A Bold Tribute to “The Little Prince”
Celebrating its rich association with Antoine de Saint‑Exupéry’s iconic tale, IWC’s latest Le Petit Prince edition is a striking full-blue ceramic timepiece that encapsulates both artistic heritage and technical mastery. Limited to just 100 pieces, the model emphasizes exclusivity and prestige.
Materials & Design
- Case & Dimensions: Crafted in matte-finished blue ceramic, the 46.5 mm diameter and approximately 16.18 mm thickness make for a head-turning presence on the wrist. Lug-to-lug, it measures around 56 mm.
- Accents: Crown and case-back ring in warm 5N rose gold, offering elegant contrast.
- Dial & Legibility: The sunray-brushed blue dial features applied gold-plated Arabic numerals and luminous markers, with classic pilot-style hands for instant readability. The tourbillon cage, highlighted by a gold ring, sits prominently at 12 o’clock.
- Strap: A matching textured blue rubber strap with an 18k 5N rose-gold folding clasp completes the ensemble.
Technical Mastery
- Movement: Equipped with in-house Caliber 51950, this automatic movement grants 168 hours (7 days) of power reserve and is wound by a solid-gold rotor depicting the Little Prince on asteroid B‑612, a poetic nod to the literary theme.
- Tourbillon: A flying one-minute tourbillon at 12 o’clock consists of 82 parts, weighing a mere 0.635 g. Its rotating cage helps counteract gravitational effects to boost accuracy.
- Perpetual Calendar: Patented by Kurt Klaus in the 1980s and integrated into this movement, the module automatically adjusts for month lengths and leap years, and displays the year in four digits. The moon-phase display—with the Little Prince and his asteroid—is so precise that it deviates just one day every 577.5 years.
- Construction & Resilience: Featuring a sapphire crystal that’s pressure-resistant and secured against sudden cabin pressure drops—echoing the Big Pilot’s legacy as a rugged aviator’s instrument. Water resistance stands at around 100 meters (10 bar).
Context & Legacy
This edition builds upon the 2021 release with an Armor Gold case, evolving it into a more technically advanced and modern iteration with ceramic—a material known for lightness and scratch resistance. As part of IWC’s long-standing “Le Petit Prince” collaboration, the timepiece combines literary homage with pioneering watchmaking.
Pricing & Availability
- Price: Approximately €118,000 or CHF 100,000
- Availability: A limited run of 100 pieces renders this watch both rare and highly collectible.