Mk XV and Mk XV Spitfire

One of my sons had always wanted to own my 1999 Mk XV (with tritium markers and original "bead of rice" bracelet). When he graduated and began his first job I decided to give it to him in celebration. I regretted the decision ever since and really missed the watch. Today I took delivery of a much newer Spitfire version with silver dial and brown leather strap. It's dimensions are just perfect for my wrist and I do quite like the shape of the hands. However, it seems lighter than the original - even accounting for the strap instead of the bracelet. Could there be any reason for this, or is it my ageing imagination?

Could it be that the inner anti-magnetic shield...

... consisting of so-called soft iron, is of lesser thickness ? For instance the dial, which is significantly different in the classic vs. the spitfire, which is part of the soft-iron enclosure may make a difference in weight.

At the other hand, one should really disconnect the strap and bracelet from the watch to objectively compare the weight. My own impression is that - even when one makes abstraction of it in the mind - the bracelet and strap produce a different "sense" of weight and subjective feeling of solidness than what could actually be evidenced, e.g. on a weighscale.

Just my 2 cents, ciao Rob.

Mk XV and Mk XV Spitfire

The XV seems a little lighter. Have a look at the info you can find on the link below.

Bas

Workbook

Mk XVI Classic and Mk XVI Spitfire

I just looked it up in "Collection", with the Mk XVI it is the other way round: the Classic is 3 grams lighter (on strap and on bracelet) than the Spitfire. And with the Chrono there is no difference. As I do not believe that there are differences other than the dial, the Mk XVI Spitfire dial must be a bit havier, and just looking at it, that makes sense to me.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing yellow gold Portuguese Perpetual Calendar

Hands

Hmm, the hands of the Spitfire look a bit more metallic than those of the Classic, still, I do not think that this would make the difference, hands being very light.

Kind regards,
Paul, wearing yellow gold Portuguese Perpetual Calendar

Mk XVI Classic and Mk XVI Spitfire

Thanks to all for your comments. I'm sad enough to have taken this to the extreme and actually weighed them! The spitfire is the heavier - slightly. I've been away on holiday during the last week and unable to swap watches and I have to say I've grown fond of the spitfire hands - particularly in the dark! The Mk XV still does seem to me to be a perfectly proportioned watch and likely to be a frequent "wear" from my current collection.