Appreciation of the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Antoine de Saint Exupéry Edition

　　To commemorate the famous pilot, poet, and adventurer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, SchaffhausenIWCSince 2006, the brand has launched various special edition Pilot's watches. 2012 is the year of the Pilot's watch, with the brand introducing stainless steel and limited edition 500-piece 18K red gold models. The case back of this special edition Pilot's chronograph is engraved with the Lightning P-38 aircraft he flew on his final mission, which is exquisitely eye-catching. The chronograph's tobacco-coloured dial, calfskin strap, and cream-coloured stitching make it instantly recognisable to connoisseurs as the classic 'Saint-Ex' design. Let us now explore the legendary charm of this timepiece. 18K Rose gold model official reference: IW387805, stainless steel model official reference: IW387806

　　Introduction to the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Antoine de Saint-Exupéry with over 70 years of history

　　IWC Schaffhausen, famed for its tradition of manufacturing pilot's watches, has introduced its sixth special edition timepiece – the Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Antoine de Saint-Exupéry to commemorate his first flight. 2012 is the year of the pilot's watches, and the brand is presenting a stainless steel model alongside a red gold version limited to 500 pieces 18K.

　　The 89361 calibre is exclusively developed and manufactured by IWC, representing a technical masterpiece for the brand. The standalone subdial displays longer chronograph recordings, thereby removing the need for a second subdial and creating a cleaner look. This streamlined design also appealed to the famous French aviator, who once wrote: "Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away."

　　Exterior Section:

　　This watch is mainly available in two materials: 18K red gold and stainless steel. The oversized 43 mm diameter makes it a commanding presence on the wrist once again, while the alternating polished and satin-brushed finishes with their artfully structured surfaces highlight the appeal of the case. It is water-resistant to 60 metres.

　　The chronograph's tobacco brown dial immediately lets connoisseurs recognise the classic "Saint-Ex" look. This timepiece features exquisite surface finishing, blending polished and silky matt textures to greatly enhance the overall design of the watch. The sunburst finish on the dial accentuates this even further.

　　The case thickness is 15.5 mm; chronograph watches are typically rather chunky and heavy. It features a screw-in crown, with the two conventional push-buttons for operating the chronograph located at the two and four o'clock positions respectively.

　　The case back of the watch is adorned with an engraved motif representing Saint-Exupéry's last aircraft, the Lightning P-38. On 31 7 1944, the aviator known as "Saint-Ex" took off in this aircraft for a reconnaissance mission over occupied France and never returned. In 2003, parts of the wreckage of his Lightning aircraft were salvaged from the Mediterranean near Marseille.

　　The 18K red gold case and folding clasp / stainless steel clasp, paired with a calfskin strap and cream-coloured stitching, instantly reveal the classic "Saint-Ex" styling to connoisseurs.

　　Functions Section:

　　The small seconds subdial at the six o'clock position features a clean design and includes a date display window, substantially enhancing its practicality.

　　The outer track of the subdial at the twelve o'clock position measures 60 minutes, while the inner track measures 12 hours. A standalone subdial displays longer stop times, thereby eliminating the need for a second subdial and resulting in a cleaner aesthetic.

　　Movement Section:

　　The watch is powered by the 89361 self-winding movement, developed exclusively by IWC Schaffhausen, highlighting the brand's extraordinary technical achievements. It operates at an oscillation frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 hertz) and delivers a power reserve of 68 hours.

　　Like certain models in the Ingenieur collection, many Pilot's Watches are also equipped with a soft-iron inner case that effectively protects the movement from external magnetic fields. The inner backplate, case ring, and dial are made from pure iron, which is particularly suited to conducting magnetic lines of force around the movement. This construction prevents magnetic fields from entering the movement, thereby ensuring that the watch maintains exceptional precision regardless of normal or extreme environments, unaffected by magnetism. The anti-magnetic protection can resist magnetic fields of up to 80000 amperes per metre (depending on the model), which is more than sixteen times higher than Swiss anti-magnetic watch standards.

　　Having seen this, I would like to recommend a popular bestseller among IWC watches. If you would like to know more, please add WeChat for enquiries.

　　IWC Portugieser Automatic Bracelet Watch IW500107 Seven-Day Power Reserve

　　Review:

　　◆ A bold dial paired with blue sword hands creates a clean, sophisticated overall design suitable for all age groups.

　　◆ The black silk-screen printed logo and sub-dial markers feature consistent font weights.

　　◆ Relief Arabic numerals and leaf-shaped hands match the appearance of the genuine markers, both finished with thermally blued steel.

　　◆ Fitted with blue anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal, featuring a clear blue reflection, clean crystal contours, and delicate vertical brushing.

　　◆ Powered by a custom Cal.51011 movement operating at 21600 vibrations per hour, ensuring accurate timekeeping.

　　Summary: IWC watches are renowned for their precision mechanics and exceptional quality. Combined with Italian design flair and Swiss technical expertise, they are deeply favoured by watch enthusiasts. The IWC watch recommended here features fine craftsmanship and guaranteed quality. Those wishing to purchase are welcome to add WeChat for enquiries.

You might also like:

How to authenticate IWC replica watches?

How much does a 1:1 IWC replica watch cost?

How many years can an IWC replica watch last?

Are 1 to 1 IWC high-grade replica watches water-resistant?

How can one distinguish between a genuine and a fake IWC watch?