Have you ever read French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s ‘The Little Prince’ novel? If you haven’t and you happen to be an IWC fan, maybe the new timepieces from the Swiss watchmaker will inspire you to read the novel. IWC Schaffhausen pays tribute to the novel with the release of two timepieces: the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW504901) and the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW329501).
Both models celebrate the poetic legacy of The Little Prince while showcasing dramatic additions to the Big Pilot’s collection. I won’t claim the Big Pilot collection is my favorite from IWC (it’s not even the second favorite collection) but that’s not necessarily a negative. It just means IWC has a superb set of collections.
The limited-edition watches reflect the fusion of storytelling and engineering that has come to define the “Le Petit Prince” series within IWC’s Big Pilot family. The more technically ambitious of the two, the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince, is limited to 100 pieces and features a first for the “Le Petit Prince” line: a case crafted in blue ceramic.
Measuring 46.5 mm in diameter, with a deep, rich tone of ceramic, it echoes the starry imagery of Saint-Exupéry’s work. This model is powered by the in-house 2.75Hz 51950 caliber, which combines a perpetual calendar with a flying tourbillon and a very respectable power reserve of 168 hours. The perpetual calendar, developed by IWC legend Kurt Klaus, features the regular displays that come with that complication and a moon phase.
Notably, the moon phase on this model has been uniquely redesigned to feature the Little Prince himself, standing on his asteroid in place of the traditional lunar depiction. The tourbillon, visible at 12 o’clock, creates a captivating visual centerpiece.
Additional aesthetic elements elevate the piece’s exclusivity: an 18-carat 5N gold crown, case ring, and folding clasp, as well as a blue textured rubber strap for comfort and resilience. The case back reveals a gold rotor intricately shaped as the Little Prince on his asteroid, reinforcing the theme of wonder and imagination that permeates the design.
The second timepiece, the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince, is a more compact interpretation of the theme, limited to 150 pieces and presented in a polished platinum case. At 43 mm, it offers a slightly more wearable profile while still delivering a high complication in the form of a flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock.
The tourbillon appears to float against a radiant blue hypnotic sunray-finished dial, offering a dramatic contrast and a sense of depth. The case is paired with a brown calfskin strap secured by a platinum folding clasp, maintaining the refined aesthetic expected from IWC’s most exclusive collections.
Powering the timepiece is the IWC-manufactured 4Hz 82905 caliber, equipped with a Pellaton automatic winding system, and enhanced with ceramic components for durability. A Diamond Shell® coating on the pallet lever and escape wheel reduces friction and boosts efficiency.
The improved efficiency helps the movement attain an 80-hour power reserve and, like its larger sibling, is fitted with a rotor shaped as the Little Prince on his asteroid which takes the same hue as the case. The rotor is visible through the sapphire crystal case back. If you’re wondering about this prince and the asteroid, you’ll need to read the novel.
For fans of the Big Pilot collection, the question is, which one do you consider worthy enough to go into that open spot in your watch winder.
