The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar Edition “Antoine de Saint-Exupéry,” reference IW502706, is a 2017 limited edition of 250 watches in 18 ct 5N gold. Its annual calendar shows the month, date and day, and requires manual correction once a year at the end of February. IWC lists a 46.2 mm case, automatic calibre 52850 and a seven-day power reserve. The model is in IWC’s past collections; the available sources do not establish its current price or availability.
What is reference IW502706?
IW502706 is the 2017 Big Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar Edition honoring French pilot and author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. IWC lists it in its past collections as a limited edition of 250 in 18 ct 5N gold, with a brown dial and brown calfskin strap.
It is distinct from the 2016 “Le Petit Prince” annual-calendar model, reference IW502701, and from the unique white-gold IW502709 auctioned in 2018. Those are separate watches, not alternate names or versions of IW502706.
IW502706 specifications
| Specification | IWC-listed detail |
|---|---|
| Reference | IW502706 |
| Case material | 18 ct 5N gold |
| Dial and strap | Brown dial; brown calfskin strap |
| Case diameter | 46.2 mm |
| Case height | 15.3 mm |
| Water resistance | 6 bar |
| Movement | Automatic IWC-manufactured calibre 52850 with Pellaton winding |
| Power reserve | 168 hours (seven days) |
| Calendar | Annual calendar displaying month, date and day |
| Edition size | 250 watches |
| Rotor | 18-carat gold rotor shaped as a P-38 Lightning aircraft, according to IWC |
These dimensions and performance figures are manufacturer specifications, not an independent assessment of wear comfort or tested water performance. IWC’s catalogue PDF also lists the reference’s core specifications.
#1 Best Overall
- Modern, pilot-inspired Promaster timepieces equipped for professional use to discover the world from high above.
- Synchronized to Atomic Time Clock for Superior Accuracy, Atomic Timekeeping Technology with Synchronized Time Adjustment Available in 24 Time Zones, 1 Second Chronograph Measures up to 60 Minutes, Perpetual Calendar, 12/24 Hour Time, Alarm, Power Reserve Indicator, Day / Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Sapphire Crystal
- 200 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
How the annual calendar works
The three calendar indications appear in separate windows for month, date and day. IWC says the annual calendar needs adjustment once a year, at the end of February. It accounts for months of different lengths, but the owner must correct it at that annual transition rather than treating it as a perpetual calendar. The explanation and adjustment interval come from IWC’s 2 October 2017 launch announcement.
Design details and Saint-Exupéry connection
IWC described the tobacco-brown dial and brown calfskin strap with decorative white stitching as recalling the pilot suits of Saint-Exupéry’s era. The brand also says the gold rotor is shaped like a Lockheed P-38 Lightning, an aircraft it connects to Saint-Exupéry’s final reconnaissance flight. These are IWC’s stated design references, rather than independent historical findings.
Rank #2
- Silver-tone watch featuring left-handed crown and black dial with 1/20-second chronograph function, slide-rotating inner bezel, and date window
- 45.5 mm stainless steel case with mineral dial window
- Quartz movement with analog display
- Stainless steel band featuring fold-over push-button clasp with safety
- Water resistant to 100 m (330 ft): In general, suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not scuba diving
The edition’s connection is to Saint-Exupéry, the French pilot and author. The name should not be confused with IWC’s separate “Le Petit Prince” edition.
How many were made, and is it available now?
IWC states that IW502706 was limited to 250 watches. That is the announced edition size; it does not indicate how many examples remain for sale. The official product page is in IWC’s past collections, and the 2017 launch announcement does not establish present stock or a current asking price. Check a live listing and verify its reference, condition, provenance, service history and price before evaluating an individual example.
Rank #3
- From a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away comes the new men’s watch the Rebel Pilot, from Citizen’s Star Wars collection.
- Dial showcases Rebel and light sideof the Force symbols and the Jedi Order logo
- Luminous Hands, Markers, and X-fighter jet, Spherical Mineral Crystal
- 1/5 Second Chronograph measures up to 60 minutes, 12/24 hour time, tachymeter, and date
- 100 Meters Water resistant and 5 year limited warrenty
Do not confuse it with the auctioned IW502709
In a report dated 13 November 2018, IWC said Sotheby’s sold a unique, white-gold reference IW502709 for CHF 30,000, with proceeds directed to the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation. That was a one-off watch in a different case metal and reference, not one of the 250 IW502706 watches. The reported auction result is historical and is not a current valuation for IW502706. See IWC’s auction report. IWC’s historical references page identifies the “Le Petit Prince” annual-calendar model as IW502701: IWC historical references.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- AVI-8 - OUR STORY: The brand inspiration and design excellence originates from the collaboration between pilots and engineers who served in air forces around the world. Every collection is an explicit homage to the planes, people and history of military aviation. Each timepiece brings to life the detail and narrative of the inspiration to delight and engage the wearer.
- THE HAWKER HURRICANE CLASSIC CHRONOGRAPH: A tribute to arguably the most iconic plane from the WW2 era. The Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph is characterised by a simplicity that echoes the design of its namesake. Clean, bold lines surround the dial on which the colours and graphics celebrate the fighter plane’s simple but striking motif that identified the Hawker Hurricane.
- CHRONOGRAPH MOVEMENT: A classic timepiece that speaks across generations - a stylish men's watch with Japanese Quartz Chronograph movement and date function
- THE FINER DETAILS: The Hawker Hurricane Classic Chronograph features a 42mm stainless steel case, a 22mm genuine leather strap, mineral lens and water resistance of 50m.
- 2 YEARS INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY: Your AVI-8 watch is warranted against any manufacturing defect for a period of twenty-four (24) months from the date of purchase.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
