Thursday, 1 February 2007

IWC Antoine de Saint Exupéry IW371709

My IWC Pilots Chrono Antoine de St Exupery. I got this watch during my travel for work to Hong Kong in Jan 2007. In the past when I visited the boutique, the staff there told me that there weren’t any available and if I wanted to get one, I would have to put down a full payment for it and join the queue which I wasn’t too keen on. Somehow when I came to the boutique this trip, and asked if they had any, the Asst boutique manager said “yes” to my surprise, disappeared behind for a bit to bring what would be my watch back. It called out to me and that was that.

Its a limited edition for IWC but that really doesn't matter. I love its looks and I am happy that it is a homage watch to St Ex and the early days of flying. 1931 pieces made which is the year his novel "night flight" was published. 1630 pieces in S/S, 250 in RG, 50 in WG, and 1 in platinum which auctioned off for US$60k for charity.

Do enjoy the pictures of this beauty..



13 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is a very nice watch. Actually I am contemplating of buying a 3717 Chrono. I enquire about it in Sincere Watch Shop in Shaw Centre and they told me that they do not have stock. I was told the retail price is S$6900 (leather strap). Can you advise normally how much would the discount be off the retail price? I really have no idea at all. Thanks.

Arron

raphael too said...

Hi Arron

What exactly is the model you're looking at? is it the 371701 with the black dial? Retail prices are standard in Singapore for the various AD but the discounted prices will differ from brand to brand and sometimes piece to piece and relationship you have with the salesperson. I will check on my sources and get back to you after the CNY yuh :) Please drop me an email which you can find through my profile(click on the raphmeister link above) so that I can email you this information as I don't wish to post discount prices on the net.

Cheers
Raph

Anonymous said...

njrnlHi

I really like your blog about watches. I am waiting for a IWC steel bracelet Pilot's watch Chrono-automatic. (Have been waiting for months actually...)

Can I check with you whether the Antoine de Saint Exupéry Chrono-Auto also come in steel bracelet?

Thanks! =)

Anonymous said...

Hi

I really like your blog about watches. I am waiting for a IWC steel bracelet Pilot's watch Chrono-automatic. (Have been waiting for months actually...)

Can I check with you whether the Antoine de Saint Exupéry Chrono-Auto also come in steel bracelet?

Thanks! =)

raphael too said...

hi there :)
The St Ex only comes in brown buffalo strap with the white stitches which I think suits it very much. If you really want it on a bracelet you could always buy it from IWC and fix it on but I don't think it would look that great.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Raph

Anonymous said...

Wow... thanks for your prompy reply.

Well, I suppose the watch is a little like the Pilot's Chrono-Automatic. The leather and steel bracelet versions seems different at the parts the strap joins to the watch. If the Saint Exupery only comes in leather, then connecting a steel bracelet would look odd eh?

Anonymous said...

Hi Raph,

Hope everything is well. After the post 2 yrs ago, well time really flies, I bought my 371701 in Jul 07 after waited for like 5 mths. I even attended the watch making experience hosted by IWC & Sincere. It is really wonderful experience and till today I never regret my decision of buying that beauty. FYI, got lots of compliments from friends too. Cheers and take care.

Arron

raphael too said...

Hi Arron

All is well with me thanks. Time does fly indeed :) Happy to hear you got something you love and that you're wearing and enjoying it. that is the most important thing. Happy for u and hope all is well wif u too.

Cheers
Raph

Anonymous said...

Hello,

You seem to be a excellent IWC specialist. I'm interesting of a St Ex UTC watch but, I think it's a little bit expensive for me. Do you think a IWC spifire UTC would be a very good alternative or not?

Many thanks,

Laurent

raphael too said...

Hi Laurent,
This may be a case of mistaken identity :) i currently do not own any IWC and i know many more people who are IWC specialists...
i am slightly familiar with these 2 models, as in i know what they look like, but don't know what the price difference is between them. My view is that if you really like a watch AND you feel like you're settling with getting something similar... don't. try and hold out for what you want especially if the price is not too far away or look for something more affordable to you.
The watches in question are also pretty different aesthetically, with the similarities being about its aviation theme and utc complication. hmm, for me i would go for what i want... but the question is what is it you want?
all the best in your decision.
cheers
raph

Anonymous said...

HI Raph,

Great site & I can see that you are someone that loves his watches & that cant be bad. Your IWC St Exupery Chrono is, indeed, a gem. I have the other two, UTC & Power Reserve & am looking for the Chrono, which is really very hard to find as this is a limited edition.

Hopefully, I could get hold of one in the near future to complete my collection, so if you know of anyone that has too many IWCs on the winder & wanna let go, pls drop me a mail.

My wrist isnt the biggest so I doubt I will ever get the St Exupery Big Pilot, but never say never!! Well, good luck & I hope you get the watches of your dream!

My humblle collection:
i) IWC Mark 16
ii) IWC St Ex UTC
iii) IWC St Ex Power Reserve
iv) IWC Pilot Chrono
v) IWC Pilot Chrono classic
vi) IWC Top Gun
vii) IWC Portuguese Chrono blue
viii) JLC Master Calendar
ix) Corum Admiral Challenge blue
x) Ulysse Nardin Big date GMT
xi) Omega Seamaster classic
xii) Longines winding classic
xiii) Longines Grand Vitesse
xiv) Pam 90
xv) Pam 112

Wish List
IWC Portuguese 7 Days!

Alex
xxxzzzxxx99@yahoo.com

raphael too said...

Hi Alex

Thanks for your kind words. I have sold the IWC St Exupery Chrono sometime back and only have 1 vintage IWC Portuguese style mini-wristwatch. Hope you find the watch if u're looking for it and my goodness u do have a no. of IWCs :)

Thanks for the well wishes as well and same back to u, that u get the watches of your dream too :)

U have a good collection mate.

Cheers
Raph

Anonymous said...

Hello
I am fan too
How may i get one do you think?
I am very interested

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