Important Watches: Part II
Important Watches: Part II
IWC
Mark XI, initial series of 65 watches | A stainless steel wristwatch made for the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) | Circa 1951
Lot Closed
May 15, 12:46 PM GMT
Estimate
3,000 - 5,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
IWC
Mark XI, initial series of 65 watches
A stainless steel wristwatch made for the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC)
Circa 1951
Dial: black
Calibre: cal. 89 manual winding, 17 jewels
Movement number: 1'232'786
Case: stainless steel, screw-down back
Case number: ‘B.O.A.C. cs/131/83/27’
Closure: associated leather strap and buckle
Size: 35 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: none
During WWII, the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) was a state-owned airline with a paramilitary character. The Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) had control of BOAC, which prioritized the RAF for transportation of personnel, freight, and aircraft from factories to active squadrons.
In 1951, BOAC received a first series of 65 watches, including this model, with the engraving "B.O.A.C. cs/131/83/xx" on the back case. The watches were not marked with case numbers, only with engraving markings. Two former BOAC pilots suggest that "cs" stands for "cartographic section," while the numbers 131, 83, and 27 may indicate the astro-navigation instruments, the included watch, and the BOAC ID of the watch, respectively. This is only speculative.