IWC - Pilots Mark XX 40mm Automatic IW328201 SS/LE Black V7F A2892

V7F IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XX on Black Leather Bracelet - IW328201

The V7 factory has released four color variants for the Mark XX, including the blue dial IW328204, the black dial IW328201, the popular green dial IW328205, and the white dial IW328208. In terms of movement options, there are versions equipped with the Swiss SW300 movement and the Seagull 2892 movement, with the 2892 movement offering a power reserve of 40 hours. Buyers can choose according to their needs.

The craftsmanship is essentially the same as the previous V7 Mark XVIII, with the size reduced from 41mm to 40mm. Additionally, some design elements have been added to the dial, such as the extended 3, 6, 9, and 12 markers, which are now made with a droplet effect that mimics the genuine product. This droplet effect is one of the key points distinguishing it from lower-tier versions on the market.

Another aspect to note is the cleanliness of the hands. This is where the M+ Taiwan factory often receives more attention in promotional materials, but in reality, the quality of the hands from the M+ factory does not match the cleanliness and precision of those from the V7 factory. Close-up views show the V7 Mark XX hands' details, including the clean lume filling and mirror polishing, with no rough edges even under magnification. The ends of the minute and second hands are slightly curved downwards, which is an accurate replication of the original design and helps in precise time reading.

The watch glass is made of sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective blue coating, offering high transparency. The edges are clear, reflecting the dial markings accurately, unlike lower-quality versions that may have a white edge around the glass. The overall quality of the watch heavily relies on the transparency of the glass; if the glass is subpar, the dial details will not be effectively showcased.

The date window features a small step, and the date font size is consistent with the original. The case is still crafted from 316L stainless steel, and the thickness has been slightly reduced from 11mm in the old Mark XVIII to 10.8mm in the new version, following the original design.

All three color variants have a solid case back engraved with the JU-52 transport aircraft, which was the most famous German transport aircraft during WWII. The JU-52 played a significant role in all German military operations, earning the nickname "Auntie Ju" from German soldiers and "Iron Annie" from Allied soldiers. The internal movements offered are either the Swiss SW300 or the Seagull 2892.

For straps, each color variant offers both a steel bracelet and an Italian calf leather strap. The leather straps are color-coordinated with the dials: green leather for the green dial, black leather for the black dial, and blue leather for the blue dial.