IWC Mark XI

About this reference

The IWC Mark XI 6B/346 was produced from 1948 until the early 1980s, primarily serving as a navigation timepiece for the British Royal Air Force. Collectors value this reference for its chronometer-grade Calibre 89 manual-wind movement, which features a hacking seconds function and a soft-iron inner cage for magnetic resistance. The 36mm stainless steel case houses a matte black dial characterized by a white outer minute track and the "Broad Arrow" military mark. Early versions featured radium luminous material, later replaced by tritium, denoted by a circled "T" on the dial. On the secondary market, these watches typically trade between $7,000 and $12,000 depending on provenance and military markings. A notable variant is the "White 12" dial, an early production run featuring a luminous numeral at the twelve o'clock position instead of the standard triangle, which commands a significant premium at auction.