2017 IWC Pilot's Chronograph 'Le Petit Prince' Blue 43mm IW377714
Ref: IW377714
Specification
Lugs : 21mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box & Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months Warranty
Points of Mention
This watch is sold with its original IWC presentation box, its surface is sticky, as they typically go after time, and original IWC paperwork. The watch is from April 2017. It comes paired with a 21mm calf skin leather strap and signed pin buckle. The watch is in worn condition, but overall, it is in very fair condition, as you can see in the photos. The watch comes with our 12-Months Warranty.
For more photos see here - https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1K0H32dGj71I7XKLu7OMWR-FtRzvXkooh?usp=drive_link
4K YouTube video, skip to 19:22 - https://youtu.be/wx86ZfP2KZo
The Watch
Here we have a 2017 IWC Pilot's Chronograph 'Le Petit Prince' Blue 43mm IW377714, the “Le Petit Prince” was written in 1942 by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who was a French aristocrat, writer, and military aviator. IWC has worked closely with its descendants since 2005 and has auctioned off many special timepieces to raise funds for its charity to help children and young people in unfortunate circumstances. The 43mm satin brushed stainless steel case has a soft iron inner case that protects the watch from a magnetic field, similar to a Faraday cage. The subtle curve of the case leads to a lug-to-lug length of 53mm and a case thickness of 14.5mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. Down the right side, we have the polished chronograph pushers and a screw-down signed crown in the centre, a smooth bezel with chamfered edges, and a convex sapphire crystal AR coated on both sides. A glossy deep blue sunburst dial has an outer minute track with baton indexes coated in Super-LumiNova C1 luminance marking the hours, large Arabic numerals lay just underneath again coated in Super-LumiNova C1 luminance with the triangle and pips at 12 o’clock, a characteristic seen on many pilot timepieces, at 3 o’clock a day/date window. The chronograph consists of a 30-minute register at 12 o’clock, a 12-hour register at 6 o’clock and finally, a running seconds register with a red hand at 9 o’clock. Each register has a concentric circular pattern. Elegant Alpha hands coated in luminance complemented with a tapered chronograph hand, at 3 o’clock, we have the IWC motif completing this military-inspired chronograph. On the reverse, a screw-down case back with the “Little Prince” engraved in the centre. Inside an automatic IWC Cal. 79320, 25 jewels, 28,800 beats per hour, based on the ETA 7750 movement, IWC modified it to their exact specifications. It comes paired with a 21mm calf skin leather strap and signed pin buckle. The watch also comes with its IWC presentation box and papers.
Personal Note
The IWC Pilot's Chronograph is an icon among the watch world, and this 'Le Petit Prince' is a great option for someone wanting that pop of colour on the wrist. Coming in at 43mm, this reference IW377714 demands its wrist presence but wears surprisingly well, even on my 7-inch wrist. This is likely helped by the wonderful shade of blue used on the dial, which softens the overall look on and off the wrist. I would not hesitate to book an appointment to try this one on for yourself!
The Brand
In 1867, a passionate visionary named Florentine embarked on a quest to revolutionise the art of watchmaking in Europe by applying for a passport. Fueled by the ambition to craft timepieces using the innovative American system of watchmaking, he drew inspiration from the renowned Federal Armories at Springfield and Harper's Ferry. This meticulous system was designed for armaments requiring precision-engineered interchangeable parts—an ideal match for the world of horology. As a true pioneer, Florentine was instrumental in introducing this groundbreaking approach to the Swiss watchmaking industry. By 1868, Florentine had arrived in the picturesque town of Schaffhausen, Switzerland, where he teamed up with Charles Kidder. Together, they founded a company originally named F. A. Jones & Co. This name would evolve into the iconic IWC International Watch Company, a brand that would come to symbolise excellence in watchmaking. In 1876, after years of dedication, Florentine returned to the United States, where he eventually retired, leaving behind a legacy that lasted until his passing in 1916. The year 1885 marked a significant milestone for IWC with the launch of the first pocket watches featuring a revolutionary digital hours and minutes display known as the Pallweber system. As time progressed, the company continued to break new ground, producing one of the first ladies' wristwatches in 1899, showcasing IWC's commitment to innovation and inclusivity in horological design. In 1905, Ernst Jakob Homberger took over IWC's management on behalf of Rauschenbach's heirs, eventually becoming the sole owner after acquiring C.G. Jung's holdings in 1929. The following years saw remarkable advancements, such as the introduction of IWC's first pilot's watch in 1936, which featured a clever rotating bezel and indicator to log take-off times. The iconic Portuguese watch was designed in 1939, followed closely by the creation of the Big Pilot 52T SC, which catered to a growing demand for larger timepieces with a central second hand. During the tumultuous times of World War II, IWC introduced its first W.W.W. military watch in 1944, specifically crafted for the British military. Four years later, the Pilot's Watch Mark 11 was designed, incorporating an iron cage to protect against magnetic fields. A pivotal moment came in 1950 when Albert Pellaton unveiled the Calibre 85, IWC's first automatic movement featuring an innovative patented pawl-winding system. In 1955, Hans Ernst Homberger became the last private owner of IWC, continuing the legacy of craftsmanship and innovation. The late 1960s brought new challenges with the quartz crisis; however, IWC managed to adapt and evolve. In 1967, they launched the Aquatimer dive watch, and in collaboration with other Swiss brands, they participated in the development of the Beta 21 quartz movement in 1969. The renowned watch designer Gerald Genta made his mark in 1976 with the creation of the iconic Ingenieur, symbolising elegance and engineering prowess. A significant shift occurred in 1978 when German instrument manufacturer VDO Adolf Schindling AG acquired IWC, marking a new era for the brand. During this time, F. A. Porsche designed a groundbreaking chronograph, recognised as the world's first timepiece encased in titanium, a material primarily used in the aviation industry. The spirit of innovation that Florentine nurtured throughout his life continues to resonate in modern IWC watches. In 1990, the company unveiled a horological masterpiece: the Grand Complication, featuring a perpetual calendar, minute repeater, and moon phase indicator—a true testament to IWC's craftsmanship. At the prestigious Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva in 2000, IWC dazzled attendees with the introduction of the Big Pilot's Watch. The watch showcased an exceptional automatic 7-day movement that earned accolades from watch enthusiasts and collectors alike. Since then, IWC has become an esteemed member of the Richemont Group, a collective of luxury brands. In 2017, IWC unveiled its groundbreaking invention, “Ceratanium®,” a unique blend of titanium and ceramic alloy meticulously engineered over five years of research and development. This remarkable material combines the lightweight nature of titanium with the strength and scratch resistance of ceramic, yielding a sleek, stealthy black finish that has since become iconic. Today, IWC continues to push the boundaries of watchmaking, consistently innovating and expanding the horizons of horological artistry while honouring its rich heritage.