It’s safe to say that IWC is the standard-bearer in pilot’s watchmaking. Their signature pilot’s watches are a staple in the watch space since they helped define the genre in the 1930s and 1940s. Almost a century later, the Swiss watchmaker continues to dazzle the world with their expertly-crafted timepieces. While many of their signature pilot’s watches have benefitted from the addition of a chronograph feature, it wasn’t until now that the Schaffhausen-based company added the complication to their popular “Big Pilot.”
Welcome the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Le Petit Prince,” the first Big Pilot’s Watch with a chronograph function. This gorgeous timepiece sports a mechanical chronograph that’s controlled by a single button that’s integrated into its chic, conical crown. The monopusher chronograph is incredibly user-friendly, practical, and seamlessly integrated into the watch. Simply press the button once to start the chrono, press it a second time to stop it, and press it a third time to reset the hands to zero. The elapsed minutes are displayed on the totalizer at 12 o’clock, serving as the only chronograph register on the dial. As part of the brand’s popular and long-running Le Petit Prince collection, IWC named this limited edition timepiece as an homage to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s famous book, which is why it features a deep-blue sunburst dial — the same color as the book’s cover. Its case features stainless steel construction, 60m water resistance, and a see-through sapphire caseback that gives an excellent view of the rare mechanism.
For its movement, IWC outfitted Le Petit Prince with their in-house, IWC-manufactured 59365 calibre, which is their only chronograph that is manually wound. This handsome timepiece comes fitted with a brown calfskin strap with a folding clasp to bring this elegant offering together. The Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Le Petit Prince” is limited to 500 pieces and retails for $16,100 on IWC’s website.
