2007 IWC Pilot Chronograph 'Saint Exupéry' Limited 42mm IW371709

Here we have a 2007 IWC Pilot Chronograph 'Saint Exupéry' IW371709 limited to 1630 pieces. Celebrating 75 years since the book "Vol de Nuit" (Night Flight) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was published. When it first came out in 1931, it became an international bestseller. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a talented writer, artist, humanitarian, and engineer. He is best known for his beloved book, The Little Prince, which he wrote in 1943. Featuring a 42mm brushed stainless steel case that gently curves over your wrist with thick tapered lugs. A flowing, polished, chamfered edge leads to a comfortable lug-to-lug length of 51.5mm and a case thickness of 14.5mm, giving the watch an impressive wrist presence. On the right side, we have the chronograph pushers and a signed screw-down crown in the centre. A polished and brushed smooth bezel holds a convex sapphire crystal above a lovely brown dial. A precisely executed outer minute track surrounds the Arabic numerals, and baton indexes mark the hours, 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 at 9 o’clock. Sword hands filled with Super-LumiNova C1 are complemented by a tapered chronograph hand. At 3 o’clock, we have the IWC motif completing this literary-inspired chronograph. On the reverse, a screw-down solid case back, etched with the details of the watch, its limited number and a portrait of the pilot in his helmet 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 with its original 21mm IWC strap and signed clasp, plus an old IWC leather strap and an IWC NATO. This watch is sold with its original black IWC box, which is sticky and flaking inside, as usual, and its paperwork.

This watch is sold with its original black IWC box, which is sticky and flaking inside, as usual, and its paperwork. It comes with its original 21mm IWC strap and signed clasp, plus an old IWC leather strap and an IWC NATO. The watch is from August 2007 and is sold in worn condition, but overall, it is in fair condition, as you can see from the photos. The watch comes with our 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty.

This wonderful limited edition IWC Pilot Chronograph 'Saint Exupéry, reference IW371709, is an absolute dream on the wrist with its striking brown dial and subtle highlights. Celebrating 75 years since the book "Vol de Nuit" (Night Flight) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was published. When it first came out in 1931, it became an international bestseller. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a talented writer, artist, humanitarian, and engineer. I would not hesitate to add this brilliant limited edition to your collection today!

Reference : IW371709
Movement : Automatic IWC Cal. 79320
Age : August 2007
Year : 2007
Case Size : 42mm
Case Thickness : 14.5mm
Lug to Lug : 51.5mm
Lugs : 21mm
Condition : Pre-Owned
Box and Papers : Box & Papers
Case Material : Stainless Steel
Warranty : 12-Months NON-Waterproof Warranty
The wrist model's wrist size is 7inch

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 Armouries at Springfield and Harpers 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.