The IWC Mark XVI 3255: Something different.

Good evening to all, with the news that circuit breaker is going to be lifted in phases on June the 2nd, I for one, have grown a particular sub-character of hermit-life and hikiko-mori. Staying couped up at home has really benefitted me. A flurry of new ideas for the design part of the blog will be coming up shortly and feeling a sense of personal-development is what I will be saying if someone asked me about my time when I get back to school. I cannot say the same for my health though. For tonight, I will be reviewing this IWC Mark XVI 'spitifre' , a beauty in its own right but really not being able to fit in anywhere in the 21st century for watch collecting and I'll explain why. But for now, just sit back and relax as I try my best to drain this mug of coffee dry and make this interesting.

The IWC Mark XVI (16) reference 3255-01 is a 39 millimetre 'pilots' watch. It features Arabic numerals and a triangular lume plot at the 12 O'clock with a beautiful almost sunburst-like black dial that produces a stunning blue hue at certain angles. Of course nowadays, real pilots do not use mechanical watches due to the advances of avionics and Global-positioning systems (GPS) that in essence, allow the plane to fly itself. Not to downplay a pilots job, one of the reasons why they get a hefty paycheck because the passengers lives are in their hands. However, this watch is a direct descendant of the watches that German pilots would wear over the skies of Europe, in battles of epic proportions like Battle Of Britain. If you'd just neglect the fact that they where under Nazi fascist rule, these pilots had to rely on shear skill and work with the information they got from their watches and other analog instruments in order to be lethal and effective against their enemy, making them true professionals of their craft but, I digress.

The watch is coupled with an added-on IWC original riveted pilot strap, giving it an elevated historic-vintage feel. Being surprisingly light on my wrist even though it is an automatic watch with a rotor makes it a great daily-wear. The crocodile strap is rigid but will get flexible and forms around the shape of your wrist after a while. Being derived from past pilot watches, the case has the iconic military vibe, with its instantly recognizable lug shapes and functional design. This creates a holistic package of a product that focuses on the key needs of the user, to read the time quickly and be inconspicuous. The contrast of white indices with the black background creates a sharp and crisp image, with the relatively large numerals removing the need for the user to use precious milliseconds to figure out the time. The date window is border-less and seamlessly integrates into the dial itself, creating a sense of unity that will not mislead. With the triangular lume plots and lume-filled hands, legibility in low-light conditions are possible. Hence, in essence, the dial is uncluttered and straight to the point, a testament to IWC's objectives of following its roots and style that it is well-known for.

As for the inconspicuous theme, the casing's brushed stainless steel produces a matte finish fitting excellently well with the sapphire crystal that has been treated with anti-reflective coating , creating an ominous looking timepiece that might shock some who do not know the brand or its iconic design. With the omission of a bracelet and low-profile silhouette, this IWC creates a pure WW2 watch look, akin to those of the Dirty Dozen, where the grit and straight-forward nature takes over the elegance of the movement and craftsmanship. Staying true to the aesthetic is very prevalent in IWC watches and it is their way of saying how can we make sure that people understand our heritage through our new watches. In essence, IWC watches of the 21st century are more of homages to themselves of the past. Their newest watches now have in-house movements but it is clear to everyone that IWC is trying their very best to cater to cater to a specific group of watch enthusiast with their newest Spitfire watch being loaded with foetina and an Olive drab NATO strap. This new direction of heritage that emulates from iconic planes are just the few ways that IWC is wrinkling its towel of all their marketing ideas from their own understanding of their customers.

However, all this is just the sad truth that IWC's relevancy is slowly shrinking due to its uncommon place in today’s watch buying public. With a watch like an IWC, one must try to categorize it into the plethora of other watches (diver, dress, etc) and try to fit it into the grand scheme of things which is an individuals life. Frankly, as watch design evolves to the likes of Ming Watches and Richard Mille that integrate many aspects of futurism and innovation in their design, IWC will soon become old-fashioned and a fragment of its former self. This can be clearly seen by the drop in demand for IWC watches in recent years in resale or boutique, their astronomical price tag for reissued designs becoming less appealing and almost unfathomable when other alternatives can perform as well. The Mark XVI is the last of the few 'spitfire' variant watches that really retains a certain charm, the charm of balancing the iconic 'throwback' design but not overdoing the vintage aura. This truly is a unique watch.

