What Should You Know About the IWC Pilot Watch Mark XVIII “Le Petit Prince” IW327004?

As one of the leading producers of custom rubber watch straps, Rubber B is first, and foremost, consistent in our passion for the world of horology. However, occasionally those interests merge into other areas as well, including literature, and when those two areas intersect, we appreciate the opportunity to further expound on it.

IWC has produced the IWC Pilot Watch Mark XVIII “Le Petit Prince” IW327004, a commemorative timepiece to celebrate the publication of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s exalted children’s book “The Little Prince.” A version of this timepiece made headlines several years ago, when Bradley Cooper, who appeared at the Oscars for his work on “A Star is Born,” wore a Le Petit Prince timepiece to the ceremony. The piece was later auctioned off for a charity named in Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s honor for a total of $75,000.

In honor of both this beautiful timepiece and the company who created it, we are going to take a few moments to more closely examine the technical details of this particular watch. We are also going to look further into whether IWC timepieces, as a whole, retain their value or tend to depreciate over time.

What Are The Technical Specifications of the IWC Pilot Watch Mark XVIII “Le Petit Prince” IW327004?

This elegantly designed timepiece is ensconced in a stainless steel case that measures 40.0 mm in diameter and is 11 mm tall. The crowns are screwed into the guard, and the watch is water-resistant for up to six bars. The dial comes in a luminescent and aesthetically pleasing deep blue, with a visual palette that is likely to remind one of the ocean.

The IWC Pilot Watch Mark XVIII “Le Petit Prince” IW327004 is powered by the 35111 Calibre, which is both automatic and self-winding, but is not one of IWC’s in-house movements. It has a 42-hour power reserve and vibrates at a frequency of 28800.0 vph. The movement is comprised of 163 components and 25 jewels.

One of the most fascinating things about this timepiece, and likely why IWC chose to craft a watch commemorating this specific piece of literature, is that they both have deep ties to the world of aviation. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry may be better remembered now for his literary achievements, but he actually came to prominence as an aviator in France, and he is equally remembered for those pursuits by the French people today.

IWC also has an interesting connection to the world of aviation as well. IWC watches were some of the first watches in the world to become popular among pilots. This is because of their excellent reputation as precision chronographs, which means they are accurate to, in many cases, a tenth of a second. This is vitally important in making sure that planes land and take off safely and on time.

To that end, this timepiece has several special features that are specifically related to flying. It has a soft-iron inner case that aids in protection against magnetic fields, which helps to ensure that the instrument continues to function even when it is placed in areas with high amounts of magnetism.

The glass has also been secured against displacement due to drops in air pressure, which are very common occurrences during a flight. The sapphire glass for the dial also has an anti-reflective coating on both sides of it.

Do IWC Watches Retain Value Over Time?

The short answer to this question is, yes, they most certainly do. In fact, several respected industry experts have frequently listed IWC watches as within their top five of watches that either retain value, or even appreciate, over time.

There are several complex factors for this, but there are two primary motivations to this line of thinking. The first is that, because these watches are made with exceptional craftsmanship, they are unlikely to break or need a significant amount of repair. The other is that, compared to other Swiss watchmakers, such as Rolex, IWC makes a much smaller amount of watches per product line, ensuring that the demand for these timepieces will almost always outpace the supply.

Are You In Need of a Custom Rubber Watch Strap For Your IWC Timepiece? Visit Rubber B Today

If you are looking for a custom rubber watch band for your IWC watch, Rubber B has a wide variety of different strap styles and colors to choose from. For more information on our complete product catalog, simply visit our website today.

If you would like to learn more about our complete list of products, shipping policies, and pricing, or have questions about our custom rubber watch straps, please visit the Rubber B website today for more information. One of our valued team members will be happy to answer your inquiry in a timely manner.

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