Entrepreneur James Symond spotted wearing a IWC

James Symond, the high-profile Australian entrepreneur behind Aussie Home Loans and a man never shy of a grand gesture, was recently spotted wearing an IWC Big Pilot's Watch in the Antoine de Saint Exupéry edition — almost certainly the coveted 18-carat yellow gold reference — while posing in front of a vibrant floral mural. The warm gold case glows unmistakably in the image, sitting large and confidently on his wrist against a leather strap.

The IWC Big Pilot Antoine de Saint Exupéry series draws its identity from the French aviator-author whose 1943 novella 'The Little Prince' has sold over 200 million copies. IWC, with its deep aviation heritage rooted in the original 1940 Big Pilot Ref. 431, leaned into that romanticism by giving the Saint Exupéry editions a distinctive cognac-brown dial — evoking desert sand and antique parchment — and warm gold typography. The 46mm case houses IWC's in-house Calibre 51111, a 7-day power-reserve movement visible through the exhibition caseback, beating at 28,800 vph with a Glucydur balance wheel.

From a collector standpoint, the yellow gold Saint Exupéry Big Pilot occupies a special niche. It combines the raw pilot-watch functionality — oversized onion crown, anti-reflective sapphire, luminous hands — with precious metal execution that elevates it well beyond utilitarian dress. Limited production runs have historically kept demand firm on the secondary market, and the narrative appeal of the Saint Exupéry connection gives it a cultural cachet that pure sport watches lack.

Symond has cultivated a public persona built on energy and ambition, and a 46mm yellow gold IWC is entirely consistent with that image — it is emphatically not a watch that hides. The Big Pilot's watch demands wrist real estate and commands attention, much like Symond himself in a room. Pairing it with a dark leather strap rather than a sportier bracelet keeps it business-appropriate without sacrificing presence.

On the market, yellow gold Big Pilot Saint Exupéry references have historically retailed north of $30,000 USD, with grey-market values fluctuating between $22,000 and $32,000 depending on condition and box-and-papers status. For collectors seeking a meaningful aviator watch in precious metal, IWC's Saint Exupéry line remains one of the most compelling propositions in the segment.