Watches and Wonders 2026: Inside IWC Schaffhausen’s Masterpieces

Kickstarting the 2026 edition of Watches and Wonders (W&W), IWC Schaffhausen has unveiled an impressive suite of novelties. Leading the line-up are five Le Petit Prince Anniversary Edition Pilot’s Watches, followed by the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Ceralume® and the Perpetual Calendar IWC‑ProSet®. The Ingenieur family expands with two new Automatic 35 models, the Ingenieur Automatic 42 in dark olive, the Perpetual Calendar 41 in titanium, and the Ingenieur Tourbillon 41. Completing the showcase are the Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 Le Petit Prince, the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive, and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Le Petit Prince.

GMT India takes a closer look at IWC Schaffhausen’s latest novelties — creations that reimagine the brand’s technical mastery while weaving in the poetic universe of Antoine de Saint‑Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince. 

‍

Le Petit Prince Anniversary Edition Pilot’s Watches

To mark 20 years of collaboration with the heirs of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, IWC Schaffhausen has launched five Le Petit Prince Anniversary Edition Pilot’s watches. The novelties include two Mark XX models in 18-carat 5N gold and stainless steel, two stainless steel chronographs in 43 and 41 mm, and one Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36. All feature deep blue dials with a sunray finish, a hallmark of IWC’s special editions dedicated to Saint-Exupéry’s iconic novel. Signature design details of these editions are the gold-plated hands, filled with Super-LumiNova®, and charming depictions of the Little Prince on the casebacks. 

The Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW328301) features a 40 mm case, a crown, and a caseback ring made of 18ct 5N gold. Its deep blue dial with a sunray finish beautifully contrasts the gold. The appliques are crafted from solid 18ct 5N gold, while the hands are gold-plated and filled with Super-LumiNova®. The Pilot’s Watch Mark XX Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW328221) is housed in a 40 mm stainless steel case. It features a deep blue dial with a sunray finish, printed with white indices and numerals. The gold-plated hands are filled with Super-LumiNova® for enhanced legibility. Both models are powered by the IWC-manufactured 32112 calibre, featuring an automatic winding system and a power reserve of 120 hours.

The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW378011) and the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW388120) are both crafted from stainless steel. The former has a case diameter of 43 mm, while the latter measures 41 mm. Both models are characterised by deep blue dials with a sunray finish, a hallmark of IWC’s special editions dedicated to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s famous novel. The dials feature indices and numerals printed in white. The tinted sapphire glass casebacks showcase The Little Prince, surrounded by the characteristic “Le Petit Prince” lettering, a moon, and two stars. The chronographs are powered by the IWC-manufactured 69385 calibre, a mechanical chronograph movement in classic column-wheel design storing a power reserve of 46 hours.

The Pilot’s Watch Automatic 36 Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW458802) features a 36 mm stainless steel case and a deep blue dial with a sunray finish. The indices and numerals are printed in white, while the gold-plated hands are filled with Super-LumiNova® for enhanced legibility. The stainless steel caseback is adorned with a detailed engraving of the Little Prince. This automatic model is powered by the IWC-manufactured 32102 calibre, which boasts a power reserve of 120 hours.

‍

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Ceralume®

The Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Ceralume® is a fully luminous watch limited to 250 pieces and crafted using IWC’s proprietary Ceralume® luminous ceramic technology. To enhance the striking glow effect created by the luminous ceramic case, the white dial and the white rubber strap are also enriched with Super-LumiNova® pigments. These pigments function like a light storage battery, allowing the entire watch to glow in a vivid blue hue for more than 24 hours. The watch features a 46.5 mm case made of luminous white ceramic. The Ceralume® case is paired with a white luminous dial and a white rubber strap, both enhanced with Super-LumiNova® pigments. 

The indices and numerals are printed in a different shade of white on the dial, while the grey hands are filled with luminous material. This makes the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Ceralume® a watch with two entirely different expressions. In daylight, it captivates with its varying shades of white and grey, and the interplay of shiny and matte surfaces. In darkness, the watch transforms completely; the case, dial, and strap emit an intense bluish glow, while the numerals and hands appear as nothing but dark shadows against the fully luminous dial.

‍

IWC Perpetual Calendar IWC-ProSet®

This milestone in modern watchmaking ushers in a new era for perpetual calendars at IWC. For the first time, a completely synchronised and gear-based design ensures seamless forward and backward adjustability, making the calendar easier and more intuitive to set and operate than ever before. With a deviation of just one day after 1040 years, the moon phase display also reaches a new level of precision.

This groundbreaking calendar innovation debuts in three editions of the Big Pilot’s Watch in 18ct 5N gold, white ceramic and stainless steel, all powered by the IWC-manufactured 82665 calibre. The Perpetual Calendar ProSet is presented in three versions: Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW339601), Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW329601), and Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar ProSet (Ref. IW329602). 

