I had mine for almost 10 years (since my wedding) and it's been one of my favorites as it is so versatile. It's one of those watches that I can just grab and go without thinking about what attire I am in and what I will be doing. As you know, the design is a straight forward pilot watch design but the quality and attention to detail of the watch is such that it has grown on me over time. I even bought a bracelet for it a few years ago and it has made it even more versatile. My wrist is about your size and here are a few wrist shots.

it looks just as good on a strap

 

Looks great! Thanks for the pictures. Yeah a lot of what you mentioned is why I’m interested. Simple, dress up or down, versatile. I’d wear it on straps, I don’t like the weight of steel bracelets.

Have you seen the newer versions? If I go see the newer versions so I can see in person, are they similar enough that I can get a good feel? I know size is different but I think size of the XVI should be okay. Particularly if you have similar wrist size.

Also how did you feel about the missing 6 and 9 at first? Has it changed? That’s one I’m still deciding. I think I like it but it’s definitely a little different from other watches with Arabic numerals.

 

Looks great! Thanks for the pictures. Yeah a lot of what you mentioned is why I'm interested. Simple, dress up or down, versatile. I'd wear it on straps, I don't like the weight of steel bracelets.

Have you seen the newer versions? If I go see the newer versions so I can see in person, are they similar enough that I can get a good feel? I know size is different but I think size of the XVI should be okay. Particularly if you have similar wrist size.

Also how did you feel about the missing 6 and 9 at first? Has it changed? That's one I'm still deciding. I think I like it but it's definitely a little different from other watches with Arabic numerals.

you can get a feel of size with the newer version. The watch case diameter isn't that much if a difference but the lug to lug is longer on the new ones. Regarding the missing numerals, my observation is that it makes the dial of the XVI more elegant (much better balance with great symmetry) and the versions with all numerals except 3 more toolish. However,I think IWC tries to make the case of the newer Mark with more luxurious feel so by looking at the case the XVI feels more like a tool watch instead of a luxury watch.

one thing I didn't like the XVI is its OEM strap. But with a 20mm lug width you can easily find substitutes to your liking. Don't dismiss its bracelet right away though as it is very comfortable and light. It distributes the weight so well that it disappears on my wrist. I actually found it more comfortable on the bracelet.

 

Yeah I’m not too worried about the oem strap. 20 mm lug is easy to find other straps. My stowa antea has 18mm lugs which have been much harder to find sometimes. Anyway thanks for your responses they were really helpful. I think I’m sold on it. Now just need to find one to buy!

 

And good to know about the bracelet. They look nice just worried about weight. But may be worth trying if I see a good deal that includes it

 

Not sure if OP would consider the current Mk XVlll. Here's a few few comparison shots with 40mm Stowa.

XVlll shares the same case diameter with Stowa, both are 1mm larger than IWC Mk XVl.

Hope this helps.

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Great pictures comparing the two, thanks! Both are beautiful watches. I wouldn't consider the XVIII because of the longer lugs - you can definitely see them in your second picture. I think the Stowa Flieger / MK XVI are about as large as I would want to go. And they really are the two I'm most strongly considering. But these pictures show them very clearly next to each other. Aesthetically, I like the IWC more. But how much more?

I think it really comes down to price. If I can get a good price on a MK XVI, its extra cost is probably worth it to me. I saw it priced at 3300 through a used dealer, which seems way too high given past prices I've seen on WUS. And I can't justify it at that price. But I'm a little hesitant to buy private. And, as one of WUS's newest members, others might be hesitant to sell to me? I don't actually know if that's true or not.

 

Just speaking from experience - those little differences can add up to make all the difference. As you said "I like the IWC more. But how much more?"

The answer I've found with such a question is always the cost is worth it. Every time I've tried to "get close enough and spend less" I end up selling at a loss, and getting what I wanted in the first place. I suggest holding out for the IWC if that's what you really want!

I myself was recently looking at a somewhat similar pair - Oris vs IWC. Seeing and trying them in person however, I knew there was only one answer that I'd be happy with long term.

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As a newer member, you shouldn't have too much trouble buying. The only difference is, you may have to take on some extra risk, like a different payment method so the seller can be sure you won't scam them by making a Paypal claim after receiving the watch. As long as you're open to things like this, along with maybe some other things like verification through a phone call or something, you should be ok. Of course, you need to put more trust in the seller in these cases. Selling as a new member is much tougher.

$3300 wouldn't be too bad on bracelet imo. Remember, you can always try to negotiate as well. I doubt they'd hold firm to their listed price, there's basically always room for offers.

Those comparison pictures are great. Funny, I actually think the Stowa has better proportions on the dial, case, markers. I've been considering an IWC Mark series ever since I sold my Stowa flieger, but haven't settled on which version. Agree with @dak_la this style just seems to go with any outfit and any strap.

