IWC Schaffhausen
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation’s (FASEJ), IWC Schaffhausen is organizing an exhibition at the Parisian boutique from the 10th to the 20th of June 2019. Historical objects that belonged to Antoine de Saint-Exupery are presented.
Background of the Partnership
Founded in 2009, the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation (FASEJ) aims to preserve the humanist values of the legendary French pilot and writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. It carries out various projects around the world that focus on improving the lives of young people by providing vocational training, inclusive educational programmes and helping them secure better futures for themselves, for example by fighting illiteracy. IWC Schaffhausen (IWC) entered into a partnership with Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s descendants in 2006 and also has a solid commitment to the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation. The strong partnership is based on the many points they have in common. Supporting children and adolescents who face difficult circumstances is one of the central pillars of IWC’s social commitment. Both partners firmly believe that knowledge and education can give young people longterm prospects and turn them into responsible citizens.
An exceptional exhibition
From the gourmette found off the coast of Marseille in October 1998 to his raincoat, writer and pilot Antoine de Saint Exupéry personal belongings are presented to the public from 10th to the 20th of June 2019 at the IWC store located at 3-5 rue de la Paix in Paris. Spare parts of his plane “Caudron Simoun” immerse us in the world of aviation from his time. This outstanding contribution was made possible thanks to the descendants of The Little Prince author. To commemorate the 10 years of existence of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation’s, an exceptional timepiece will also be introduced to the public: the number 10 of the new Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Edition “Le Petit Prince” with a beige luminescent index at 10 o’clock. This unique piece will be auctioned to support the Foundation’s projects.
IWC Schaffhausen Boutique – Paris
3-5 Rue de la Paix
75002 Paris
01 42 61 62 64
OPENING HOURS
Monday - Saturday 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday Closed
What activities is IWC engaged in?
A cornerstone of the company’s engagement is the support of children and adolescents who are facing difficult circumstances in life. IWC contributes to the work of the foundation through several means. Since 2006, various special edition Pilot’s Watches have been released to pay tribute to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and his famous novel “The Little Prince”. These watches feature brown (“Antoine de Saint Exupéry” Editions) and blue (“Le Petit Prince” Editions) dials. In 2014, for instance, IWC unveiled three versions of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “The Last Flight”. This particular model, available in a limited edition, had a sepia-coloured dial and was IWC’s first timepiece in a case made of extremely rugged brown silicon nitride ceramic. The tale of “The Little Prince” has likewise been a regular theme in the special editions since 2013. The Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition “Le Petit Prince” also has a captivating day display in which a different star is illuminated in gold to represent every day of the week. The stars symbolise the seven planets visited by the little prince on his odyssey through the universe. In addition, auctions of exclusive timepieces to raise money for the foundation’s projects have been a focal point of the collaboration.
Special watch auctions to support the foundation’s projects
2013:
The first auction was held in 2013, where the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince” went under the hammer for CHF 173,000. These funds were used by the foundation to open two new school buildings with an integrated library in Cambodia, as well as mobile libraries that pay regular visits to remote villages.
2014:
In 2014, the proceeds of CHF 40,000 from the auction of Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “The Last Flight” in a brown silicon nitride ceramic case were used to establish a library in a Brazilian children’s hospital, complete with books, computers, and e-books. The library was inaugurated by IWC brand ambassador and supermodel Adriana Lima.
2015:
In 2015, the auction of the Pilot’s Watch Double Chronograph Edition “Le Petit Prince” in 18-carat 5N gold raised CHF 47,500. The financial support went to the Hospitality and Training Centre (HCTC) in Mae Sot in Thailand. This educational institution focuses on the advancement of young people from the Karen people, an ethnic group in South East Asia, whose members are often poorly integrated into society.
2016:
In 2016, Sotheby’s auctioned the Big Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince” with a unique blue movement. The timepiece garnered a winning bid of CHF 48,750. The funds were used to create the firstever tactile art book of “The Little Prince” with drawings in relief to make Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s original watercolours accessible to visually impaired children.
2017:
In 2017, Sotheby’s auctioned the Big Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar Edition “Le Petit Prince” with an 18-carat white gold case and a blue movement featuring an ornate, hand-painted rotor in the form of the little prince standing on his asteroid. The timepiece garnered a winning bid of CHF 38,000, helping the foundation to support projects in North America.
2018:
In 2018, the Big Pilot’s Watch Annual Calendar Edition “Antoine de Saint Exupéry” in 18-carat white gold with a rotor inspired by a Lockheed P-38 Lightning went under the hammer for CHF 38,000. IWC donated its proceeds to benefit the FASEJ, helping it to support the association Arrimage in Nice, France. This association was established by Dr Claude Garrandès, a blind French artist, teacher and publisher. One of its major projects focuses on teaching visually impaired children how to read drawings in two-dimensional relief through the sense of touch. For this project, the association uses the first-ever tactile art book of embossed illustrations of “The Little Prince”, accompanied by descriptions in Braille in both French and English. The book was created by Claude Garrandès Editions and Arrimage with the support of the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation. Thanks to unique teaching tools created by Arrimage, blind and low-vision children also have the opportunity to learn how to draw themselves. Arrimage regularly organises workshops with visually impaired children and adolescents.
2019:
In 2019, IWC and the FASEJ organised a unique charity project with IWC brand ambassador Bradley Cooper. While attending the Academy Awards® ceremony, the American actor wore a Big Pilot’s Watch Single Piece (Ref. IW500923). The timepiece featured a unique engraving of the iconic quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s famous novel, “The Little Prince”, on the back of its 18-carat 5N gold case – “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly”. The watch garnered a winning bid of CHF 60,000. IWC donated its full proceeds to the foundation, helping it to support the Association Arrimage in Nice, France, which conducts art and educational workshops for visually-challenged children and young adults worldwide.
