IWC Pilots Timezoner Edition Le Petit Prince Watch Review
Friday - 05 February 2021
One of IWC’s most practical patented functions is released for the first time in the design code of their iconic “Le Petit Prince” special edition with a handsome blue dial and matching blue ceramic city ring. The new IWC Pilots Timezoner Edition Le Petit Prince watch under reference IW395503 is limited to only 1,500 pieces and delivers yet another indispensable tool for world travellers.
First revealed back in 2016, the IWC patented timezoner function is an extraordinary piece of Swiss engineering that allows the wearer to effortlessly change between time zones without having to pull out the crown, stop the movement and lose out on accuracy. How does it work, we hear you ask? The time-adjustment system is centred entirely around the bezel which has a direct impact on the movement within. You simply press on the bezel and turn it to your desired location, based on the cities indicated on the ceramic insert, and release. The hour hand for local time will then automatically adjust itself to the correct position. In addition, the bezel of the IWC Pilots Timezoner Edition Le Petit Prince can be rotated in either direction meaning any mistake can easily be fixed without you having to rotate around 23 hours to remedy. It is truly an ingenious piece of IWC manufacture.
The first IWC Timezoner watch was unveiled at Baselworld 2016 as the Pilots Timezoner IW395001 then several years later, the technology returned in 2019 with the IWC Spitfire Timezoner IW395501. This is the first time the timezoner function has been seen within the IWC Le Petit Prince, a special edition design inspired by the literary work of the author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and his story “The Little Prince”. All timepieces within this series are distinctive for their trademark blue dials designed to evoke the mystery of the sky at night, and as expected, the new IWC Pilots Timezoner Edition Le Petit Prince follows suit with a midnight-blue dial complete with matching blue ceramic bezel detailed with the names of international cities.
The IWC manufactured 82760 calibre movement powers the timezoner function including the central hands for local time hour, minutes and seconds, a date window at 3 o’clock and an arched aperture for the home time at 12 o’clock. The in-house mechanical movement incorporates the brand’s legendary Pellaton winding system enforced with components made from virtually wear-free ceramic, a technology that helps deliver an impressive power reserve of 60 hours. Along with a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, the IWC Pilots Timezoner Edition Le Petit Prince IW395503 boasts 22 jewels and a Côtes de Genève decorated oscillating rotor which can be viewed through the sapphire crystal case back.
Cementing its status as a pilot’s instrument, the IWC Pilots Timezoner Edition Le Petit Prince Limited Edition measures to a large 46mm in diameter with a height of 15mm engineered from brushed and polished stainless steel. It’s oversized diamond-shaped crown provides a 60 metre water resistant and allows for easy operation even with thick pilots gloves on. Also protecting the piece is sapphire crystal glass which has been secured against displacement by drop in air pressure and treated with a special anti-reflective coating for optimal legibility of the luminous hands and numerals beneath. To complete its masculine aesthetic, the IWC Pilots Timezoner Edition Le Petit Prince watch is fastened to the wrist by a brown calfskin leather strap and a stainless steel folding buckle to match.
The IWC Pilots Timezoner Edition Le Petit Prince Limited Edition IW395503 watch is available to order on the Jura Watches website today. Get in touch with the team on 01335 453453 or at help@jurawatches.co.uk for more information on the latest IWC watch releases and the interest free finance and free next day delivery available.
Specifications: IWC Pilots Timezoner Edition Le Petit Prince Limited Edition (IW395503)
- Case Size: 46mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Bi-directional with blue ceramic insert, used to change time zone
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Exhibition
- Water Resistance: 60 metres
- Movement: IWC Calibre 82760 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, second time zone display, date
- Power Reserve: 60 hours
- Jewels: 22
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Sunray-brushed blue with luminescent hands and numerals
- Strap: Brown calfskin leather
- Buckle: Folding, stainless steel
- RRP: £12,700
- Limited Edition: 1,500 pieces
- Release Date: Available now
