IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince" & Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII Review

      For three years, the Swiss watchmaking masterIWCSpecial edition timepieces themed around Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's Little Prince continue to be released. This year — —, alongside the Big Pilot's Watch Annual Calendar “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition — —, three non-limited Pilot's Watches are similarly adorned with the “ "Le Petit Prince" ” edition's midnight blue dial, brown calfskin strap, and case back engraving: the Big Pilot's Watch “   "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition, the Pilot's Watch Chronograph “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition, and the Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition.

        In Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's fairy tale, The Little Prince, the fox says: “ "What is essential is invisible to the eye." ” “ "What is a ‘ rite ’?" ” asked the little prince. The fox replied: “ "It is that which makes one day a little different from other days

        becomes distinctive when ”——“ The launch of the Le Petit Prince ” special edition has now become a fixed tradition for IWC. The Little Prince was published in New York in 1943, during Saint-Exupéry's exile. This book later became the most famous work by the French author and aviation pioneer. The book has since been translated into over 270 languages and has sold 1.5 hundred million copies worldwide to date.

        This year, the non-limited “ "Le Petit Prince" ” editions comprise three pilot's watch models: the Big Pilot's Watch “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition (Reference: IW500916), the Pilot's Watch Chronograph “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition (Reference: IW377714). Both watches were introduced last year and feature slightly modified dials  , continuing to be fitted with Santoni calfskin straps, alongside the newly launched Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition (Reference: IW327004).

Series Hallmark: Midnight Blue Dial

        The series of watches launched under the name of The Little Prince is characterised by midnight blue dials and calfskin straps with beige stitching. The leather straps are now newly crafted by the brand Santoni —— These two major features turn these sporty yet elegant timepieces into extraordinary eye-catching highlights. Furthermore, the special edition Pilot's watches feature an “EDITION LE PETIT PRINCE” engraving on the case back, as well as an image of the Little Prince wearing a greatcoat and carrying a sword, as drawn by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in the 20th century 40s. This Big Pilot's watch is also designed based on the historical Big Pilot's watch from 1940: the historical numeral “9” omitted in the new Big Pilot's watch of 2002 has now returned to its designated position, and the indicator arrow has also returned to the “12 o'clock ” position below the minute track. The luminescent white propeller-style hands and Arabic numerals against the dark background ensure quick readability in all lighting conditions. Both also give the Pilot's watch a unique appearance. All three timepieces possess the typical qualities of functional watches: precision, functionality and reliability.

        The Big Pilot's Watch “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition is powered by the IWC 51111 calibre manufactured movement. The spring-mounted rotor and Pellaton pawl-winding system provide a power reserve of more than 7 days in the shortest possible time. However, before the intricate power reserve drive train mechanism stops the movement, this system provides 168 hours of energy. Stopping the movement before the mainspring tension is completely exhausted helps eliminate the adverse effects of a constantly decreasing mainspring torque. This ensures that the watch maintains consistent precision throughout its running time. The power reserve display in the sub-dial accurately indicates the remaining time before the movement halts. The Big Pilot's Watch “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition features a date display at the “ 6 o'clock ” position, paired with the central sweep second hand essential for pilot's watches. Its 46 mm stainless steel case is fitted with a soft-iron inner case, effectively protecting the movement against extreme magnetic fields.

        The Pilot's Watch Chronograph “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition is the most sporty of the three pilot's watches, yet it loses none of its elegance. The instrument-style appearance of this chronograph, with a water resistance of 6 bar, is reflected in the clearly structured minute track, white hands and numerals, and the triangular marker. To improve legibility, the new model omits the triple date display,   rendering the dial uncluttered. Equipped with the robust and durable 79320 calibre chronograph movement, the watch can record split and cumulative times of up to 12 hours. A soft-iron inner case offers optimal resistance against external magnetic fields. Polished and satin-finished elements alternate on the large 43 mm stainless steel case.

        The Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition continues the tradition of classic IWC pilot's watches in both form and function. The clearly structured dial is reduced to its core elements, much like a cockpit instrument panel, placing top priority on clear legibility. Accordingly, IWC designers omitted the triple date display and decided on a single date display. This watch is water-resistant to 6 bar, is driven by the 30110 calibre automatic movement, and offers a 42-hour power reserve. In terms of precision and robustness, the Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII “ "Le Petit Prince" ” Edition matches earlier models, meeting a range of requirements for professional pilot's watches. Continuing tradition, the Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII is also equipped with a soft-iron anti-magnetic inner case and fitted with a glass crystal secured against displacement by drops in air pressure, tracing its lineage back to the legendary Mark XI Pilot's Watch introduced in 1948.

