So, I’ve been eyeing this IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII for a while now. It’s like, the entry-level piece in their pilot watch collection, and I finally pulled the trigger.

First off, the price caught my attention. We’re talking $3,950. For an IWC, that’s pretty darn reasonable, you know? I did some digging around, and it seems like these watches can actually hold their value really well, maybe even go up in price over time. That’s a nice bonus, even though I’m not planning on flipping it or anything.
Getting my hands on this thing was exciting. It’s a classic pilot watch design, 40mm case, stainless steel, and it’s not too thick, about 11mm. Feels solid but not bulky on my wrist.
- I went for the “Le Petit Prince” edition (IW327004). It’s got this cool blue dial that I just love.
- The crown is screw-down, which I guess is good for water resistance. I’m not a diver, but hey, it’s a nice feature.
I wore it for a whole week straight, just to see how it felt in my daily life. To be honest, it’s super comfortable. The leather strap is soft, and the watch itself is just the right weight. I barely noticed it was there, which is a good thing.
Now, I know IWC has some serious pilot watch history. I even saw some of their watches in that new Top Gun movie. Those are way out of my league, though. They’re special editions only for actual Top Gun graduates, which is pretty awesome.
Anyway, this Mark XVIII is my little piece of that pilot watch legacy. I’ve been wearing it everywhere – to work, out with friends, even just lounging around at home. It’s a great conversation starter, too. People notice it, and they always seem impressed when I tell them it’s an IWC.

Overall, I’m really happy with this purchase. It’s a well-made, stylish watch that feels great on my wrist. And who knows, maybe it’ll even be worth a little more someday. But even if it’s not, I’m pretty sure I’ll be wearing this watch for years to come.
If you’re thinking about getting into pilot watches, or just want a solid, everyday timepiece, I’d definitely recommend checking out the IWC Mark XVIII. It’s a great entry point into the brand, and it’s just a really nice watch, period.