The Seiko SKX007: A discontinued icon

Hi there! I would like to give a warm welcome to you, discerning reader, to my blog and my first blog post in a series of watch reviews starting with the Seiko SKX007. As the 'war against the virus' is being waged on an international scale, I would like to take this time of idle (and social distancing) to channel my energy into reviewing an ISO 6425 certified diver's watch named after a british spy I bought a few weeks ago. I will be sharing my personal opnions on why this watch is one of the most satisfying purchases I have made in recent years and why this watch is for everyone.

Starting off with the details, the SKX007 houses an 'ancient' workhorse 7S26 movement that has been used since its introduction in 1996. Featuring a day and date display, it operates smoothly at a steady 21,600 bph with the use of 21 Jewels. Taking this into account, one can undoubtedly feel assured about this watch's mechanical health, giving me a certain sense of confidence that I would not need to service this watch anytime soon. In terms of dimensions, this watch is surprisingly well-balanced. With a case diameter of 41mm and a case thickness of 13mm, one might think of an uncomfortable and distressing experience while wearing this watch for the fear of an accidental abrasion. However, the robust yet streamlined design of the SKX's mirror-finished lugs and oyster bracelet has minimised the overall bulk we come to expect from a stereotypical diver's watch, being able to plant itself quite steadily on my wrist during my ocassional night swims. The lumed hands giving me a spectacular display underwater.

This brings me to the other quirks and features of the watch, which could be clearly identified right off the bat. The'offset'crown guards although a little out of place, have been beautifully executed,fitting perfectly with the design language while refraining from sticking out like a sore thumb in which many other dive watches suffer from. The bezel, which offers a luminous pearl inset and beyblade-like edges evokes a sense of seriousness and professionalism contrasting against a lume-plotted dial that has been kept minimal of words or numerals. In a sense, every single design choice fits cohesively,playing on each other's strengths to allow for a distinctive potrayal of a watch that is both affordable and well thought-out creatively. However, as much as how iconic this watch is, the end product was ultimately being brought upon by Seiko's determination and prowess to create a tool for divers all around the globe.

Likewise, this contagious passion by the Seiko engineers (more like geniuses) has been passed on to the general watch-loving public, garnering the wide-spread popularity it deserves amongst the likes of Rolex Submariners and Omega Seamaster Professionals at a significant fraction of the price. This has made it a long-time contender for generations of young men who are looking for entry-level watches (like me) which carries a certain charm and heritage cementing it as a stylish essential. On the other side of the spectrum, it should not be surprising that this watch is one of the biggest driving forces for the Seiko modifying culture too.With a plethora of out-of-this-world combinations and aftermarket parts such as foetina dials, Grand Seiko-esk hands, Pepsi/Hulk/Batman bezel inserts to straight up movement-swapping. The shear variety of ways to express ones personality and uniqueness is endless coupled with the value proposition and functionality turly makes this an all-rounder.

To call the Seiko SKX007 an icon might just be an understatement for the legacy that it has created for all Seiko dive watches that was and is to come, a gateway into the world of horology or even playing a crucial part of someones occupation as a diver.I am certain that many people would have their own personal stories about their experience with the SKX007 and how it must have changed their perspective on what a great watch (and not just expensive watches) can be. It is with shear disappointment that only last year, Seiko had indefinitely shut down production of the SKX007 and its siblings, moving on to produce the new Seiko turtle. Hence, as of now, Seiko SKXs are a finite 'resource' and some would even consider them a commodity with prices climbing by the seasons past on websites such as amazon and ebay.

Great design will always be recognised and loved in a saturated market like the watch industry. Considering all that I've said, it would only make sense if this Seiko will one day be inducted as a true vintage sought-after timepiece.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.