Just saw this: Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in 18-carat red gold (Ref. IW387805) LE 500 pcs

Two posts from me after swinging in @ HK Flagship Boutique to pick up the latest catalog. This one first...

Further to these announcements:
www.iwc.com/en/experiences/100th-anniversary-of-antoine-de-st-exuperys-first-flight/
www.iwc.com/forum/en/discussion/55754

I spent some time again with this particular beauty. I had thought the 'A' was inscribed on the crown (as others have reported during the SIHH viewing), but clearly I was wrong - it is a regular crown. Still, the hands and the numerals make this a St Ex edition, although only to the more discerning eye. This timepiece also has the Calibre 89360/89361 movement, unlike the regular 2012 ardoise / sunburst dial Spitfire, with the newer, though different, Calibre 89365 movement.

Here are the pics - sorry, Blackberry, plastics, and yellow lighting are a terrible combination.

Absolutely love the hour/minute totalizer counter @ 12 o'clock...

the new buckle in red gold placed besides an older one in platinum. I am informed that the new larger size and design was to allow more contact with the fingers, making it easier to release by a tug, or even a strong flick.

Thank you for the pics, Shing, i especially like this strap.

Did that beauty come home with you? or are you letting the boutique hold on to it for a few days? LOL
Thanks for posting, the watch is a great piece.

Regards,
Kevin

Shing,

Somehow it still does not look right without the A.

agreed ...

I guess it is a evolution from a 'busy dial' concept ..

I like it more with the A

Regards
Arne

The BPP version with no A is forgivable since there is no room. But otherwise......I think the A is iconic.

Shing, thanks for the photos.

I tried this on last Monday in the Flagship. Very impressive. This is another vey nice RG watch. The buffalo strap is really nice.

Shing, thanks for the pics. Personally, I'm not sentimental for the A and think that this dial looks fantastic.

Did you see it in SS as well?

Thank you for the beautiful pictures. It's a great looking watch but I also miss the A. I am glad I have the first St Ex Chrono.

Kind regards,

Clemens

Like Alan, I too miss the A!

but Ahhh ...it is indeed still a handsome watch.

definitely quite handsome...

regards,
thang

Hi Ken, the steel version hasn't arrived yet - but I am told it is soon.

I also miss the A - but this is the 2nd model that doesn't have an A on the dial - the Perpetual calendar being the first.

Is it a correct assumption that each St Exupery model that is accompanied with a St Exupery book of sorts all have a signature A on the dial and the last two models don't have an accompanied book ?

Clemens, I'm with you. Although the new in-house movement is a plus. The original is a classic. The combination of rose gold and a satiny chocolate dial just screams luxury and mellow!

Larry

beautiful !

I agree the original is an absolute classic. I prefer my pilots in steel and ceramic or even titanium, so rg is out for me. The 89361 movement in the upcoming steel St. Ex has me thinking and dreaming ...

...but this one has both day & date, almost perfect. Why oh why cannot IWC produce a day/date in-house movement without the huge complication of a PPC.