IW500916 IWC Big Pilot’s Le Petit Prince

The IWC Big Pilot’s Le Petit Prince IW500916 is a captivating timepiece that blends iconic pilot watch design with a touch of whimsy inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exup??ry’s beloved novella. It’s a coveted piece among watch enthusiasts and collectors worldwide, renowned for its timeless aesthetics, impeccable craftsmanship, and reliable performance. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of its key features:

Design and Build:

Case: The IW500916 boasts a substantial 46.2mm stainless steel case, offering a commanding presence on the wrist. Stainless steel provides a perfect combination of durability, scratch resistance, and a timeless aesthetic.

Dial: The watch features a clean and legible midnight blue dial with large, luminescent Arabic numerals and feuille hands, creating a classic and timeless look. The midnight blue dial adds a touch of sophistication and uniqueness, while the white numerals and hands ensure excellent readability in various lighting conditions.

Crystal: A scratch-resistant sapphire crystal safeguards the dial, ensuring exceptional clarity and protection against everyday wear and tear.

Strap: The IW500916 comes with a luxurious dark blue calfskin strap with an EasX-CHANGE system, allowing for quick and easy strap changes without tools. The dark blue calfskin strap complements the midnight blue dial and stainless steel case perfectly, adding a touch of elegance to the overall look of the watch.

Movement:

Type: The IW500916 features a self-winding automatic movement, the IWC Calibre 51111 (based on the Sellita SW300-1). This robust mechanism offers exceptional timekeeping accuracy and functionality. The automatic movement eliminates the need for manual winding, ensuring convenient everyday wear.

Power Reserve: The power reserve likely falls around 42 hours, ensuring the watch continues to run for up to two days after being fully wound. This is sufficient for most daily wear.

Functions:

Time and Date: The watch features a classic three-hand configuration with central hour, minute, and seconds hands, along with a date window typically positioned at 3 o’clock for added functionality.

Water Resistance: The IWC Big Pilot’s Le Petit Prince IW500916 is water-resistant up to 6 bar (60 meters), providing protection against splashes and light rain. While not suitable for swimming or diving, it can withstand everyday wear without issue.

Special Features:

Le Petit Prince Engraving: On the caseback, you’ll find a charming engraving of the drawing of a fox and a star from Saint-Exup??ry’s Le Petit Prince, adding a unique touch to the watch.

Midnight Blue Dial: The midnight blue dial color is inspired by the night sky, a nod to the pilot’s heritage of the Big Pilot’s watch and the starry references in Le Petit Prince.

Overall Appeal:

The IWC Big Pilot’s Le Petit Prince IW500916 is a versatile timepiece that seamlessly blends classic pilot watch design with a touch of whimsy inspired by Le Petit Prince. The combination of the substantial stainless steel case, clean midnight blue dial, luxurious dark blue calfskin strap, reliable automatic movement, and special Le Petit Prince engraving makes it a perfect companion for both formal and everyday wear. With its water resistance up to 6 bar, it can withstand everyday use.

Additional Considerations:

Availability: The IW500916 might be readily available at 0fficial Verorized IWC retailers. However, it’s always recommended to check with multiple retailers for the latest information.

Alternatives: If you prefer a simpler design without the Le Petit Prince engraving and a lower price point, consider other IWC Big Pilot’s models like the IW500401 or IW500901. These models offer a similar design aesthetic with automatic movements and a power reserve of around 40 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions