Introducing: The IWC Pilots Watch Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Edition 'Le Petit Prince

January 13, 2019

What we have here is a solid gold perpetual calendar chronograph that sits right near the top of IWC's most complicated timepieces. It's also a special edition in the Petit Prince sub-collection, named for the classic children's book written by the French aviator and author Antoine de Saint-Exupry, and characterized by midnight blue dials.?This is also the second appearance of the IWC 89630 movement that debuted in IWC's Da Vinci line, and the?first time that IWC has offered a perpetual calendar chronograph as a pilot's watch. At 43mm in diameter and close to 16mm thick, this is no doubt a large watch, but that's in keeping with IWC's design style. This is a complicated watch, for sure, but it's also a sports watch through and through. Initial Thoughts Who needs a perpetual calendar while flying a plane? If you're asking that question, then may just be missing the point of this red gold pilot's watch.?Recognizing that the watches they make are as much about style and collectors' interest in watchmaking complications as about sheer utility, IWC has long been a pioneer in pairing horologically impressive mechanisms associated with dress watches with sport and tool watch cases.? The perpetual calendar is also a very special complication to IWC. It was the company's legendary design engineer Kurt Klaus who pioneered an innovative way to construct this complex mechanism around the base of of a Valjoux 7750, making the perpetual calendar more affordable and therefore more accessible to a greater number of collectors. This history of innovation in the perpetual calendar has made it a go-to complication for IWC, and one that is seen across several product families and types of watches. The Basics Brand: IWCModel: Pilots Watch Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince"Reference Number: IW392202Diameter: 43mmThickness: 15.9mmCase Material: 18k red goldDial Color: BlueIndexes: Applied, lume-filled gold numerals, marker at 12 o'clockLume: Yes, on hands and numeralsWater Resistance: 60 metersStrap/Bracelet: Brown leather strap The Movement Caliber: IWC 89630Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, perpetual calendar with displays for the day, date, month, leap year, and moon phasePower Reserve: 68 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)Jewels: 51 Pricing & Availability Price: $38,300Availability: Not yet announcedLimited Edition: 250 piecesFor more click here.