Since 1868 Swiss
watch manufacturers IWC Schaffhausen have been creating masterpieces of
haute horlogerie that combine precision engineering with exclusive
design. Over the years, their straightforward, no-nonsense style has
appealed to adventurers far and wide—especially pilots.
Since the mid-2000s IWC has been
celebrating famed pilot and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry through
their dashing Pilot’s Watches. This special edition Antoine de Saint
Exupéry timepiece possesses a self-winding automatic movement and
features the Caliber 89361 and an impressive 68-hour power reserve.
Its stainless steel case, with a fixed stainless steel
bezel, measures 43 mm in diameter (excluding winding crown, pushers,
and lugs), is 12 mm in height, and rests upon a brown cowhide skin
leather strap with white stitching and a partially brushed and polished
deployant buckle. This handsome timepiece possesses a 50 m / 5 atm water
resistance, a screw-down winding crown, a scratch-resistant sapphire
crystal, and an engraved case back that depicts Saint Exupéry’s last
plane, the Lightning P-38.
The luminous sword-shaped silver-tone hands, Arabic
hour markers, and white minute track are made prominent against the
handsome brown sunburst-patterned dial. There is a center seconds hand, a
small seconds at 6 o’clock, and a dual 60-minute / 12-hour chronograph
sub-dial counter at 12 o’clock. A date window can be found at 6 o’clock
inside the small seconds counter. This watch comes with complete set of
original boxes, manual, warranty card and a tag. Originally, this
timepiece was sold in 2014.
Standout feature(s): Clever
chronograph function read-out; Impressive 68-hour power reserve;
celebration of author and pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupéry; case back
engraved with Saint-Exupéry’s last plane.
Details at a glance:
- Model Reference: IW3878-06
- Case Material: Brushed stainless steel
- Case Diameter: 43 mm
- Case Height: 12 mm
- Movement: Self-winding Automatic Chronograph
- Caliber: Caliber 89361, 68-hour power reserve
- Complication(s) / Feature(s): Standard time, chronograph, date
- Dial: Dark brown with sunburst pattern / Silvered sub-dials
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
- Winding Crown: Screw-down
- Water-resistance: 50 m / 5 atm
- Band: Brown cowhide leather
- Clasp: Stainless steel deployant buckle
- Origin: Switzerland
- Retail Value: $12,400
- Condition: Pre-owned,
excellent external condition and good operational order. There are small
scratches on the casing and the buckle. The watch was never polished,
and remains in its natural condition. The strap shows normal wear and
tear, and it's in excellent condition.
- Comments: Complete set of original boxes, operational manual, warranty card and a tag. Originally, this timepiece was sold in 2014.