IWC
Big Pilot's Watch Edition Le Petit Prince
IW500916
The celestial blue of Le Petit Prince in IWC's iconic 46 mm cockpit form.
An estimate from current market data — not an offer. Your actual value depends on condition, completeness, and authentication.
Get an instant offerFree insured shipping. Paid within 48 hours of inspection.
Overview
The IWC Big Pilot's Watch Edition Le Petit Prince (IW500916) pairs the commanding 46.2 mm stainless steel case of the Big Pilot line with a richly saturated blue dial inspired by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's beloved novella. Powered by IWC's in-house Calibre 52110, the reference brings together the brand's long-standing aviation heritage and its recurring Le Petit Prince thematic series. The result is one of the more recognisable expressions within the Big Pilot family, distinguished immediately by its deep celestial dial tone.
History
IWC introduced the Le Petit Prince dial theme across several of its core collections as an ongoing tribute to Saint-Exupéry, the French aviator and author whose connection to flight made him a natural muse for a pilot's watch manufacturer. The IW500916 was produced from 2016 to 2021, occupying a meaningful chapter in the Big Pilot's modern history before the line transitioned to updated references. During its production run it became one of the most sought-after blue-dial variants in the Big Pilot catalogue, cementing the Le Petit Prince designation as a signature aesthetic within IWC's pilot offerings.
Notable points
- The 46.2 mm stainless steel case follows the Big Pilot's traditional oversized proportions, rooted in the large-format instrument watches of mid-20th-century aviation.
- Calibre 52110 is an in-house IWC movement offering a seven-day power reserve, a hallmark feature of the Big Pilot line.
- The blue dial references the nocturnal sky imagery associated with Saint-Exupéry's Le Petit Prince, giving the watch an immediately distinctive identity on the wrist.
- A large, domed crown — a functional nod to gloved-hand operation in the cockpit — remains one of the Big Pilot's most recognisable design signatures.
- Produced across a five-year window from 2016 to 2021, the IW500916 represents a well-defined and complete production chapter within the reference's history.
