IWC has elevated its beloved Le Petit Prince collection to unprecedented horological heights with two remarkable tourbillon timepieces that blend literary charm with mechanical mastery.
The flagship Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince makes history as the first Le Petit Prince model to feature a ceramic case, introducing IWC’s stunning new blue ceramic that perfectly complements the collection’s signature aesthetic.
Blue Ceramic Wonder
At a commanding 46.5mm diameter, this ceramic marvel truly lives up to the “Big” in Big Pilot’s Watch. The scratch-resistant blue ceramic case is complemented by 18k 5N gold accents throughout, including the oversized crown that ensures operational ease even while wearing gloves—a nod to the watch’s aviation heritage.
The mechanical complexity is breathtaking, combining two of haute horlogerie’s most celebrated complications: the tourbillon and perpetual calendar. The tourbillon occupies the prestigious 12 o’clock position, completing one rotation every 60 seconds while serving as the seconds indicator.
The perpetual calendar spreads across subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, displaying day, date, month, year, and moonphase. The 3 o’clock subdial also houses a power reserve indicator tracking the impressive 7-day (168-hour) autonomy.
Powering this horological symphony is IWC’s caliber 51950, visible through the exhibition caseback where Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Little Prince stands atop his asteroid on the decorated rotor. This same charming motif replaces the traditional moon on the moonphase display, adding literary whimsy to serious watchmaking. Limited to just 100 pieces, this ceramic masterpiece is available on a price-on-request basis.
Wearable Platinum Elegance
The second offering, the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince in platinum, represents the ultimate expression of stealth luxury. At 43mm—the “small” version in IWC’s Big Pilot family—this platinum timepiece offers a more wearable alternative while maintaining commanding presence and sophisticated appeal.
Platinum brings a unique character to this timepiece, offering the “stealth wealth” aesthetic that can be mistaken for steel while requiring significantly more expertise to craft. The material’s density and working properties make this watch “something of a swan, serene on the surface and working like mad below.”
The deep blue sunray dial with rhodium-plated appliques maintains the Le Petit Prince signature aesthetic, while oversized Arabic numerals ensure excellent legibility in keeping with pilot watch traditions. Super-LumiNova provides visibility in low-light conditions, though this platinum creation is clearly destined for refined occasions rather than cockpit duty.
The tourbillon at 6 o’clock showcases IWC’s caliber 82905, operating at 28,800 vph with an 80-hour power reserve. The automatic movement delivers contemporary performance standards while maintaining the mesmerizing visual appeal that makes tourbillons so captivating.
Completed with a brown calfskin strap and platinum folding clasp, this model balances luxury with practicality. Limited to 150 pieces and priced at £78,400, it represents a more accessible—though still decidedly premium—entry point into IWC’s haute horlogerie Le Petit Prince universe.
Both timepieces demonstrate IWC’s mastery in translating literary inspiration into mechanical poetry, proving that even the most sophisticated complications can maintain the wonder and whimsy that makes Le Petit Prince eternally appealing to dreamers and pilots alike.
