116000 OP Blue Dial vs. IWC Mark XVIII Black

Hello everyone, this is my first post on here. I am trying to decide between the 36mm blue dial OP and the new Mark 18. I am partial to the IWC because I am a fan of pilot watches and non common watches (don't like drawing unwanted attention), but for literally the same price I can have the Rolex that I like as well (not a fan of the cyclops). And of course it has an in house movement, while the IWC does not. IWC on bracelet is $4,950 and the OP is $5,400. I have tried both on and again like both with the edge to the Mark. The IWC has an "easy link", the Rolex does not. I am a sucker for blue dials, just not on the IWC as the black is classic and again, a pilot's watch. I can't help but feel IWC will eventually come out with more in house movements and I have a hard time shelling out for the IWC when I can have in house and better resale value for the same price. Also, prefer the all brushed case of the IWC as scratches won't be as noticeable (I am assuming) I am looking for any advice/insight anyone has between these models. Thanks in advance!!

IWC Mark XVIII

Pros
- Cheaper
- Easy Link Bracelet
- All Brushed

Cons
- ETA Based Movement

Rolex 116000 Blue

Pros
- It's a Rolex
- In-House Movement
- Blue Dial

Cons
- Might draw unwanted attention
- Polished dome case (Scratches)

As this is the IWC forum, i would like to suggest the IWC pilot watch for your purchase. IMHO there are no pro`s to an OP.

Any reason to your thought on that? I am relatively new to the high end watch market. Today I am more pro IWC. I have never been in my life a mainstream kind of guy. I like the unique and different. I think I was starting to get caught up in the Rolex hype. I want to wear a watch and not have it noticed and draw attention like I have read and heard Rolex does.

As far as Rolex goes, there are icons to be found in their range, but the OP is far from an icon and never will be one. It's pretty, but will be forgotten in years to come.

The IWC Pilot Watch is iconic, has heritage from a long line of Pilot Watches and by joining the IWC family you will experience something special that Rolex ownership just cannot match.

You made me look up the Oyster Perpetual (I didn't know what OP was, Google is a great help). I am more an IWC man than a Rolex man: I have quite a few IWC watches and no Rolex watches. I just don't like that very characteristic looks of the Submariner or the GMT, although from the quality point of view they just are top notch. The Oyster Perpetual really looks subdued to me, certainly for a Rolex, I am not sure it will draw unwanted attention that easily. The Rolex movement is absolutely first class. So I would be hard pressed to choose between the Oyster Perpetual and the Mark XVIII. For this type of watch, an all-round daily wearer, I chose quite a different watch, combining all the good properties of the watches mentioned: the titanium Blancpain Bathyscaphe. It is a bit more expensive though.

Kind regards,
Paul

Thanks for the input. The reason I am more drawn to the OP over any other Rolex is that it doesn't have a cyclops. I really don't like that aspect. Plus I am a sucker for blue dials. Haven't seen le petit prince in the mark so can't comment on that but it appears a dark blue from the pictures I have seen.

I do have a recently acquired limited edition navitimer 01 that I really really like. The all polished case and bracelet give me hesitation to wear it daily though. I was drawn to the mark because of the all brushed case and bracelet and it's slightly smaller for an everyday wear. Big pilot I think is too big for me.

Do any of you have any other recommendations for different models of the mark or IWC in general. I'm relatively new to the brand but I love pilot watches (but not too big as I don't have large wrists) and love the history of IWC.

At 36mm the Rolex appears too small and more like a ladies watch to me. The 40mm of the Mark XVIII seem very well chosen, even on a small wrist.

I have been reading more about the Mark 18 and the two main complaints are the date window (didn't seem as noticeable In person than in pictures online) and the lack of an in house movement. Neither overly bothers me as the ETA is re worked and up to IWC standards... But some people think that next year would be the introduction of an in house Mark. Is this unrealistic? Seems like not a large enough window to sell a watch of this nature. If it were possible I would consider waiting as I won't be ready to pull the trigger on a Mark until this summer or fall. Anyone have any thoughts on timeline for in house and what that would do to the overall cost? Would it be a 50-100% jump or would it be comparable to what it is now?