IWC launches new limited edition watch Antoine de saint–exupery for the me
New limited edition watch celebrates life of talented aviator and author
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry epitomised the life of the great pioneer. Not only was he an adventurous aviator, trail-blazing his way across new flying routes in canvass-skinned biplanes, but he was also a talented writer with a poetic feel for the human condition, capturing his thoughts and insights in best-selling works that appealed to both adults and children alike.
Saint-Exupéry is perhaps best known for his novel, “Le Petit Prince” (The Little Prince), published in 1943, which has been translated into many languages and, to date has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide, making it the most popular children’s story ever. The French author also wrote about his exciting experiences as a pilot during the days of forging the first mail routes, in the novels “Vol de nuit” (Night Flight) and “Courrier Sud” (Southern Mail).
The Pilot’s Watch Automatic Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry features an automatic movement with a power reserve display, large seconds and a date indicator that resembles the altimeter display in an aircraft. The watch shares the same external characteristics of the first edition of the novel: tobacco-coloured dial, large, luminous Arabic numerals and substantial hands, which also glow in the dark. A new feature is the power reserve display – previously something of a rarity at IWC. The silver initial “A” from Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s signature again decorates the dial, this time level with the date display. The watch is provided with the classic protection against magnetic fields by an inner case made of soft iron, has a screw-in crown, is water-resistant to 6 bar (60 m) and has a convex sapphire glass with antireflective coating on both sides. This special timepiece is worn on a brown, solid buffalo leather strap and an exclusive, limited edition of the novel around which everything revolves, is also included in the price, from the Parisian publishing house of Gallimard. Of the 1,929 watches produced, 1,178 watches will be in stainless steel, 500 in rose gold, 250 in white gold and a single piece in platinum, which will eventually be auctioned for a good cause.
As a postscript to the disappearance of Saint-Exupéry, in 1998, two years before the wreckage of his aircraft had been located, a fisherman found what was reported to be the pilot’s silver chain bracelet in the ocean to the east of the island of Riou, south of Marseille. At first it was thought to be a hoax, as the probability of finding of such a personal effect by chance would be
incalculably slim. However, it was later positively identified, being engraved with the names of his wife, Consuelo and his publishers, Reynal & Hitchcock. It had been retrieved hooked to a piece of fabric from his pilot's suit.
