80 Years Flight to New York

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ANTOINE DE SAINT EXUPÉRY

80 YEARS FLIGHT TO NEW YORK

1939 · 2019 Design drawings for the Latécoère 521, Latécoère Foundation Archives ANTOINE DE SAINT EXUPÉRY

80 YEARS FLIGHT TO NEW YORK

1939 · 2019 A VISIONARY JOURNEY

AFTER HE CROSSED THE ATLANTIC ON BOARD A GIGANTIC FLYING BOAT, ANTOINE DE SAINT EXUPÉRY ALREADY RECOGNISED THE CORE OF A PHENONEMON WHICH WOULD ULTIMATELY LEAD TO GLOBALISATION.

In July 1939, Antoine de Saint Exupéry than time itself – increasingly disappear. in New York. Staying at the Ritz-Carlton true. Ever since a pilot took him on a crossed the Atlantic Ocean on board the In doing so, he already recognised the Hotel, and later at the apartment of his test flight from the Ambérieu-en-Bugey flying boat Latécoère 521 "Lieutenant de core of a phenomenon which would friend, Colonel William Donovan, he met airfield in southeastern France at the age Vaisseau Paris". It was the first non-stop ultimately lead to globalisation in the with his American editors and worked of 12, the young Antoine knew that he crossing of the North-Atlantic with this following 80 years. Not least thanks to on “Terre des Hommes” (“Wind, Sand would one day sit in the cockpit himself. French aircraft, the largest ever built at the the achievements and spirit of discovery and Stars”). A regular guest at events While the Frenchman still had to fulfil time. With a flight time of 28 hours and 27 of aviation pioneers like Saint Exupéry, in the workshop of Bernard Lamotte, his great dream, Jones had already minutes, it was a great success, bringing the world has literally turned into a village. he was closely involved with the city’s lived his. In 1868, he had travelled from prestige to France. This milestone also intellectuals and artists. In the metropolis America to Switzerland and founded marked the introduction of the first regular With the Pilot's Watch Timezoner on the Hudson River, Saint Exupéry also the "International Watch Company" passenger service between France and Chronograph Edition "80 Years Flight created his most famous literary work, in Schaffhausen. With his innovative the United States. to New York" we pay tribute to this “Le Petit Prince” ("The Little Prince"). engineering approach, he established the defining event in the life of the French industrialised production of mechanical Even the experienced pilot Saint Exupéry pilot, author and visionary. The patented It is also in New York that the life story watches in Switzerland. was deeply impressed by the immense Timezoner function allows the wearer to of the Frenchman meets the American dimensions, the technical prowess and effortlessly switch from one time zone heritage of IWC Schaffhausen. Both men crossed the Atlantic several the luxurious comfort aboard the gigantic to another, making it a perfect fit for times during their lives. However, they flying boat. In a radio interview, he later the theme of the Atlantic crossing. But Both Antoine de Saint Exupéry and did so in different eras and in different said that humanity was moving towards there is more to this watch than that. It the American IWC founder Florentine ways. While Jones travelled to Europe a kind of simultaneity and that modern also acts as a reminder of the exciting Ariosto Jones worked with passion and on a ship, Saint Exupéry crossed the technology would make distances – more and inspiring time Saint Exupéry spent tenacity to make their dreams come Atlantic by aeroplane without a stopover.

New York, 1939 Portrait of Antoine de Saint Exupéry The Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris in Port Washington, USA, July 1939 The Latécoère 521 in Port Washington, USA, July 1939

Antoine de Saint Exupéry and Henri Guillaumet in the cockpit of the Latécoère 521 This page and bottom right: Top: Antoine de Saint Exupéry and Henri Guillaumet Antoine de Saint Exupéry and his friend leaving their seaplane on board a Henri Guillaumet, the pilot of the Latécoère 521 boat with a journalist and a crewman Antoine de Saint Exupéry and Henri Guillaumet reach the coast on a boat with a journalist and a crewman Henri Guillaumet, Antoine de Saint Exupéry and their guide disembark in the USA after successfully crossing the North Atlantic on board the Latécoère 521, July 1939 Antoine de Saint Exupéry The Rockefeller Center, New York, 13 July 1939

