IWC. A MEN’S STAINLESS-STEEL AUTOMATIC WRISTWATCH Model: Mark XVI Date: Circa 2010 Case reference: 3255 Movement: Signed, 21-Jewels, Cal. C.30110, adjust to 5 positions, No. 3346306 Dial: Signed, black, white Arabic numerals, white outer minute division, black dagger hands with luminous insert, white centre seconds hand, date aperture at the 3 o’clock position Case: Signed, brushed and polished stainless steel , signed stainless steel screw down crown, signed brushed and polished screw down back, No. 3705690 Strap: Signed black leather strap, signed stainless steel buckle Size: 39mm Accompaniments: Black service pouch, paperwork for last service October 2019 The Mark XVI was first introduced in 2006 and it embodies the perfect icon of pilot watches. The origins of the Mark model date back to 1948, when the MARK 11 was first created as a highly accurate, anti-magnetic instrument supplied to the British Ministry of Defence for astro-navigation, primarily issued to Royal Air Force navigators and later to pilots. It then evolved to become the quintessential pilot watch, evoking the romance of flying and becoming part of history. Defined by a sober and simple style, with a plain black dial and stark Arabic numerals clear to read, this watch model is much more a tool for pilots than a status symbol to show off. The brand IWC, being the pilot watches' undiscussed leader, paid homage to its original MARK 11 in 1994 by launching the MARK XII model. Since then, it kept evolving with different versions until now. The latest model, the MARK XVIII Top Gun Miramar - also known as “Top Gun”, has been produced as a special edition, only available to active-duty graduates of the US Navy Fighter Weapons School.