Press release
Sotheby's, the auction house, has auctioned a unique horological treasure for a good cause on behalf of the Swiss watchmaking company IWC Schaffhausen: the single platinum version of the Big Pilot's Watch Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry from IWC has found a new owner together with a special edition of Saint Exupéry's biography “L'archange et l'écrivain” by Nathalie Des Vallières for CHF 50,000. The proceeds of the auction are being donated to the French organization “Enfants du Monde – Droits de l'Homme”(EMDH), which campaigns throughout the world for the protection and the rights of children. In this way, IWC is making a real contribution to EMDH's activities in Madagascar, where it has been working together with local partners since 1994 to improve the conditions of disadvantaged children.
A one-of-a-kind watch from IWC Schaffhausen came up for auction at the Sotheby's “Important Watches” auction in the Hotel Beau-Rivage in Geneva on 9 May 2010: the Big Pilot's Watch Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry in platinum (Reference 5004). The visual appeal of this icon among the Pilot's Watches from the Swiss watchmaker lies in the sporting elegance of its high-quality platinum case, the tobacco-brown dial and the engraving of Saint Exupéry as a military pilot on the back of the watch. The serial number 01/01 makes it clear: the Big Pilot's Watch Edition Antoine de Saint Exupéry from IWC in platinum is a unique piece. It is distinguished by its classic functionality and superior mechanical quality features. The imposing IWC 51111-calibre large movement with Pellaton automatic winding, seven-day power reserve, power reserve display, Breguet spring and date display make this unique timepiece a top-quality product in its class. This unique piece has changed hands for CHF 50,000. IWC Schaffhausen is donating the entire proceeds of the auction to the organization “Enfants du Monde – Droits de l'Homme” (“Children of the World – Human Rights”), which is involved in educational, health and social projects on the African island of Madagascar with the aim of combating child labour and exploitation.
This is the fourth special edition watch produced by IWC Schaffhausen in association with the Société Civile pour l'OEuvre et la Mémoire d'Antoine de Saint Exupéry. With this fourth Antoine de Saint Exupéry special edition, the collection of Pilot's Watches from IWC in tribute to the passionate pilot and committed humanist Antoine de Saint Exupéry is now complete. The Pilot's Watch Chrono-Automatic in 2006 was the first in a series of IWC special editions in honour of passionate pilot and committed humanitarian Antoine de Saint Exupéry. It was followed in 2007 by the Pilot's Watch Automatic, and in 2008 by the Pilot's Watch UTC. To mark each of these, a unique example in platinum was created and auctioned for a good cause. The intended purpose of the proceeds was decided in each case in consultation with the Société Civile pour l'OEuvre et la Mémoire d'Antoine de Saint Exupéry in reflect the spirit of the author.
