New IWC Mark XX - and Watchcrunch saved me a lot of pain in buying the right one!

Two days ago I bought a blue IWC Mark XX on the bracelet. I'd wanted it for ages, but couldn't justify the outlay, even though I could easily afford it. (I'd never spent this kind of money on myself until I got into this wonderful but expensive - for me - hobby.) Then a short term project came in out of the blue. The fee I could charge would cover the Mark XX, and not out of regular income. Bingo!

But IWC doesn't offer any guarantee about accuracy, which is very, very important to me, and hackmartian had detailed the truly horrendous experience he'd had with his Mark XX on Watchcrunch. I cannot say how grateful I am to him for sharing this.

So I went in to the boutique in Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur, where the manager, Chin Keat, could not have been more helpful. I examined the one on the blue strap, which is what I wanted (because Pilots' watches ought to be on a leather strap, right?).

It was every bit as beautiful as I expected. But... I remembered hackmartian's experience. So I pulled out my phone and asked if I could test it with the Watch Accuracy Meter app. Plus 20 seconds a day was the result. A Chinese New Year band were banging drums very loudly nearby, so I tested it twice more when they'd stopped. Still plus 20 seconds a day. I do not want to spend this kind of money and find that my Laco Augsburg, which I paid $270 for, is far more accurate at plus 7 seconds a day.

Can I see the Mark XX on the bracelet, I asked. Tested that three times: -2 seconds a day, 0 seconds a day twice. I really hadn't wanted to buy the watch on the bracelet, but it is a marvel - a lovely jubilee style with a super smooth glide lock micro adjust.

That did it. I don't mind paying full RRP for that kind of accuracy and a stunning and very functional bracelet (it's about $800 more than on the strap).

Okay, I've only had it a couple of days, but it's gaining maybe a second a day - which makes it my most accurate automatic. I'm thrilled to have this iconic watch on my wrist, gazing at the smooth sweep of the long second hand and the stark white on the inky blue depths of the dial. I'll get the leather strap later - about $350 in local currency - and be able to enjoy it both ways with the easy change system it has.

I reckon this could really be a one watch collection. It's cured me of the desire that I'm sure a lot of us are afflicted by - to have a Rolex. There's really no big crown that I'd prefer at this or any price point.

And the watch community helped me buy the right one. Teddy Baladassare reviewed two Mark XXs - one was plus five seconds a day (sure, could live with that), the other was plus 15 seconds a day (no, not at this price point). hackmartian hammered that home - and I wouldn't have known about it without his detailing his experience on Watchcrunch. So thank you so much.

This is what this community is all about - helping each other and celebrating our esoteric hobby, even if it means next to nothing to most people! Enjoy your watches, crunchers! 🙏