IWC presents the first Big Pilot’s Watch with a chronograph function

IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled the Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition ‘Le Petit Prince’, the first Big Pilot’s Watch with a chronograph function. The mechanical stopwatch is controlled via a single push-button which is beautifully integrated into the distinctive conical crown. Limited to 500 pieces, this “Le Petit Prince” edition features the characteristic deep-blue sunburst dial and a stainless-steel case.

Chronographs are a core competence of IWC. The mechanical stopwatch is also a mainstay in the brand’s Pilot’s Watches collection. Now, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer pairs its most iconic aviator’s watch with a chronograph function for the first time.

“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. 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,” explains Christian Knoop, Creative Director of IWC Schaffhausen.

The monopusher chronograph is controlled via a single push-button integrated into the crown, making it exceptionally user-friendly and practical. When the button is pushed once, a new timing starts. Pressing the button a second time stops the timing. 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.

In the tradition of IWC’s special editions in honour of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s world-famous novel, the Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Le Petit Prince” features the signature deep-blue sunburst dial. It is complemented with a stainless-steel case and rhodium- plated hands. In addition, the hands, indices, and applied numerals have been coated with luminous material to make the dial easier to read at night.

The IWC-manufactured 59365 calibre is one of three in-house chronograph movements from IWC. Alongside the movements from the 69000 and 89000 calibre families, it underscores the comprehensive expertise that IWC has acquired in the design and manufacturing of chronographs. In addition, it is also the brand’s only chronograph movement that is wound manually: 70 revolutions of the crown are enough to build up the maximum power reserve of eight days. A power-reserve indication on the back of the movement, which can be seen through the sapphire-glass case back, shows the energy remaining in the mainspring.

Fitted with a brown calfskin strap with a folding clasp, the Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition “Le Petit Prince” is available through IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners or online on IWC.com. In addition, the timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care programme and can benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year International Limited Warranty.