IWC Schaffhausen

• cal. 79420 automatic movement, 29 jewels, 44-hour power reserve • soft-iron inner case for protection against magnetic fields • midnight-blue dial, gilt luminous hands, Arabic, dagger and rectangular luminous indexes, outer minute and seconds track, subsidiary guilloché dials for constant seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour registers, aperture for date, day display in the form of a jumping star • 18k red gold brushed and polished case, sapphire glass, screw-down crown and back with special engraving • case, dial and movement signed • with an 18k red gold IWC buckle

The present lot is in overall excellent condition as it was especially made for the occasion by IWC Schaffhausen in order to support the Saint Exupéry Foundation. This is a unique piece and an extremely rare example made by IWC, the case back is engraved with the novel's characters.
"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.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Once again it is a pleasure for Sotheby’s to join IWC Schaffhausen to present this unique Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince" in red gold to be auctioned in aid of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation.

This unique piece, featuring an innovative midnight blue dial with a characteristic cockpit design, has a surprising feature: a jumping star display is arranged inside the feint line of the circle at its centre. Each day of the week, this captivating day display "lights" up a different star in glittering gold.

The stars punched out of the dial symbolize the planets visited by the Little Prince. They are also engraved in the same order on the back of the watch, together with the name of their inhabitants: the king, the vain man, the drunkard, the businessman, the lamplighter, the geographer and finally the rose. The Little Prince cannot forget the latter and returns to her at the end of his odyssey.

We also find a playful indication of where the little boy with the wheaten hair happens to be at the moment, as well as a portrait of the prince himself, on the reverse side of the case. Incidentally, the owner of the watch decides which star on the dial is illuminated on which day of the week by using the crown to make the golden star jump to another position.

The proceeds of the sale of this watch will be given in their entirety to the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation, to contribute to the construction of a resource centre in Northern Thailand. With a library, a computer room, language courses and a kitchen garden the resource centre will contribute to the development of a school for disadvantaged children. The work of the foundation is based on the humanist values of Antoine de Saint Exupéry, who was an aviation pioneer and author of “The Little Prince” among other novels. The foundation strives to fight illiteracy and relies on a vast international charity network which already carries out numerous local projects representing these values.

This watch is being sold for charity and therefore has not been given an auction estimate; the current suggested retail price is CHF 29'500.

Estimate Upon Request