Marking a first for the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, IWC Schaffhausen has fitted its signature aviator’s watch with a chronograph function. While chronographs have long been a core focus at IWC and have featured across the brand’s broader range of Pilot’s Watches, the release of the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Le Petit Prince” sees the function combined with the timepiece the Swiss watch manufacturer is most renowned for.
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As is likely discernable from its lengthy moniker, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Le Petit Prince” features a monopusher chronograph; that is, the mechanical stopwatch is controlled via a single push-button seamlessly integrated into the distinct conical crown. Functional and user-friendly, the first push of the button sets off a new timing, with the second stopping it. Stop times of up to one hour are displayed on the totaliser at 12 o’clock. When the button is pushed a third time, the chronograph is reset to zero.
“IWC has always been about tackling engineering challenges and finding technically elegant solutions. We have had the idea to present a Big Pilot’s Watch with a chronograph function for some time now,” shared Christian Knoop, creative director at IWC Schaffhausen. “However, one can hardly imagine the unmistakable design with the large case and conical crown with two chronograph pushers on the side of the case. Therefore, we hit upon the surprising and at the same time logical idea to integrate a monopusher chronograph.”
In keeping with the Swiss watch manufacturer’s special edition watches honouring French aviator and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s famous novel, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Le Petit Prince” takes on a deep blue sunburst dial. The hue is complemented by a stainless steel cause and rhodium-plated hands. Luminous material coating the hands, indices, and applied numerals work to make the dial easier to read at night.
Featuring an IWC-manufactured 59365 calibre – one of three in-house chronograph movements from IWC – with a maximum power reserve of eight days, the movement is the brand’s only manually wound iteration. A sapphire glass caseback displays the movement, with a visible power receive indication showing the energy remaining in the mainspring.
Fitted with a brown leather strap with a folding clasp, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Le Petit Prince” is available through the IWC webstore and physical stores around the world.
Words by AR Staff
