IWC – BIG PILOT's Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition "Le Petit Prince"

IWC Schaffhausen – BIG PILOT's Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition "Le Petit Prince" Special Editions

LE PETIT PRINCE: 

MASTERPIECES OF HAUTE HORLOGERIE

Since 2005, IWC has been in collaboration with the family of French aviator and author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. This partnership has already seen a variety of special editions launched within the Pilot’s Watches collection. While some pay tribute to the life and accomplishments of the great humanist himself, others are dedicated to his most famous literary work "The Little Prince" (Le Petit Prince). These timepieces, characterised by their distinctive midnight blue dials, have been a highly regarded addition to the Pilot’s Watch collections since 2013. And at the upcoming SIHH, the manufacturer will now be adding some exclusive models to this line.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

One such model is the Big Pilot’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition "Le Petit Prince" (ref. IW590303). It is the first pilot's watch from IWC to feature a constant- force tourbillon. It is available with a hard gold case and is limited to 10 watches.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

This is the first time IWC has produced a watch with hard gold, a special new version of red gold. The microstructure of the alloy is modified in a sophisticated manufacturing process. Hard gold is therefore significantly harder and around 5 to 10 times more wear-resistant than conventional red gold. As a result, the material is perfectly suited to the large case and the crown of a Big Pilot’s Watch.

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The patented constant-force tourbillon is the IWC engineers' answer to a centuries-old challenge in the field of watchmaking: As the tension in the spring of a mechanical wristwatch slackens over time, less force is transferred to the escapement via the dial train, which in turn decreases the amplitude of the balance. This has a negative impact on the precision of the watch. The patented constant-force mechanism separates the escapement from the direct flow of force from the dial train and with every second re-tensions a balance spring, which serves as a temporary store of energy and transfers absolutely even force pulses to the escape wheel. Integrated into a tourbillon, which also eliminates the influence of gravity on the oscillating system, the result is extraordinary precision.

Click, to see the large size. ▶ BIG FOTO

The IWC-manufactured calibre 94805 combines a constant-force tourbillon with a perpetual moon phase display, which takes 577.5 years to require adjustment by one day. The "Petit Prince" stands on the moon. Two barrels store enough power for 96 hours. A display notifies the wearer of the remaining power reserve.

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Available model - Platinum case, blue dial, rhodium-plated hands, brown calf leather strap (Ref. IW590302)
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Technical Specifications

Model BIG PILOT’s Watch Constant-Force Tourbillon Edition "Le Petit Prince"

REF. IW590303 - Gold
REF. IW590302 - Platinum

FEATURES
Mechanical movement – Power reserve display
– Tourbillon with integrated constant-force mechanism
– Perpetual moon phase display
– See-through sapphire glass back
– Screw-in crown
– Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure
– Limited to 10 watches

MOVEMENT 
Winding Hand-wound
IWC manufacture calibre 94805
Frequency 18,800 vph / 2.5 Hz
Tourbillon with integrated constant-force mechanism
Jewels 41
Power reserve display
Power reserve 4 days (96 h)
CASE
Materials 18 carat hard gold case,
Diameter 46.2 mm
Height 13.5 mm
Crystal Sapphire, arched edge, anti-reflective coating on both sides
Water-resistance 6 bar
DIAL
Blue dial, gold-plated hands,
STRAP
Brown calf leather strap
Folding clasp in stainless steel

– Limited Edition of 10 pieces


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Press releases - 2019
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 IWC Schaffhausen
Uwe Liebminger
Department Manager Public Relations
Mobile  +41 (0)79 957 72 52
E-mail  uwe.liebminger@iwc.com
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