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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Military wristwatch

IWC Mark XI for the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Ref. 2612

Partially verified

This IWC Mark XI military wristwatch, reference 2612, is catalogued as dating to circa the 1940s and associated with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The source indicates a 36 mm stainless steel case housing a manual-wind caliber 89 movement. The dial is black with white Arabic numerals, hour markers, a central sweep seconds hand, and a printed broad arrow insignia beneath the International Watch Co signature. According to the condition report, the case back carries the engraving 'R.N.Z.A.F., 108.' Christie's records that the watch is accompanied by an IWC Excerpt from the Archives and an IWC repair warranty card from 2003.

Front view of the IWC Mark XI Ref. 2612 with black dial and stainless steel case
Front view of the IWC Mark XI Ref. 2612 with black dial and stainless steel case — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Wristwatch · Military wristwatch
Maker / attribution
IWC
Reference
2612
Catalogue / lot identifier
101
Source-reported date
circa 1940s
Country
Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Classification

This wristwatch is catalogued by Christie's under the title 'IWC, Mark XI for the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Ref. 2612' with a circa date of the 1940s. The lot essay notes that Mark XI watches were produced for several air forces—including the Royal British, Australian, and New Zealand—as well as the British Overseas Airline Corporation, and that a civilian version was produced under reference 2612.

Military association is noted via a reported case back engraving reading 'R.N.Z.A.F., 108.' Documented accompaniments include an IWC Excerpt from the Archives and an IWC repair warranty card from 2003.

Evidence for this section
  • “IWC produced the legendary Mark XI for several different air forces including the Royal British, Australian, and New Zealand.”
  • “A civilian version of the watch was produced, reference 2612.”
  • “The case back has an engraving that reads, "R.N.Z.A.F., 108."”
  • “ACCESSORIES: IWC Excerpt from the Archives, IWC repair warranty card from 2003”

Case Construction and Observed Dial

Direct visual inspection shows a matte black dial featuring white Arabic numeral hour markers, an outer minute track, and luminescent markers at the quarters. A broad arrow insignia is printed below the 'INTERNATIONAL WATCH CO' signature, with 'SWISS' visible below 6 o'clock.

The case is stainless steel with a brushed finish, measuring a catalogued 36 mm in diameter, and has a fluted crown at 3 o'clock. The watch is fitted with a black leather strap adorned with circular metallic studs.

Evidence for this section
  • “Matte black dial with white Arabic hour numerals, outer minute divisions, and luminescent markers at the quarters”
  • “Printed broad arrow marking beneath 'INTERNATIONAL WATCH CO' and 'SWISS' below 6 o'clock”
  • “Brushed stainless steel case with fluted crown at 3 o'clock”
  • “Fitted with a black leather strap featuring circular metallic studs”
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 36mm”

Mechanism and Reported Condition

The movement is listed as a manual-wind caliber 89, reported by the auction house to be in working order at the time of cataloging though not tested for accuracy. Movement components and the case back engraving are not visible in the provided image, precluding direct visual verification of serial markings or internal state.

The condition report notes several modifications and wear items: the case appears to have been polished and possesses a small divot on the back; the crown appears to be a service replacement; the hands appear to be later replacements; and both the hands and dial appear to be re-lumed.

Evidence for this section
  • “CALIBER: 89”
  • “The movement is in working order at the time of cataloging, consistent with the age of the watch.”
  • “The movement has not been tested for accuracy.”
  • “The case appears to have been polished. The case back has a small divot to it.”
  • “The crown appears to be a service replacement.”
  • “The hands and dial appear to be re-lumed.”
  • “The hands appear to be later replacements.”

Open research questions

  • What specific delivery dates, caliber numbers, and serial records are confirmed on the accompanying IWC Excerpt from the Archives?
  • What specific repair work or component replacements are detailed on the 2003 IWC repair warranty card?
  • What is the physical layout, typography, and placement of the 'R.N.Z.A.F., 108.' engraving on the case back?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for IWC Mark XI for the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Ref. 2612
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case MaterialStainless steel“CASE MATERIAL: Stainless steel”
Case Diameter36mm“CASE DIAMETER: 36mm”
DialBlack“DIAL: Black”
MovementManual“MOVEMENT: Manual”
Caliber89“CALIBER: 89”
EngravingR.N.Z.A.F., 108.“The case back has an engraving that reads, "R.N.Z.A.F., 108."”
AccompanimentsIWC Excerpt from the Archives, IWC repair warranty card from 2003“ACCESSORIES: IWC Excerpt from the Archives, IWC repair warranty card from 2003”
Circa Date1940s“CIRCA: 1940s”
Movement Working StatusIn working order at cataloging; not tested for accuracy“The movement is in working order at the time of cataloging, consistent with the age of the watch. The movement has not been tested for accuracy.”

Visible details

  • Matte black dial with white Arabic hour numerals, outer minute divisions, and luminescent markers at the quarters
  • Printed broad arrow marking beneath 'INTERNATIONAL WATCH CO' and 'SWISS' below 6 o'clock
  • Brushed stainless steel case with fluted crown at 3 o'clock
  • Fitted with a black leather strap featuring circular metallic studs

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the crown appears to be a service replacement
  • Source condition report notes the hands and dial appear to be re-lumed, and hands appear to be later replacements
  • Case appears to have been polished per source condition report
  • Movement and case back engraving are not visible in the provided image

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

IWC, MARK XI FOR THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIR FORCE, REF. 2612, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record f7fc0db82f

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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