Stiff and clicking crown on 2003 Mark xv

Hello, help needed please. I have recently bought a mark xv, my second, and have a question re the crown. It is, (unlike my first xv), stiff to wind and clicks on turning. It was serviced earlier this year and the previous owner tells me that this is something of a norm with the xv?? I am not so certain. I have been sent a box to send the watch to London for a watch mechanic from IWC to look at. I wondered if anyone had any experience with this?? Is it the norm and should I not worry or does it sound like a serious,,,expensive,, problem? The watch is a beauty and seems to have been well looked after and serviced regularly so I am of course hoping I have not bought a flop.

I'm not so sure it's too much to worry about. I had one of my IWCs go out for service amount 5 years ago - my GST perpetual Calendar and when it returned, the crown was (and still is) very very tight and difficult to wind, and set. I don't necessarily notice 'clicking' but there is a sensation and squirrelly winding sound that was different than previous. It's still tight and stiff and squirrelly - but keeping great time and working well.

I guess my question to you is - is your Mark XV working well and keeping good time? Does it have a solid power reserve?

Many thanks for your reply. In answer to your question, yes, it keeps near perfect time and had a good power reserve. I will still seems it to the IWC representative for a check up but I feel more confident in a positive result, so thank you.

Wifey's Mark XII. Ladies - which she wears very, very rarely has now the same issue: when trying to hand-wind the crown clicks and it is harder to wind as earlier. I gave up doing this as soon as the problem was realized and now the watch is waiting for me to take it to the watchmaker. So I can say that the watch had a normal winding earlier annd now it doesn't have - I'm convinced that this phenomenon is NOT normal. I suggest you to take the watch to the watchmaker - let him deal with the issue.
Hope this helps. Best,
Robert

I'm sending it off tomorrow, will let you both know what's said. Many thanks.

Well, not impressed. Standard letter from IWC. Basically stating what a 200 quid service offers and do I want one. No mention of the Crown, if it had a problem, or that it's even been inspected. Dealing with robots, not humans. I'd heard that IWC customer service had dropped in standard. ...It has.

I can accept that. What I don't accept is the watch having a full service in February this year and now requiring more cost.

I'm sorry to hear you are experiencing problems with your XV.
Going back to your original post -
Where did the MARK XV get it's service in February and what was done?
Sounds to me the seller was passing on a problem that had not been repaired.
What the seller states as "something of a norm with the xv?" Is not!
Your last sentence says a lot regarding your own doubt.

I'm sure this service will rectify any problems and return the XV to specification.

After telling iwc that I would get in touch with the registered jewellers that serviced the watch. ....iwc have decided to just do the work and charge me 200. What is going on. They think all their customers are affluent and 200 is pocket fluff? I'm very annoyed, shows the mercenary side of Iwc. If I want my watch back, I'll have to pay. I did not authorise the work?

So I have my watch back from Richemont in London. Crown action is great, very smooth. What is not so great is the 9 mins fast over a 24 hour period.....GREAT