It has been 20 years since IWC started collaboration with the heirs of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry on the Le Petit Prince collection. A series of pilot’s watches inspired by the tale of a pilot who crashes in the desert and meets a small prince who has been travelling across many planets on a voyage of discovery. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry himself was also a pilot, making for a natural connection with IWC. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the collection, IWC has launched a full revamp to the core Le Petit Prince series.
IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic and Mark XX Le Petit Prince
The IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic and Mark XX Le Petit Prince are the most quintessential expressions of the series. Measuring 36mm for the Automatic or 40mm in diameter for the Mark XX, with a steel case, they’re based on the modern interpretation of IWC’s historic military pilot’s watch. That means a super legible display with large, lumed hour markers and matching hands – the major visual difference between the Automatic and Mark XX being the presence of a date window on the Mark XX.
What marks it as a Le Petit Prince edition is the signature blue sunray brushed dial. It gives the watch a bit more of a casual vibe compared to the militaristic black and white of the standard edition. Though while it is casual in the sense of being a civilian model, the Le Petit Prince series is technically more of a dress watch interpretation of their Pilot’s Watches. Which is why in addition to the stainless steel edition, there is also gold version.
Both the steel and gold Mark XX are powered by the calibre 32112 with 120-hour power reserve and automatic winding while the Automatic uses the calibre 32102, which has the same specs sans date function. In classic Le Petit Prince style, they feature commemorative casebacks depicting the prince standing on his home asteroid B-612. The Mark XX is £4,800 in steel and £18,100 in gold, the Automatic is £4,800.
Price and Specs:
IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Le Petit Prince
There are a couple of Pilot’s Watch Chronograph editions in the revamped Le Petit Prince line. Each following the core design features of the Le Petit Prince series including that signature blue sunray brushed dial and commemorative caseback.
First up are two steel editions that measure 41mm and 43mm in diameter respectively. They’re very traditional versions of IWC’s quintessential pilot watch chronograph, allowing pilots to perform precisely timed manoeuvres or aid in navigation. However, more exciting that the steel editions is the introduction of a brand new white ceramic edition at 41mm. It adds the high end material to the core Le Petit Prince collection beyond last year’s haute horology perpetual calendar tourbillon version.
In addition to the white ceramic case, the ceramic edition mixes things up further by introducing a subtle fumé gradient to the dial. It has the signature blue in the centre of the display but fades towards black around the edge. It adds a lot of depth to the dial and makes the watch stand out even in a line-up alongside the other watches in the series.
The two steel editions house the calibre 69385 while the ceramic houses the calibre 69381, which are from the same family of 69000 movements and share the same specs with a 46-hour power reserve and 4Hz frequency. It’s £5,900 – £10,100 depending on the variant.
Price and Specs:
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Proset Le Petit Prince
The Perpetual Calendar Proset is not just a new watch in the Le Petit Prince line but a new addition to IWC’s range in general, which is why we have already talked about it in our article on IWC’s 2026 novelties. We’re including it again here for the sake of a complete overview of the updated Le Petit Prince range.
In brief, the Proset is a completely re-engineered take on IWC’s perpetual calendar movements that simplifies how the functions are set, meaning the entire watch is controlled from the crown. It makes it significantly easier to reset the watch when the power runs down, a great boost to quality of life. Previously you had to refer to a complex manual and all manner of hidden buttons to set the watch, but now no more.
There are two versions of the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Proset in the Le Petit Prince line, one in stainless steel and the other in white ceramic. The steel version is 42mm at £29,500 while the ceramic is slightly larger at 42.9mm and £31,800. Naturally both house the new Proset calibre 82665 with 60-hour power reserve.
Price and Specs:
IWC Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 Le Petit Prince
For the first time, the Le Petit Prince series expands beyond the borders of the Pilot’s Watch collection to include a Portofino model. The 20th anniversary is a fitting moment to expand the line and since the Le Petit Prince is naturally on the dressier side, the Portofino is the logical choice. Especially at the very slim 34mm x 8.9mm sizing here with.
We see again the signature blue sunray brushed dial of the Le Petit Prince collection though the hour markers here are set with gems for added luxury. The titular Day & Night function is presented at 6 o’clock via a rotating disk decorated with a sun and moon. The moon also features a depiction of the small prince standing on its surface staring out at the stars. The 24-hour disk plus the hands and baton hour markers are gold-plated, further tying into the dress watch element of the design.
It’s powered by the calibre 35180 with 50-hour power reserve. Honestly if they did a larger 37mm – 39mm it would become a great unisex design. At the moment it’s aimed in a distinctly feminine direction. It’s £5,800.
Price and Specs:
More details at IWC.
