One of the Most Iconic Pilot’s Watches Just Got a Major Update

The Flieger watch, particularly the cleaner Type A style, is arguably the most recognizable and iconic pilot’s watch there is. Although several brands produce their own interpretation of the WWII style, no company is more associated with the Flieger than IWC Schaffhausen.

The luxury watchmaker has several high-end versions of the Flieger in its Pilot’s Watch line, including the Big Pilot’s and the Pilot’s Chronograph, but the flagship of the series is arguably IWC’s Mark series of pilot watches.

Oh, hi Mark

The IWC Mark originated with the mil-spec Mark XI created for the British Royal Air Force in 1948, with the civilian version debuting in 1994 with the Mark XII. The current iteration is the Mark XX, which is widely considered the most versatile everyday watch in IWC’s lineup.

Introduced in 2022, the Mark XX was the first in the series to house an in-house automatic movement from IWC (complete with a five-day power reserve). It also boasts an imminently wearable 40mm case size that’s thinner and shorter than its predecessors, has a robust water resistance of 100m and is available with one of the best bracelets in the luxury watch biz; all for a smidge over $5,000.

The Mark XX is about as good as it gets for a modern pilot’s watch, but wouldn’t you know it, IWC just went and made it even better.