 

$3300 wouldn't be too bad on bracelet imo. Remember, you can always try to negotiate as well. I doubt they'd hold firm to their listed price, there's basically always room for offers.

$3300 on strap. If on bracelet, yeah that wouldn't be too bad considering I think the bracelet was $1000 MSRP. And thanks for the info on buying as a new member. Really good to know. And you were saying you like the proportions of the Stowa better. I think the proportions are pretty similar to my taste. To me, it's the hands. I like the blued hands on my Stowa antea (light dial), but I prefer the more white hands of the IWC on the black dial. But I also might like the blued hands of the Stowa flieger more in person, hard to say.

To omega1300 and Kirkawall, I absolutely get what you're saying. Part of me thinks: if I might keep this for a few decades, I should buy exactly the watch I want (well, within reason anyway). But in omega1300's case, those two watches are similar but also pretty different. I think the Stowa vs IWC fliegers are much closer, such that I could probably be happy with either. That being said, still different enough that it's a tough choice.

 

The Mark XVI is indeed a very versatile watch - more than once have I commented that the Mark XVI could be my only watch, Said the same, by the way, about Omega's (previous model) Railmaster. And these two watches complement each other in a "funny way" - the numbers missing on the IWC are to be found on the Omega (and vice versa).

I would highly recommend you search for one with bracelet - you mention MSRP of $1,000 but my latest info said $1,400 - it is easily one of the most comfortable bracelets you will ever wear and will eventually want one.
We have our Mark XVI's since spring of '11 - I had ordered the watch and upon arrival, my wife tried it and "declared" ..... if you want yours, you'll have to order a 2nd one. We did, put them away for a few more weeks and unboxed them again on our 20th anniversary.
Our wrists are slightly larger than yours (6.5" & 6.75") but you get an idea how these wear

 

Nice pairs! I think mine kind of complements each other as well, albeit still missing a 12.

I have been meaning to write about a comparison of these two GADAs but it's been quite challenging. But in praise of the Mark, as @Kirkawall mentioned, it doesn't lose out in this comparison.
How about you, how would you compare the Railmaster and the Mark?

here is my pair of his and hers:

 

Two great pairs! I couldn't consider either the Railmaster or Explorer because no date. Any GADA for me has to have a date. Which seems to be a pretty controversial topic on this forum. But great pictures!

dak_la is that the newer Mark 36 automatic (or whatever it's called?) I thought about that for my small wrist, but I think it might be too small. And it looks like it's a little more polished. I like that the Mark XVI is mostly a more matte finish (at least, as far as I can tell this is true).

 

Two great pairs! I couldn't consider either the Railmaster or Explorer because no date. Any GADA for me has to have a date. Which seems to be a pretty controversial topic on this forum. But great pictures!

dak_la is that the newer Mark 36 automatic (or whatever it's called?) I thought about that for my small wrist, but I think it might be too small. And it looks like it's a little more polished. I like that the Mark XVI is mostly a more matte finish (at least, as far as I can tell this is true).

That was actually not the Mark, but a 36mm pilot they released a few years before. The actual Mark 36 looks pretty much exactly like the regular Mark, except smaller. So it doesn't have the polished surfaces like the one shown above. I think both the 39mm Mark XVI and the 36mm Mark would fit you, it's a personal choice/taste which you prefers.

 

I have a 40mm Stowa Flieger, Damasko DA-36, Omega Trilogy Railmaster, and IWC Mark XVI. The Damasko is the most toolish. The Stowa is a simple classic and wonderful for the price. The Omega is very well made and beautiful in a low key, understated way, but a bit thick. Of the four, the IWC is my favorite -- simple but striking, comfortable and trim. The perfect go anywhere, everyday watch.

 

Of the four, the IWC is my favorite -- simple but striking, comfortable and trim. The perfect go anywhere, everyday watch.

Yup, definitely what I'm looking for!

You questioned the weight of it on bracelet. It is very light actually. 116g, and for reference my Datejust (modern 116200) is 120g and my Mark XVIII was 144g!

So I have an old steel watch/bracelet that is about the same weight as the Mark XVI. And I find it too heavy. Granted, it's stiff, so it might be more about it being a crappy bracelet than the weight. I still might have to pass on the bracelet now because it makes it a little too expensive for what I'm comfortable wearing on my wrist on a daily basis.

Agree. I like my Explorer 39, but I find the IWC more legible in more light conditions, and more under-the-radar generally, and it gets more wear.

Yeah, the legibility is really what gets me. That's the only thing I don't like about the Stowa Flieger. The blued hands look like they blend into the dial. The IWC hands seem much more legible and I think that looks particularly nice.

Thanks all for the feedback on this watch! Nice to know others like it so much.