‍IWC Ingenieur Automatic 35 

IWC Schaffhausen has introduced two new versions of its Ingenieur Automatic 35 at Watches and Wonders Geneva. One features a bezel made from 18ct 5N gold, adorned with 45 white diamonds, while the other showcases IWC’s signature blue dial colour. Both novelties come in ergonomic 35 mm stainless steel cases and feature integrated metal bracelets with polished middle links. The Ingenieur Automatic 35 (Ref. IW324911) is the first model in the current Ingenieur collection to feature diamonds. Its screw-on bezel, made from 18ct 5N gold, is embellished with 45 white diamonds weighing a total of 0.7 carats. Meanwhile, the Ingenieur Automatic 35 (Ref. IW324907) introduces IWC’s signature blue dial colour to the 35 mm Ingenieur collection. Both new models feature transparent sapphire glass casebacks that showcase the 47110 calibre, which offers automatic winding and a power reserve of 42 hours. Finished with circular graining and Geneva stripes, the movement also features a gold-plated oscillating weight.

‍

IWC Ingenieur Automatic 42

The Ingenieur Automatic 42 in dark olive green ceramic marks the first time the Gérald Genta-derived integrated bracelet design is presented in coloured ceramic. The crown and the screws in gold provide a striking contrast to the ceramic colour. A blend of finishing techniques — satin, polished, and sand‑blasted — culminates in a refined, distinctive aesthetic. This watch is powered by the IWC-manufactured 82110 calibre featuring an automatic Pellaton winding system with ceramic components and a power reserve of 60 hours.

‍

IWC Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41 in Titanium

The Ingenieur Perpetual Calendar 41 in titanium features a 41 mm case and an integrated bracelet crafted from grade 5 titanium; it marks the lightest perpetual calendar ever created by the Swiss luxury watchmaker. The case, bezel, and bracelet links showcase a combination of sandblasting, polishing, and satin-finishing. Boasting the characteristic “Grid” structure, the matte grey dial blends harmoniously with the titanium case and bracelet, lending the watch a striking monolithic look. The IWC-manufactured 82600 calibre, featuring a Pellaton winding system reinforced with ceramic components, can be viewed through the sapphire glass caseback.

‍

IWC Ingenieur Tourbillon 41

The Ingenieur Tourbillon 41, the new flagship Ingenieur model, pairs a case and bracelet crafted from 18ct 5N gold with an olive green “Grid” dial. The highlight is the flying minute tourbillon at 6 o’clock, which rotates around its axis once every minute. This elegant and refined luxury sports watch is further distinguished by its highly detailed finishing, including techniques such as satin finishing and polishing. The IWC-manufactured 82905 calibre, featuring a Pellaton winding system with ceramic components, is visible through the sapphire glass caseback. Limited to 100 pieces, the Ingenieur Tourbillon 41 (Ref. IW345901) features a 41.6 mm case and an integrated bracelet crafted from 18ct 5N gold.

‍

IWC Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 Le Petit Prince

The new Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 Le Petit Prince is crafted in durable stainless steel and features a deep blue dial with a sunrise finish. This elegant dress watch marks the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer’s first Portofino model paying tribute to “The Little Prince”. As a charming nod to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s world-famous novel, the Little Prince is depicted standing on the golden moon in the watch’s day and night display at 6 o’clock. The Portofino Automatic Day & Night 34 Le Petit Prince (Ref. IW459806) features a compact 34 mm case crafted in durable stainless steel. This watch is powered by the Calibre 35180, which features an automatic winding system and a power reserve of 50 hours.

‍

IWC Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive

The Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive is a next-generation tool watch that has been specifically designed and engineered from the ground up for the unique demands of human spaceflight and timekeeping in space. Inspired by astronauts wearing space suits with gloves, all functions of the watch can be controlled through an innovative, patent-pending rotating bezel system, eliminating the need for a crown.

A rocker switch located on the side of the case enables the wearer to change between various functions, including winding the movement and setting the home or mission times. The Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive is crafted using lightweight white zirconium oxide ceramic and Ceratanium®, ensuring high durability and resistance to temperature fluctuations. This tool watch underwent rigorous testing by IWC’s brand partner, Vast, the company developing next-generation space stations. It received spaceflight qualification from Vast for flight on Haven-1, scheduled to be the world’s first commercial space station.

‍

IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Le Petit Prince 

This chronograph is crafted from white zirconium oxide ceramic and complemented with a deep blue sunburst dial with a captivating colour gradient effect. As a reference to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s novel, the titanium caseback showcases an engraving of the Little Prince. This chronograph is powered by the robust and reliable IWC-manufactured 69381 calibre, which includes automatic winding and boasts a 46-hour power reserve.

‍