IWC

• cal. 52850 automatic blued lever movement with ceramic components, 36 jewels, 22k pink gold rotor in the form of boy atop a planet with flowers • midnight blue sunburst dial, red gold applied luminous Arabic numerals, baton and triangle indexes, outer minute track with 1/5 seconds divisions, fan form display at 12 with triple apertures for month, date and day, two recessed engine-turned subsidiary dials for power reserve at 3 and constant seconds at 9, red gold luminous hands • 18k red gold satin finished case, screw-down oversized crown and sapphire crystal display back • dial, case and movement signed

The movement is running at the time of cataloguing, chronograph functional, however the timepiece has not been tested for the accuracy of its time keeping and may need servicing at the buyers discretion. Please not Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement. Watch in as new condition with protective stickers
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Once again it is a pleasure for Sotheby’s to join IWC Schaffhausen to present this unique Pilot's Watch Annual Calendar with 7-day Power Reserve Edition "Le Petit Prince" in pink gold to be auctioned in aid of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation.

For the world-famous poet and author of “The Little Prince”, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, poetry and technology, writing and flying were two sides of the same coin. Now the Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince” brings these two worlds together. On the front side of the watch, the annual calendar displays the month, the date and the day of the week in three separate windows. Its advance mechanism automatically takes the length of individual months into account, but not the two differing lengths of the month of February or the leap years. Once a year, therefore, at the end of February, it requires manual correction via the crown. The reverse side shows the little prince staring in amazement at the sky. He stands on a tiny planet, which in its entirety forms the rotor and revolves eccentrically around its axis. The prince and his planet are made of solid red gold. Thanks to power from two barrels, the IWC-manufactured blue 52850 calibre supplies the higher torque necessary to drive the three display discs in the annual calendar. The barrels also provide sufficient energy to keep the watch running for a week when fully wound.

This unique IWC is powered by a blue movement, a feature produced for the very first time by IWC for this watch and indeed one that adorns this watch only. Due to the highly complex techniques required to ensure the Chemical Vapor Deposition creates an even finish combined with the delicacy and skill required to handle such pieces after this process is complete, the movement took IWC nearly 2 years to develop. 

The funds raised will be used to launch the Fondation St. Exupéry in the US to partner with local NGO or Associations. The aim is to produce the book “Le Petit Prince” in Braille (text and drawings) and not only teach visually impaired children to read the text but also to read drawings. 

This watch is being sold for charity and therefore has not been given an auction estimate; the current suggested retail price is CHF 35,000.