 

I love them so much, I have 2 of them! The black one is the longest owned watch I've ever had, along with my Datejust. It has outlived many culls of watches like Mark XV, XVIII, Explorer 36 and 39 and countless others. You questioned the weight of it on bracelet. It is very light actually. 116g, and for reference my Datejust (modern 116200) is 120g and my Mark XVIII was 144g!
Also, like MHe225, I also own the older gen Railmaster and it's the only other watch that has given the XVI a run for its money (oh, and it's 125g on its bracelet).

 

Agree. I like my Explorer 39, but I find the IWC more legible in more light conditions, and more under-the-radar generally, and it gets more wear.

That previous-ten Railmaster is a fantastic watch, an underrated classic. Wish I'd jumped on one when they were still available and agree that it's just different enough from the IWC to make a superb two-watch collection that can dress up or down and go anywhere.

 

I love my Stowa Klassik 40 and have been enjoying it for a few years, but I keep bouncing back to considering an IWC Pilot as well for some reason. I doubt I'd ever replace my Stowa, but I may pick up an IWC Mark VIII or 39mm Spitfire as well at some point. I am also a bit of an IWC fan, owning a Portofino and Portugieser, so already well aware of the quality.

@LodeRunner's comment about Damasko echo my feelings too. I like the brand and have been very close to buying one over the years, but can never quite settle on a model which really jumps at me. Having said that, I'm keen to see what future releases come out, especially with their new movements.

 

I want to give a quick purchase update (the best kind of update)! As a graduation present from my parents, my wife, (and myself of course), I just received this in the mail! It's even nicer in person than in photos. Unfortunately, the strap is way too big, so I can't actually wear it yet. I have an Erika's strap coming in the mail, which I have heard great things about. Anyway, thanks all for the feedback and expressing how much they like this watch. It's killing me that I can't wear it yet, but should be any day now.

Also, this is my first wrist shot of a watch ever. And it's so strange how different the proportions look on camera vs in person. Here, it almost looks like it could be too big. On my wrist, it is absolutely the perfect size.

 

Congrats! Looks great on you! I personally didn't really like the OEM strap on the Mark XVI anyway so enjoy experimenting it with different straps.

 

Looks great! Love the mark xviii but got small wrists. Mark xvi looks like a great option.

 

@Purefix thanks! I think this now defines the perfect size for me. I love both the diameter and the lug2lug on my 6.25" wrist.

Also, I got my Erika's in the mail and wanted to add that the Mk XVI looks awesome on an Erika's. I thought I was going to buy a handful of straps to play around. But I'm not sure I ever want to take it off this strap. It's amazingly comfortable. And, I think it's a good looking combo. I love the way the centerline and the 6 line match up.

 

@Purefix thanks! I think this now defines the perfect size for me. I love both the diameter and the lug2lug on my 6.25" wrist.

Also, I got my Erika's in the mail and wanted to add that the Mk XVI looks awesome on an Erika's. I thought I was going to buy a handful of straps to play around. But I'm not sure I ever want to take it off this strap. It's amazingly comfortable. And, I think it's a good looking combo. I love the way the centerline and the 6 line match up.

View attachment 15780019

Looks great! Never tried erika but heard extremely comfortable. My wrist bit shy of 6.25

I've owned the Mark XVI 3 times.. Every time I sell it, I hate myself and buy another one... The one I have now is staying forever lol.

@Purefix thanks! I think this now defines the perfect size for me. I love both the diameter and the lug2lug on my 6.25" wrist.

Also, I got my Erika's in the mail and wanted to add that the Mk XVI looks awesome on an Erika's. I thought I was going to buy a handful of straps to play around. But I'm not sure I ever want to take it off this strap. It's amazingly comfortable. And, I think it's a good looking combo. I love the way the centerline and the 6 line match up.

View attachment 15780019

Looks great! Never tried erika's but heard extremely comfortable. My wrist is also 6 1/4" inches. I'd say perfect size watch for me is sinn 556i. Bb58 surprisingly fits well also due to female endlinks. But I'd definitely consider mark xvi as an upgrade to 556i.

 

I've owned the Mark XVI 3 times.. Every time I sell it, I hate myself and buy another one... The one I have now is staying forever lol.

 

I am lucky to have had a number of very nice watches over the years (including watches from PP and AP which I have sold)

My mark XVI is the most "solid" piece. Beach to board room it works.

Will never sell it

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Congrats! I’ve been on the fence about selling my Mark XVI but after reading some of these posts, I think I’ll hold on to mine.

 

Congrats! I've been on the fence about selling my Mark XVI but after reading some of these posts, I think I'll hold on to mine.

It's one of the first nice watches I have, and I have had mine for 10 years now. Since then, I have gotten other watches that are "fancier" (in other words, more expensive). But the Mark XVI is always in my rotation. It's just so comfortable and versatile.

 

Had to bring out the Mark XVI after all this talk!

 

Mark XVI on a bracelet will never leave the collection!

 

Love my Mark XVI Spitfire. Perfect appearance and size.