When it comes to integrating a chronograph into the Big Pilot’s watch without making any changes to the iconic design, the only option available in including a monopusher chronograph. That is what Swiss watch brand IWC Schaffhausen did back in November 2021 with the launch of its first Big Pilot’s Watch with a monopusher chronograph. For 2022, IWC Schaffhausen expands on this surprising but logical concept with a second model – the Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition ‘Antoine de Saint Exupéry’. 

Limited to just 100 pieces, the newest addition to the Big Pilot’s Watch collection comes in an 18K 5N gold case and crown featuring a brown dial strapped to a brown calfskin strap. The tobacco-brown dial houses gold-plated hands that are coated with luminescence. The dial is deeply inspired by the by the flight suits worn back in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s time, the famous French pilot and author of The Little Prince. The whole point of adding a monopusher chronograph is to ensure the ease with which the chronograph can be controlled. All you need to do is push on a single push-button that is integrated into the crown allowing the watch to start a new timing. The second push stops the counting. A total of one hour stop times can be viewed via the display counter at 12 o’ clock. The chronograph is reset to zero once the button is pushed for the third time. Simple, right? The presence of a monopusher chronograph makes the watch extremely user-friendly and practical. 

The Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition ‘Antoine de Saint Exupéry’ is powered by the IWC-manufactured 59365 calibre that can be viewed via the sapphire glass case back. This movement is special as it is the only IWC chronograph movement that is wound manually. 70 revolutions of the crown are enough to build up the maximum power reserve of eight days. One can get a view the energy remaining in the mainspring via the power reserve indicator set on the back of the movement. 

Features: 

Mechanical movement
Monopusher chronograph with minutes and seconds stop function
Power reserve display
Date display
Small hacking seconds
Glass secured against displacement by drops in air pressure
See-through sapphire-glass back
Limited to 100 pieces

Movement: 

IWC-manufactured calibre 59365
Frequency: 28,800 vph / 4 Hz
Jewels: 36
Power reserve: 8 days (192 h)
Winding: Hand-wound

Watch details

Materials 18 carat 5N gold case and crown, brown dial, gold-plated hands, brown calfskin strap with red gold folding clasp

Glass Sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides

Water-resistant: 6 bar

Diameter: 46.2 mm

Height: 14.6 mm

The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Monopusher Edition ‘Antoine de Saint Exupéry’ is available at IWC boutiques, authorised retail partners or on IWC.com. In addition, the timepiece is eligible for registration under the My IWC care program and can benefit from a 6-year extension to the standard 2-year international limited warranty.

Image Courtesy: IWC Schaffhausen