Sotheby’s Offers IWC Schaffhausen “Little Prince” Watch for Auction
Sotheby’s next sale of Important Watches is coming up on November 10 and one of the most talked-about pieces is sure to be the totally unique “Little Prince” timepiece from IWC Schaffhausen. This watch skillfully combines a whimsical tale with Swiss craftsmanship.
The Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition “Le Petit Prince” has all the usual features one would expect from a pilot’s watch like the chronograph split-seconds hand complication, automatic winding, aggregate time recording up to 12 hours and extra protection against magnetic fields. Two stopwatch hands mounted one above the other make possible astoundingly accurate intermediate times.
That’s the practical side of “Le Petit Prince” but the lighter side of this timepiece is equally captivating. Each stage of the folk tale “The Little Prince” is represented in the watch, including the character’s fantasy journey to seven planets and those he meets along the way. The deep blue dial contains a jumping star display that lights up with a different golden star for each day of the week, with one for each planet visited by the “Little Prince.” The names of the planets and their inhabitants are engraved on the case back while the reverse side of the case shows in which realm the boy may be found at the time.
Proceeds from the sale of the red gold Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition “Le Petite Prince” by IWC Schaffhausen will go to benefit the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation. This charitable organization provides education and training to disadvantaged young people worldwide.
Tim Bourne, Sotheby’s Worldwide Head of Watches gave this statement: “It is a pleasure to offer this specially-designed IWC timepiece as part of our November 10th auction in Geneva. The watch combines a wonderfully striking design with technical workmanship of the highest order. We are delighted to once again join forces with IWC Schaffhausen in support of work of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation.”
