IWC - Asteroid B-612 Online Auction: Inspired by a Saint-Exupéry Novel Hong Kong Tuesday, December 7, 2021 | Phillips
  • “Good morning,” the little prince said to the businessman. “Your cigarette has gone out.”

    “Three and two make five. Five and seven make twelve. Twelve and three make fifteen. Good morning. Fifteen and seven make twenty-two. Twenty-two and six make twenty-eight. I haven’t time to light it again. Twenty-six and give make thirty-one…”

    — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince

  • Catalogue Essay

    During 2005, IWC entered into a partnership with the Saint-Exupéry-d’Agay Estate whereby the heirs of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and IWC would collaborate in various ways especially relating to its interest in aviation, resulting their first retro-style chronograph reference IW3717. A man of dreams and adventure, Antonie de Saint-Exupéry was known not only for his most famous novel Le Petit Prince, he was also a French aviator and commercial pilot responsible for airmail routes and was part of the French Airforce during WWII. Considered as Saint-Exupéry most famous work, Le Petit Prince is a story of dreams narrated by a pilot stranded in the desert which parallels the author’s own experience in the Sahara Desert in 1935.

    Sharing the passion of aviation and story-telling, IWC launched the firm’s homage limited series of the IWC Le Petit Prince models in 2013. During the production span, all models were fitted with a desirable blue sunburst dial evoking the mystery of the night sky of the little prince. The present model IW500916 was released in 2016, a Big Pilot’s watch in a limited edition with an oversized steel case permitting the use of large dials for high legibility, and a large crown for ease of setting the hacking (or stop-seconds) mechanism. Featuring a large luminescent triangle at 12 o’clock with two dots on either side, the design was intended to allow a pilot to immediately orient the watch in any position. Housed inside this timepiece is the IWC calibre 51111 that beats at 21,600 vph with a 7-days power reserve of a week-long of adventures.

    Revealed on the caseback is the engraving of the famous prince in his cape and sword as a tribute to the classic tale. As quoted from Antonie de Saint-Exupéry, “Make your life a dream and a dream a reality.” The present timepiece is a combination of technology and poetry, and at the same time as a reminder to pursue one’s dreams. Preserved in excellent overall condition and further accompanied with its original warranty and presentation box, this is an excellent opportunity to acquire one of the IWC Le Petit Prince edition.

    • Manufacturer: IWC
      Year: 2016
      Reference No: IW500916
      Model Name: Big Pilot's Watch "Le Petit Prince" edition
      Dimensions: 46.2mm diameter
      Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

    • Artist Biography

      IWC

      Swiss • 1868

      With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world's leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of haute horlogerie at their finest, combining high precision with masculine design. Vintage wristwatches such as the oversized Portugieser, Aquatimer, Ingenieur and the B-UHR pilots watch are especially desirable for collectors.

      View More Works

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Ref. IW500916
A rare, attractive and oversized limited edition stainless steel wristwatch with center hacking seconds, 7-days power reserve, date indication, warranty and presentation box, made as a tribute to Le Petit Prince

2016
46.2mm diameter
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed

Full Cataloguing

Estimate
HK$50,000 - 80,000 
€5,700-9,100
$6,400-10,300

Sold for HK$56,700

Contact Specialist

Hin Hin Wong
Associate Specialist, 20th Century & Contemporary Art, Hong Kong
+852 2318 2013
hinhinwong@phillips.com

Asteroid B-612 Online Auction: Inspired by a Saint-Exupéry Novel

Online Auction 7-14 December 2021