IWC and the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation

       2005,  IWC and the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation formed a partnership. The foundation works closely with the non-governmental organisation Sipar to help build school libraries and mobile library buses in Cambodia, bringing reading materials to remote and isolated areas. Through this collaboration, and thanks to the strong support of IWC, two school buildings with integrated libraries were established in 2014, providing 1200 children with the opportunity to receive an education. In addition, a school building was also established in the village of Roluos in Siem Reap province, which is also equipped with a library.  

IWC Schaffhausen and the “Le Petit Prince” Special Edition

       For three years, IWC has continuously launched special edition watches themed around The Little Prince. IWC uses this as an opportunity to commemorate one of the best-selling works in literary history, written by the legendary author, pilot, and adventurer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar “ The Little Prince” Special Edition ( Ref.: IW502802) released in 2013 was the first watch themed around The Little Prince, followed by the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVII “The Little Prince” Special Edition ( Ref.: IW326506), commemorating the 70th anniversary of this world-famous story. A unique masterpiece of an IWC watch — — —the platinum Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar “ The Little Prince” Special Edition ( Ref.: IW502801)—was auctioned at Sotheby’s in Geneva, with the record-breaking proceeds of 173,000 Swiss francs donated in full to the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation, which is dedicated to spreading the humanitarian ideas of this famous Frenchman. The limited “The Little Prince” special edition collection also includes the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph “The Little Prince” Special Edition (Ref.: IW377706) released in 2014, as well as the Big Pilot’s Watch “The Little Prince” Special Edition (Ref.: IW500908). In 2015,  IWC launched the red gold Big Pilot’s Watch “ The Little Prince” Special Edition (Ref.: IW500909), limited to 250 pieces. In the same year,  IWC also created the new Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph “ The Little Prince” Special Edition (Ref.: IW371807), featuring an innovative seven-star circular day display.

Big Pilot's Watch “ Le Petit Prince” Special Edition

Reference  IW500916

Technical Features

Mechanical movement  –  Pellaton automatic winding system  –  Power reserve display  –  Date display  –  Central seconds with stop function  –  Glucydur® beryllium alloyBalance wheel  –  Breguet spring  –  Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields  –  Screw-in crown  –  Glass secured against displacement by drop in air pressure –  Special engraved case back

Movement

Movement 51111
Frequency 21600 vph / 4 Hz 
Jewels  42 
Power reserve  7 days (168 hours)
Winding  Automatic 

watch

Material Reference IW500916: Stainless steel case, blue dial, brown Santoni calfskin strap, stainless steel folding clasp
Glass  Arched sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating on both sides 
Water Resistance 6 bar
Diameter  46 mm 
Thickness 16 mm

Pilot's Watch Chronograph “ Le Petit Prince” Special Edition

Reference  IW377714

Technical Features

Mechanical chronograph movement  –  Date and day display  –  Stopwatch function with hours, minutes and seconds  –  Small seconds with stop function  –  Soft-iron inner case for protectionagainst magnetic fields  –  Screw-in crown  –  Glass secured against displacement by drop in air pressure  –  Special engraved case back

Movement

Movement 79320
Frequency 28800 vibrations per hour / 4 Hz 
Jewels  25 
Power reserve  44 hours
Winding  Automatic 

watch

Material Reference IW377714: Stainless steel case, blue dial, brown Santoni calfskin strap, stainless steel pin buckle|
Glass  Arched sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating on both sides 
Water Resistance 6 bar
Diameter  43 mm 
Thickness 15.2 mm

Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII “  Edition Le Petit Prince ”

Reference  IW327004

Technical Features

Automatic mechanical movement  –  Date display  –  Central seconds with stop function  –  Soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields  –  Screw-in crown  –  GlassGlass secured against displacement by drop in air pressure  –  Special case back engraving

Movement

Movement 30110
Frequency 28800 vibrations per hour / 4 Hz 
Jewels   21  
Power reserve   42 hours
Winding  Automatic 

watch

Material IW327004: Stainless steel case, blue dial, brown Santoni calfskin strap, stainless steel pin buckle
Glass  Arched sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating on both sides 
Water Resistance 6 bar
Diameter   40 mm  
Thickness 11 mm