In 2016, the annual calendar makes its debut appearance in the Pilot’s Watches from. The Replica IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince” is dedicated to the leading figure in the eponymous fairy tale. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a man of two talents: on the one hand, the world-famous poet and author of the fabulous tale of “The Little Prince”; on the other, the pragmatic pilot, technician and owner of patents relating to flying. The Big Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince” likewise connects the two worlds of flying and writing, technology and poetry.
In the front of the Big Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince”, the feature that stands out first and foremost is the attractive colour combination. Combined with the red gold of the case, hands and appliqués as well as the dark brown of the Santoni calfskin strap, the shimmering blue sun-pattern finish on the dial underscores the exclusive character of this timepiece. If we look more closely, we discover three separate windows, arranged in a semi- circle at “12 o’clock”, which show the month, date and day of the week. A year after the launch of the annual calendar, this is the first Pilot’s Watch to feature this particular complication. The advance mechanism requires correction just once a year, in February. The appearance of the cheap fake watches is underpinned by thoughtful details such as the white and red gold outlines of the hands, numerals and appliqués, the polished bezel on the satin-finished case and the beige-coloured ornamental seams on the strap. The hands and indicators are coated with white Super-LumiNova® and guarantee excellent legibility even when visibility is poor.
“The Little Prince” is among the world’s most broadly read books. Now, for that seventh time, replica IWC is creating a unique edition of the greatest- seller and immortalizes the small prince on the opposite side from the Large Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince”. With the large azure-glass back, the small prince is visible sitting on his small asteroid – the rotor – and looking in the heavens with wide-open eyes. The small, flower-bedecked asteroid may be the weight that re- volves eccentrically around its very own axis. Free-standing, and acting to some extent like a counterweight, the hero from the tale rotates too, the movement a picture reflecting the small prince’s journey. It requires him in one unusual inhabitant to another, right up until he lands back on his home planet together with his beloved rose.
Based on a drawing by Saint-Exupéry himself, the rotor involved an enormous amount of intricate design and was finally crafted in solid red gold. The interplay of sandblasted and polished surfaces on the rotor brings every single detail of the sketch to life.The IWC-manufactured 52850 calibre has twin barrels to deliver the higher torque needed to drive the annual calen- dar’s three display discs. In addition, when fully wound, the two barrels supply enough energy for a full week’s power reserve.