IWC's Le Petit Prince is a tribute model to the famous pilot and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Its distinctive dial and case back make it one of the most popular pilot's watches. We'll be introducing the relationship between IWC and Saint-Exupéry, as well as some recommended Le Petit Prince models.
Saint-Exupéry's achievements
The Le Petit Prince collection, released by IWC as a tribute to the great pilot and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (1900-1944), is a model. First, let's look at the relationship between IWC and Saint-Exupéry.
A tribute to a famous French pilot
IWC's popular model, the Le Petit Prince, is a special watch that pays homage to Saint-Exupéry.
Saint-Exupéry, a famous French pilot, also left his mark on history as a writer. Le Petit Prince is also the original French title of Saint-Exupéry's masterpiece, "The Little Prince."
IWC releases new models in one of its collections each year, and in recent years has released a limited edition Le Petit Prince model as a new addition to its Pilot's Watch collection.
Saint-Exupéry Foundation and IWC
Saint-Exupéry's descendants, carrying on his philanthropic legacy, founded the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation in the 2000s to support the education of underprivileged children and young people.
IWC is a partner of the Saint-Exupéry Foundation and continues to support it today by donating a portion of the profits from Le Petit Prince to the Foundation and its partners.
The partnership between IWC and the Saint-Exupéry Foundation is based on shared values: like the Saint-Exupéry Foundation, IWC also supports disadvantaged young people as part of its social contribution activities.
The allure of the IWC Le Petit Prince
The IWC Petit Prince embodies the ideals of a classic pilot's watch in both form and function. Here are some fascinating details that define the model.
Beautiful midnight blue dial
One of the charms of the Petit Prince is its beautiful midnight blue dial, reminiscent of the night sky.
The calming deep blue is a fitting feature for a watch based on The Little Prince, and the red second hand on the chronograph model adds an accent to the dial.
The dial has a sunray finish with a pattern that radiates from the center. The reflection changes depending on the amount of light that hits it, so you can enjoy the different shades of color by changing the angle at which you look at it.
"The Little Prince" engraved on the case back
The Petit Prince, based on Saint-Exupéry's masterpiece, has "The Little Prince" engraved on the case back, giving a glimpse of IWC's playful spirit within its elegance.
The illustration engraved on the back cover varies depending on the model, but the main illustration is a full-body portrait of the Little Prince.
A masterpiece paying homage to Saint-Exupéry
IWC Le Petit Prince has several current collections. Let's take a look at some of the most popular and recommended models.
Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII "Le Petit Prince" IW327016
Automatic movement (Cal. 35111). 25 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 42 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 40mm, thickness 11mm). Water resistant to 6 bar. Price: 1,061,500 yen (tax included).
The Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII "Le Petit Prince" is a Le Petit Prince watch with a stainless steel bracelet. It is positioned as one model in IWC's flagship pilot's watch collection, the Mark XVIII.
The compact stainless steel case offers a perfect combination of the functional and aesthetic features that characterize a pilot's watch.
The movement is caliber 35111, which has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. If you want a leather strap, you should choose the same Mark XVIII Petit Prince "IW327010".
Big Pilot's Watch "Le Petit Prince" IW501002
Automatic movement (Cal. 52110). 31 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 168 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 46.2mm, thickness 15.6mm). Water resistant to 6 bar. Price: 1,061,500 yen (tax included).
The Petit Prince model from IWC's Big Pilot's Watch collection is the Big Pilot's Watch "Le Petit Prince," featuring a stainless steel case and calfskin strap.
The watch is powered by the in-house automatic movement, caliber 52110. It features an efficient Pellaton automatic winding system and a soft iron inner case that provides maximum protection from surrounding magnetic fields.
While other Petit Prince models have case diameters of 40-43mm, this model has a larger case diameter of 46.2mm. The case size alone will surely make it stand out.
Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince" IW392202
Automatic movement (Cal. 89630). 51 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 68 hours. 18KRG case (diameter 43mm, thickness 15.9mm). Water resistant to 6 ATM. Price: 2,673,000 yen (tax included).
The Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince" is the latest addition to IWC's Pilot's Watch collection. It is equipped with the in-house caliber 89630, which combines a perpetual calendar and chronograph functions.
The case is made of 18K red gold and the strap is made of brown calfskin.
The transparent sapphire crystal case back allows you to view the movement, allowing you to enjoy the intricate workings of this complex mechanism.
Enjoy a special pilot's watch
The IWC Petit Prince is a tribute to Saint-Exupéry. The Saint-Exupéry Foundation and IWC have formed a partnership that continues to support underprivileged youth.
The beautiful midnight blue dial and the Little Prince engraved on the case back are the distinctive charms of the Le Petit Prince. Check out the popular models and find your favorite one.
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