We’ve reviewed the various Antoine de Saint-Exupéry themed watches that IWC has released over the years, with 2013’s December issue of WOW detailing IWC’s partnership with the estate of Saint-Exupéry, who disappeared during a reconnaissance mission in 1944. IWC has released the ninth watch to stem from this collaboration, which continues the recent trend of Le Petit Prince edition watches.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Le Petit Prince” is the third to feature the eponymous character from one of history’s bestselling books, this time based on the existing Pilot’s Watch Chronograph. The self-winding Calibre 79320 movement remains in this watch, with a power reserve of 44 hours. As usual, the central chronograph seconds hand has displaced the seconds hand to a sub-dial at nine o’clock, with the 30-minute and 12-hour counters at 12 and six o’clock respectively.

Unique to current iteration of the Pilot’s Watch and Pilot’s Chronograph(s) is the date window at three o’clock, which is styled like a cockpit altimeter – three running numbers are displayed but only the centre one is marked with an arrow to indicate the current date. This detail has carried over to the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Le Petit Prince”, with IWC’s signature subtly placed within the small seconds sub-dial to provide balance. Like its predecessors, the watch’s dial is rendered in a midnight blue unique to the Le Petit Prince edition watches and the caseback has a unique engraving, this time depicting the Little Prince with his friend the fox. We will refrain from spoilers here, but suffice it to say that some of the most sublime sections of the book, and the greatest lessons for the reader, come from the Little Prince’s conversations with the fox.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Le Petit Prince” is available in stainless steel and, to the relief of fans of the brand and the story, not a limited run unlike the previous two editions. It is already available at the IWC boutiques in Ion Orchard and Marina Bay Sands for S$8,800.