IWC Unveils the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince in Platinum
IWC Schaffhausen has expanded its celebrated Le Petit Prince collection with a new high-end edition of the Big Pilot’s Watch 43, now crafted entirely from platinum. The release continues the brand’s long-standing tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s literary masterpiece, combining the aesthetic codes of classic pilot’s watches with the sophistication of haute horlogerie.
Source: monochrome-watches.com
A legacy of storytelling and watchmaking
IWC’s partnership with the heirs of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry began in 2006, giving rise to a line of watches inspired by The Little Prince. Since the debut of the first Big Pilot’s Watch Le Petit Prince in 2013, the collection has become a canvas for limited editions that blend aviation heritage with poetic symbolism. The new platinum model follows the 2023 edition in blue ceramic, adding precious metal refinement to the narrative.
Design and proportions
The Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince retains the collection’s signature proportions, with a 43 mm case measuring 14.58 mm in height and water resistance rated to 100 metres. While not the largest Big Pilot in IWC’s portfolio, it still embodies the imposing presence characteristic of the line. The polished and satin-finished platinum case exudes understated opulence, paired with a rich blue sunray-brushed dial.
The dial maintains IWC’s trademark clarity, featuring applied rhodium-plated Arabic numerals and propeller-shaped hands filled with Super-LumiNova for optimal legibility. The oversized conical crown, a hallmark of the Big Pilot’s design since the 1940s, ensures ease of use even when wearing gloves.
The tourbillon and movement
At 6 o’clock, an aperture reveals the flying minute tourbillon - a technical and visual focal point of the watch. The cage, composed of 56 components and weighing just 0.635 grams, rotates once per minute to counteract the effects of gravity on timekeeping precision. The mechanism can be stopped to allow exact time setting, a rarity among tourbillon-equipped watches.
Powering the watch is the IWC-manufactured calibre 82905, visible through the sapphire caseback. The automatic movement uses the brand’s patented Pellaton winding system, upgraded with ceramic components for enhanced durability. Operating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), it offers an 80-hour power reserve. The rotor features a sculpted depiction of asteroid B-612, home to the Little Prince, symbolising the connection between the poetic and the mechanical worlds.
Finishing and presentation
The caseback engraving and visible movement finishing adhere to IWC’s highest standards, with a mix of circular graining, perlage and Côtes de Genève. The watch is fitted with a brown calfskin strap secured by a platinum folding clasp.
Edition and pricing
The Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince in platinum is limited to 150 pieces worldwide. It is priced at CHF 85,000 (approximately €95,200), underscoring its position as one of the most exclusive expressions of the Le Petit Prince series to date.
