IWC Le Petit Prince 2025: High-Horology Meets Storytelling in Tourbillon Releases

IWC’s High-Flying New Releases: The Le Petit Prince Tourbillon Duo

For fans of bold blue dials and haute horology, IWC has just launched two standout additions to its Le Petit Prince collection — the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince and the Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince.

These timepieces don’t just tell time — they tell a story.

Since 2013, IWC’s Le Petit Prince series has paid tribute to the literary magic of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved character, merging poetic design with serious mechanical prowess. And in 2025, the brand pushes that vision to new heights with blue ceramic and platinum cases, flying tourbillons, and one of the most whimsical moonphase complications on the market.

Perpetual Calendar & Tourbillon – A Starry Duo

The Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince (Ref

. IW504901) is IWC’s first Le Petit Prince crafted in striking blue ceramic, limited to just 100 pieces. The 46.5mm case is not for the faint of wrist, but its design balances size with elegance. Gold accents — from the 18-carat 5N crown to the hands and indices — add warmth to the sunray-brushed deep blue dial.

The watch is powered by the in-house 51950 calibre — a 447-part mechanical marvel boasting a flying tourbillon at 12 o’clock and a perpetual calendar designed by the legendary Kurt Klaus

. This calendar adjusts via the crown and only requires correction once every 577.5 years. Meanwhile, a delightful moonphase at 6 o’clock shows the Little Prince standing on asteroid B612 instead of the moon.

With a 7-day power reserve, 10-bar water resistance, and an exhibition case back showcasing its mechanical complexity, this watch is a celebration of both fantasy and finesse.

A textured blue rubber strap rounds out the package.

The More Wearable Platinum Prince

The Big Pilot’s Watch 43 Tourbillon Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW329501) is a more compact but no less impressive alternative. Limited to 150 pieces and crafted in platinum, this 43mm watch brings understated luxury to the collection. Its sunray blue dial features rhodium-plated hands and indices filled with Super-LumiNova, making it legible in any light.

At 6 o’clock, the flying minute tourbillon dances subtly without dominating the dial — a thoughtful integration some enthusiasts wish more brands would adopt. Inside ticks the IWC-manufactured calibre 82905, offering an 80-hour power reserve with the Pellaton winding system for efficiency and durability. Flip it over and you’ll find a rotor shaped like the Little Prince himself, floating over his tiny planet.

A brown calfskin strap with a platinum folding clasp finishes off this piece that’s as much about charm as it is about craftsmanship.

Balancing Art and Engineering

IWC’s Le Petit Prince collection has always added a dose of imagination to its pilot’s watch DNA. While some collectors find the fanciful elements a bit much — calling them “a bow tie on a tool watch” — others appreciate the blend of literature and luxury. There’s no denying the technical sophistication behind these pieces, even if the price tags ($113,000 for the Perpetual Calendar and $85,900 for the 43mm Tourbillon) remain a barrier for most fans.

Whether you’re drawn to the technical mastery of a 0.635-gram flying tourbillon or simply enchanted by a stargazing prince, IWC’s new releases show that storytelling still has a place in high-end watchmaking — even if that story comes with a six-figure price tag.