Celebrating 20 Years of the Le Petit Prince: IWC’s New Pilot’s Watch Collection
In celebration of two decades of collaboration with the estate of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, IWC has unveiled five stunning new models in the Le Petit Prince collection. These Pilot’s Watches are crafted in both 5N gold and steel, showcasing a variety of case sizes from 36mm to 43mm. This collection includes time-only models as well as chronographs, and introduces the highly anticipated Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Le Petit Prince, featuring a distinctive 41.9mm white zirconium oxide ceramic case.
Exploring the Magic of The Little Prince
Published in 1943, Saint-Exupéry’s beloved story, The Little Prince, follows a young prince who journeys from his asteroid, B-612, to various planets, encountering unique characters along the way. Through these encounters, themes of relationships, loss, and human nature emerge. IWC has celebrated this timeless narrative in a series of themed editions over the past 20 years, often characterized by deep blue dials that evoke the night sky. At the recent Watches and Wonders 2026, six new Le Petit Prince timepieces made their debut.
Introducing the 20th-Anniversary Le Petit Prince Editions
The collection kicks off with two Mark XX models in gold and steel, plus two steel chronographs in 43mm and 41mm sizes, along with a steel Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36. The Mark XX is offered in both stainless steel and 18K 5N (red) gold. All models come with captivating deep blue sunray dials, paired with either white printed numerals or applied gold indexes. Gold-plated hands filled with luminous material complete the sophisticated look. Each watch also features a case back that pays homage to the Little Prince, with engravings or motifs adorning the sapphire crystal.
The steel Mark XX (ref. IW328221, €5,800 / US$5,800 / £4,800) features a 40mm diameter and 10.8mm thickness. Slightly thicker than its red gold counterpart (ref. IW328301, €23,100 / US$22,500 / £18,100), which measures 40 × 10.1mm, both models are powered by the automatic IWC caliber 32112, boasting an impressive power reserve of approximately 120 hours.
Both Mark XX models feature a blue rubber strap with a convenient quick-release system and an 18K 5N gold pin buckle. The gold version showcases an attractive tinted sapphire display on its case back, featuring an illustration of the Little Prince, while the steel model boasts a solid, engraved case back.
Charming Chronographs in Two Sizes
The chronograph portion of the collection features models in 41mm and 43mm sizes, powered by the caliber 69385, which has a column-wheel architecture and a 46-hour power reserve. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Le Petit Prince (ref. IW378011, €8,000 / US$7,700 / £6,200) measures 43 × 14.8mm, while the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Le Petit Prince (ref. IW388120, €7,800 / US$7,500 / £5,900) measures 41 × 14.5mm. Both chronographs also feature dial-matching blue rubber straps.
Meet the Smallest Little Prince
The smallest of the new additions is the Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 Le Petit Prince (ref. IW458802, €5,400 / US$5,300 / £4,190), featuring a delicate 36 × 9.9mm case, powered by the caliber 32102 with a 120-hour reserve. This model stands out with its clear night-sky blue dial, protected by a convex sapphire crystal that has anti-reflective coating on both sides. While the other models sport blue rubber straps, this elegant piece comes equipped with a refined blue calfskin strap.
Like all Mark XX Le Petit Prince models, this 36mm watch has an all-steel case back, detailed with an engraving of the watch’s namesake. Regardless of case material, all models in this collection are water-resistant up to 100 meters.
The Eye-Catching Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Le Petit Prince
Highlighting the collection is the stunning Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Le Petit Prince (ref. IW389410, €12,900 / US$12,900 / £10,100) in a striking white ceramic case. With a diameter of 41.9mm and a thickness of 15.5mm, this remarkable watch stands out. While the main case is made of white zirconium oxide ceramic, the screw-down crown, pushers, and case back are crafted from titanium, ensuring durability. The timepiece also features a soft-iron inner case that protects against magnetic fields.
The deep blue sunburst dial features a stunning gradient effect, paired with white-printed numerals and indexes for enhanced readability. Rhodium-plated hands filled with luminous material ensure this watch performs as a reliable instrument for any pilot. Although the titanium case back conceals the in-house caliber 69380, it features an engraving of the Little Prince, giving it a unique touch. The 4Hz automatic column-wheel chronograph movement tracks hours, minutes, and small hacking seconds at 6 o’clock, along with a central second counter, a 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock, and a 30-minute counter at 12 o’clock. It also features a day and date display at 3 o’clock reminiscent of previous Valjoux 7750 IWC chronographs.
Interestingly, this timepiece departs from the blue rubber strap design. Instead, it comes with a matching white rubber strap complete with IWC’s EasX-Change system for easy adjustments.
What do you think of this stunning new collection? A deep blue dial always carries a sense of elegance, don’t you agree? And how about that striking white and blue chronograph? We’d love to hear your thoughts! Please share your opinions in the comments section below.