The color of the sky, dreams, and flight.
IWC continues to leave hidden messages in the watch series created in partnership with the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation. These watch dials don't tell you much about the connection to the novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
There's just one hint that can only be found by fans of the Little Prince: the use of the color blue for the dial. But there are more obvious nods on the caseback: the movement's rotor is shaped like the "B-612" asteroid with the little interstellar traveler standing on it. IWC welcomed two novelties to this collection in one go in May.
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince Ref. IW504901
The most striking of them is also the first ceramic model in the series: the Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince. The imposing ceramic case measures 46.5 mm in diameter with an oversized winding crown made of gold, the same material used to make the ring of the caseback.
The look is completed by a blue textured rubber strap. At the same time, the watch also has some fine details to boast about. For example, its flying tourbillon that comprises 85 components weighs just 0.635 g. It's positioned at 12 o'clock.
Lower down at 3 o'clock is where you can find the indication for the IWC 51950 movement's week-long power reserve. This movement comprises 447 components and ensures accurate timekeeping for the calendar: the moon phase display will only deviate by one day in 577.5 years.
It's used in Portugieser Perpetual Calendar watches and the similar IW504803 model in red Armor Gold from 2021. Availability of the complicated watch is limited to 100 pieces. The second novelty is the Big Pilot's Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince. The model debuted in Armor Gold, but this new edition has been given a more luxurious platinum case.
The limited edition of 150 pieces come equipped with the automatic IWC 82905 movement with an 80-hour power reserve and Diamond Shell technology (a diamond coating applied to components in the movement to reduce friction). The platinum case is paired with a brown calfskin strap.