute hands.
The lack of date aperture allowed for a lot cleaner exterior compared to other vintage-styled pilots, while the polished red gold hands give the gadget a premium look contrasting the overall rugged appearance. Also, the hands give this wristwatch an even more original look compared to dozens of premium-priced "historic"pilot's that feature similar chapter rings, but sport the same inevitable diamond-shaped hour and minute hands making it especially difficult to tell a "historic"Archimede from a Stowa that uses a similar approach to design.
This new IWC Bronze Pilot 36mm watch fake doesn’t reference the vintage model directly, but, even despite using a radically different material for its case, looks truer to the proverbial roots. First, it is of the same size of modest 36 millimeters (and, at just shy of 10.5 mm from sapphire top to solid titanium bottom, it is also deliciously thin for an automatic.) Second, compared to Mark XIII, it features a more laconic dial, even though it, too, is not a direct quote from the original.
The IWC Pilot Bronze watch replica shares the design of its ultra-compact body, as well as the setting/winding crown, with other members of IWC’s current Pilot Automatic 36 fake range although the material is obviously different. As, for that matter, is the finish: instead of the usual combination of polished and machine-brushed surfaces, this watch comes with a more “tactical” sand-blasted finish applied both to the case and the crown.
Second, is the military-style NATO strap from NOMAD Watch Works fashioned from olive-green nylon and (like the other two varieties) accented with “bronze-colored” elements. Not adding too much to the “value proposition” of this timekeeper (NWW straps usually retail for $10-$15 USD,) it is still great to have one as an “emergency spare” since it’s not that easy to find a quality NATO strap with bronze accents in your table drawer or even on Amazon.
The mechanism is inexpensive, features an average accuracy, and is not particularly fancy offering you anything more entertaining than a central hacking seconds hand and basic finish including Geneva Stripes, circular graining, and a branded oscillating weight. Mass-produced mechanisms powering such expensive timepieces are usually subjected to a lot more careful initial quality inspection and are a lot more thoroughly regulated than the one you'll find in a cheaper watch, but they are still what they are: inexpensive workhorses easy to take care of, but won’t stun anybody with their list of functions or design. It’s only for the best that IWC decided to hide this miniature engine behind a solid titanium cover: nothing to see here, you see.
The Dial
The dark green dial of the IWC Pilot 36mm Special Edition timekeeper fake looks excellent with the light brown color of the case and will look even better later on when the alloy develops that characteristic greenish patina bronze artifacts are known for. The patina will take a lot of time to form, but, if you are not a faint of heart, you can speed up the process using -at your own peril- certain potassium sulfide-based chemical substances.Like the rest of the Bronze Pilot watch replica, the dial slightly differs from the face of the original Mark XI: it is definitely more modern starting with the brand’s current logo and finishing with easier-to-read luminous Arabic numerals that are now significantly bolder. The new, fatter digits not only allowed the Swiss brand to use a thicker layer of the luminous compound but are also a lot better at matching the thick luminous hour markers and wider hour and minute hands.
The lack of date aperture allowed for a lot cleaner exterior compared to other vintage-styled pilots, while the polished red gold hands give the gadget a premium look contrasting the overall rugged appearance. Also, the hands give this wristwatch an even more original look compared to dozens of premium-priced "historic"pilot's that feature similar chapter rings, but sport the same inevitable diamond-shaped hour and minute hands making it especially difficult to tell a "historic"Archimede from a Stowa that uses a similar approach to design.
The Case
Back in 2017 they even introduced a Mark XVIII Edition "Tribute to Mark XI" (ref. IW327007) replica model that was inspired by the same post-WWII "navigator" watch procured by the Royal Air Force. At 40 millimeters in diameter, the watch was significantly larger than the original. The date window that came together with a Sellita-based movement, as well as a more modern color scheme, too, was noticeably different from the 1940s model.This new IWC Bronze Pilot 36mm watch fake doesn’t reference the vintage model directly, but, even despite using a radically different material for its case, looks truer to the proverbial roots. First, it is of the same size of modest 36 millimeters (and, at just shy of 10.5 mm from sapphire top to solid titanium bottom, it is also deliciously thin for an automatic.) Second, compared to Mark XIII, it features a more laconic dial, even though it, too, is not a direct quote from the original.
The IWC Pilot Bronze watch replica shares the design of its ultra-compact body, as well as the setting/winding crown, with other members of IWC’s current Pilot Automatic 36 fake range although the material is obviously different. As, for that matter, is the finish: instead of the usual combination of polished and machine-brushed surfaces, this watch comes with a more “tactical” sand-blasted finish applied both to the case and the crown.
The Strap
It is the strap (or, rather, the choice of them) that is the main selling point of this IWC Pilot Bronze watch replica. First, there is a great olive green suede strap by Jean Paul Menicucci for Revolution that I’d use the most often since, combining high quality of craftsmanship, relatively affordable price of approximately $100 USD, and looking terrific together with the military green dial of the timepiece, it is the most obvious choice for a daily driver.Second, is the military-style NATO strap from NOMAD Watch Works fashioned from olive-green nylon and (like the other two varieties) accented with “bronze-colored” elements. Not adding too much to the “value proposition” of this timekeeper (NWW straps usually retail for $10-$15 USD,) it is still great to have one as an “emergency spare” since it’s not that easy to find a quality NATO strap with bronze accents in your table drawer or even on Amazon.
Movement
Like other members of IWC's current small (i.e. 36mm to 39mm-sized watches) collection, the watch is powered by a rather unassuming movement based on the well-known Sellita SW300 caliber (this one comes without the calendar wheel since the watch is offered as a basic three-hander).The mechanism is inexpensive, features an average accuracy, and is not particularly fancy offering you anything more entertaining than a central hacking seconds hand and basic finish including Geneva Stripes, circular graining, and a branded oscillating weight. Mass-produced mechanisms powering such expensive timepieces are usually subjected to a lot more careful initial quality inspection and are a lot more thoroughly regulated than the one you'll find in a cheaper watch, but they are still what they are: inexpensive workhorses easy to take care of, but won’t stun anybody with their list of functions or design. It’s only for the best that IWC decided to hide this miniature engine behind a solid titanium cover: nothing to see here, you see.
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