The Mark series bracelet

So I bought a new Mark XVIII on the bracelet with the little buttons you push
to release the "links". My watchmaker was not terribly impressed with the
engineering of this, to be honest. Other than being an unnecessary pain to
resize (he grumbled comparisons to Rolex) he mentioned that the springs in
there would rust over time from wear and cause major problems. Any thoughts
about this?

I think your watchmaker is more concerned that the bracelet is so easy to size
and much more user-friendly than the Rolex bracelet (which requires special
tools and skill to adjust). My watchmaker was very impressed with the
engineering and how easy it was to adjust at home. I have been scuba diving
with an IWC on a bracelet with these little butons you push to release the
links for over 10 years now and have had no problems with rusting springs. As
you probably won't be diving with your pilot watch as much as I was withy my
Aquatimer, I wouldn't be the least bit worried about it. The only one worrying
will be your watchmaker who may have lost a bit of his businiess if you decide
to resize the bracelet yourself next time;)

Great, thanks for sharing. I'm happy to hear it. I must say I do love the
bracelet feel. However, I would never attempt to resize myself after seeing
what he went through ... indeed it does come apart into many complicated
pieces! Anyway, glad to know there won't likely be a rust problem! I think the
Mark series pilot is the most comfortable watch I've ever worn and it surely
beats my Breitlings in both fit and feel as well as timekeeping!

Congratulations on your Mark XVIII, it really is a fantastic watch. I also
have one and my wife has one as well, both on bracelets that I have adjusted
myself several times. These bracelets are really not difficult to adjust as
long as your hands do not shake too much. There are definitely some medical
conditions that would make adjusting it more difficult for sure. But if your
watchmaker has a problem wih the bracelet, I would be cautious letting him
work on a movement.

IWC Mark series bracelet are one of the best (if not the best). And superior
to Rolex bracelet in my view in almost all aspects.