Named after the author of The Little Prince, also a noted aviator who disappeared over the sea in 1944, the IWC Pilot’s Watch “Antoine de Saint Exupéry” line-up gets a modest facelift, while retaining the signature look as well as cost-efficient movements (explaining the affordable prices).

The tweaks and tucks are minor, so the twin features that characterise the Saint-Exupery watches remain: a tobacco brown dial with a metallic finish, as well as a relief of the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, the type of reconnaissance aircraft the French author was flying when he vanished while on a reconnaissance mission off Corsica.

The Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 is the ladies’ watch of the line, with a 36mm steel case. It’s powered by the cal. 35111, which is a Sellita SW300. And like nearly all IWC pilot watches, this has an inner soft iron cage to shield the movement from magnetism. But unlike its larger siblings in the line, the 36mm model does not have an engraved airplane on the case back.

Essentially another variant of the recent Mark XI reissue, the Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Antoine de Saint Exupéry” is 40mm in diameter, and equipped with the same cal. 35111 and soft iron cage.

Last is the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Antoine de Saint Exupéry”, a chronograph powered by the Valjoux 7750. The case is 43mm in diameter and similar protected against magnetism.

Price and availability 

All three watches are fitted to calfskin straps produced by Santoni, the Italian shoemaker that supplies many of IWC’s watch bands. The new Saint-Exupery watches are available from IWC boutiques and retailers, priced as follows.

Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 (ref. IW324009) – US$3950 or S$6250

Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Antoine de Saint Exupéry” (ref. IW327003) – US$3950 or S$6250

Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Antoine de Saint Exupéry” (ref. IW377713) – US$4950 or S$7650

Addition July 11, 2017: Singapore dollar prices included.