Key Highlights
- 42.9 mm white ceramic case with stainless steel crown and case back ring
- Deep blue sunray-finished dial in tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince
- First perpetual calendar with moon phase adjustable forwards and backwards via a single crown position
- IWC-manufactured calibre 82665 with reinforced Pellaton winding and 60-hour power reserve
- Double Moon® display with a deviation of just one day after 1040 years
IWC Schaffhausen continues its dialogue with literary heritage and high horology in the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet Le Petit Prince. The piece arrives as part of the brand’s ongoing series of special editions inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved tale, blending technical innovation with the visual codes that have defined the family for over a decade. Here, that signature deep blue dial is reframed inside a striking white ceramic case, a contrast that reads as both contemporary and considered.
A Case in White Ceramic
The 42.9-millimetre case is crafted from white ceramic, a material that is lighter than steel while remaining exceptionally hard and highly scratch-resistant. These properties have long made ceramic a desirable choice for serious wristwatches, and IWC’s command of the material is evident in the finishing and proportions of this Big Pilot’s Watch. A stainless steel crown and case back ring complement the ceramic, anchoring the watch’s monochrome shell with an architectural quality.
The Le Petit Prince Dial
At the heart of the design is a deep blue dial with a sunray finish, the hallmark of IWC’s Le Petit Prince editions. The gradient treatment lends the dial visual depth, darkening towards the periphery and drawing the eye inward. White printed numerals and indices stand out boldly against this backdrop, while rhodium-plated hands filled with Super-LumiNova® ensure excellent legibility, even in low-light conditions.
The ProSet Perpetual Calendar
The technical centrepiece is the Perpetual Calendar ProSet, the first perpetual calendar with a moon phase that can be adjusted both forwards and backwards via a single crown position. This design renders calendar corrections as easy and intuitive as setting the time, eliminating the careful sequencing usually associated with such complications. The achievement is made possible by a completely new module architecture, based entirely on gear wheels and protected by five patents.
Engineering Behind the Module
Many of the module’s components feature highly complex geometries and are manufactured using the LIGA process, a high-precision microstructuring technology that combines lithography and electroplating. The calendar displays the date, day of the week, month, and moon phase across four subdials, while the characteristic four-digit year display is positioned between 7 and 8 o’clock. The gear train driving the moon phase has also been re-engineered, resulting in a deviation of just one day after 1040 years. IWC’s signature Double Moon® display shows the moon as seen from both the northern and southern hemispheres.
Calibre 82665 and Wearability
The calendar module is integrated into the IWC-manufactured calibre 82665. The Pellaton winding system has been reinforced with components made from virtually wear-free ceramic, reliably building up a power reserve of 60 hours in the mainspring. On the wrist, the watch is fitted with a white rubber strap that can be exchanged effortlessly thanks to the integrated EasX-CHANGE® system, allowing owners to alternate straps to match the occasion.
Why It Matters
This release reframes one of IWC’s most recognisable complications with a forward-thinking material palette and a genuinely novel adjustment system, qualities that resonate strongly with GCC collectors who value both technical substance and distinctive aesthetics. The combination of white ceramic, the Le Petit Prince blue, and a perpetual calendar that can be set as easily as the time positions this Big Pilot’s Watch as a thoughtful contemporary statement within the family.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the perpetual calendar in the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet Le Petit Prince unique?
It is the first perpetual calendar with moon phase that can be adjusted both forwards and backwards via a single crown position, eliminating the careful sequencing usually required for calendar corrections. The module is protected by five patents and built on entirely new gear-wheel architecture.
What material is the 42.9 mm case made from and why was it chosen?
The case is crafted from white ceramic, a material that is lighter than steel while remaining exceptionally hard and highly scratch-resistant. A stainless steel crown and case back ring complement the ceramic, providing an architectural quality to the design.
What is the accuracy of the Double Moon display on this IWC watch?
The Double Moon display shows the moon as seen from both the northern and southern hemispheres with a deviation of just one day after 1040 years. The improved accuracy was achieved through re-engineering of the gear train driving the moon phase.
