IWC Introduces Two Blue Tourbillon Pilot’s Watches Honoring ‘The Little Prince’

IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled two new high-complication additions to its “Le Petit Prince” line, further deepening the brand’s long-standing tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved novella. The latest releases—the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince and the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince—combine the elegance of deep blue dials with the technical mastery of flying minute tourbillons, each set in distinctive case materials.

The more complex of the two, the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW504901), is IWC’s first “Le Petit Prince” model to feature a blue ceramic case, sized at 46.5 mm. Its integrated complications include both a flying minute tourbillon at 12:00 and a perpetual calendar, making it one of the most mechanically sophisticated timepieces in the Pilot’s Watch collection.

The movement inside, the IWC-manufactured 51950 caliber, is composed of 447 components and offers a seven-day (168-hour) power reserve. The perpetual calendar, originally developed by IWC’s Kurt Klaus, includes displays for the date, day, month, year, and moon phase—here charmingly rendered as the Little Prince standing on asteroid B612. A gold rotor, visible through the sapphire case back, reinforces the narrative tribute. Gold-plated hands and appliques filled with Super-LumiNova® contrast with the deep blue dial for optimal legibility, while touches of 18-carat 5N gold on the crown and caseback ring add warmth and luxury. Only 100 pieces will be produced.

In a more compact and pared-down execution, the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW329501) introduces a platinum case measuring 43 mm in diameter—an elegant size that maintains the boldness of the Big Pilot’s design while offering improved wearability. Here, the tourbillon is positioned at 6 o’clock and benefits from a hacking function, allowing the wearer to halt the mechanism and set the time with precision. This watch is powered by the IWC-manufactured 82905 caliber, operating at 4 Hz (28,800 vph), with an 80-hour power reserve fueled by the brand’s proprietary Pellaton winding system—enhanced with zirconium oxide ceramic components for long-term durability. A brown calfskin strap with a platinum folding clasp complements the blue sunray-finished dial. Like its sibling, this model is limited—just 150 examples will be made.

Both watches feature sapphire glass with anti-reflective coatings and are water resistant to 10 bar, underscoring their tool-watch heritage. The rotor in both movements depicts the Little Prince standing on his tiny planet, a poetic detail that has become a hallmark of the line.

Since 2006, IWC has collaborated with the heirs of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and supports the Antoine de Saint Exupéry Youth Foundation, which promotes education, literacy, and opportunity for young people worldwide. These new models serve not only as mechanical showcases but as continued tributes to the values of imagination, adventure, and compassion expressed in Saint-Exupéry’s timeless tale.