The Rockefeller Center, New York NBC INTERVIEW

that no such calamity occurred, but the qu’il craignait le feu pour les secondes TRANSCRIPTION OF THE INTERVIEW RECORDED IN THE STUDIOS OF THENBC, curious thing about this adventure was qui suivaient. Nous avons appris ensuite that we discovered that this pilot had qu’aucun drame ne s’était produit mais ce ROCKEFELLER PLAZA OF NEW YORK. just suffered this loss of an engine and qui est curieux dans cette aventure, c’est feared a fire might break out, certainly que nous avons su que ce pilote venait before the passengers travelling on his de subir cette rupture de moteur et qu’il plane were made aware of this fact! craignait le feu certainement avant les This next disc is an interview in French This next disc is an interview in French record between New York and Tierra del avec un avion qui était embarqué à bord passagers qui étaient transportés par lui dated August 3rd 1939. dated August 3rd 1939. Fuego, a record that was unfortunately de l’Île-de-France – c’est par l’Île-de- - That's astounding! It is astounding dans son avion. This aired between 11.05 and 11.20 AM It is aired between 11.05 and 11.20 AM interrupted by an accident in Guatemala France que j’étais venu – dans le but de indeed! Well, Monsieur, I wonder if you on or out of studio 3E. on… out of studio 3E. where I spent two months in the military faire un record de vitesse entre New might let us know what you think of New - Mais c’est formidable ! C’est le cas de There is only one part to this, it is on a There is only one part to this, it is on a hospital in Guatemala City. I came York et la Terre de Feu, record qui a York? You are already very familiar with le dire, c’est formidable ! single-sided aluminium-based disc. single-sided aluminum-based disc. back to New York after this accident to été malheureusement interrompu par un the "Big Apple”, is that right? complete my treatment – and I was very accident au Guatemala où j’ai passé deux Et bien cher Monsieur, je me demande si This is the Antoine de Saint Exupéry This is the Antoine de Saint Exupéry well cared for there – then I returned to mois à l’hôpital militaire de Guatemala - Yes, but I only really know the United vous voulez m’indiquer vos impressions – Thomas interview – spelt SAINT – Thomas interview – spelt SAINT France. I returned to the United States Cité. Je suis revenu à New York après States as New York, so there is a big de New York. Vous connaissez déjà bien EXUPERY - recorded today in studio EXUPERY - recorded today in studio this January in support of the publication cet accident pour achever de me faire gap in my experience that I intend la grande métropole ? 3E, August 3rd 1939. 3E, August 3rd 1939. of this book, Wind, Sand and Stars, and soigner – j’y ai été d’ailleurs très bien to bridge by travelling a little around I also had the opportunity, a little later, soigné – puis rentré en France. Je suis America on this visit. I like New York - Oui, je ne connais d’ailleurs guère que "Ladies and gentlemen, we are delighted "Mesdames, Mesdemoiselles, Messieurs, to make a return journey on the French revenu cette année-ci au mois de janvier immensely. When I disembarked for New York de l’Amérique, ce qui est une to introduce to you now a major French nous avons le plaisir de vous présenter flying boat – the Lieutenant de Vaisseau à propos de la parution de ce livre, Wind, the first time, I was expecting to grosse lacune et que je compte corriger figure who has kindly agreed to speak to maintenant une grande personnalité Paris piloted by Captain Guillaumet – Sand and Stars, et j’ai eu la chance, find something clearly spectacular, a en allant un peu visiter les États-Unis us here, at Radio City, New York. française que nous avons eu le succès which is preparing to operate a future également, un peu plus tard, de faire magnificent feat of human engineering… cette fois-ci. New York m’a infiniment plu. d’amener devant notre micro, à Radio airmail line between the United States l’aller-retour sur l’hydravion français qui but what I really did not expect to find Quand j’ai débarqué pour la première We are pleased to introduce Monsieur Cité New York. and France. prépare l’exploitation future d’une ligne was a kind of aesthetic perfection here fois, je me suis attendu à trouver Antoine de Saint Exupéry, the great aérienne postale entre les États-Unis et and, in particular, the building to which quelque chose d’évidemment grandiose, French writer and pioneering aviator. As Il s’agit de Monsieur Antoine de St - That's right. And, Monsieur, as you la France sur le Lieutenant de Vaisseau I am referring – the Rockefeller Center une magnifique réalisation de l’énergie we all know, Monsieur Antoine de Saint Exupéry, grand aviateur français et recently made two crossings, a round- Paris avec le Capitaine Guillaumet. – is one of the places in the world that humaine… mais je ne m’attendais pas du Exupéry worked as a pilot for eight years grand écrivain français. Comme nous le trip between these two destinations, on has left the greatest impression on me. tout à trouver là une sorte de perfection in the airmail service at the time of the savons tous, Monsieur Antoine de Saint the Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris flying - C’est ça. Et bien cher Monsieur, je I've travelled somewhat worldwide and, esthétique et, en particulier, l’immeuble creation of the first French airlines. After Exupéry a fait huit années dans l’aviation boat with Captain Guillaumet, may I sais que vous venez de faire une double I must say, I was stunned at the scale dans lequel je suis en train de parler, le having worked as a pilot for two years postale à l’époque de la création des ask what were your impressions of this traversée aller-retour sur l’hydravion of this enormous construction and the Rockefeller Center, est une des choses on the various sectors of the Toulouse lignes françaises. Après avoir piloté marvellous journey? Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris avec le perfection of its lines. It seemed to me qui me fait de l’impression sur cette - Dakar line, he left for South America deux années sur les différents secteurs Capitaine Guillaumet. Je me demande that the Rockefeller Center gave this planète, j’ai voyagé un peu partout et je in 1928; there, he became Director of de la ligne Toulouse - Dakar, il est parti - Well, I was fortunate in that this journey quelles ont été vos impressions de ce impression of Mediterranean lightness dois dire que j’ai subi un choc devant la the Argentine domestic network, which en Amérique du Sud en 1928, comme was an opportunity for this craft – which, merveilleux voyage. and that this had nothing to do with perfection des lignes, la mesure de cette used to be a subsidiary of the French directeur du réseau intérieur argentin qui after seven years' service, is already the city of the future as it is promoted énorme construction. Il me semblait company, Aéropostale, which ran the constituait une filiale de la compagnie rather old – a record opportunity you - Et bien j’ai eu de la chance que ce voyage in popular culture… it's not gigantic, que le Rockefeller Center donnait une service between Toulouse and Santiago française aéropostale qui faisait le might say, as it enabled us to successfully ait été l’occasion pour cet appareil qui shocking or overwhelming at all... it has impression de légèreté méditerranéenne de Chile. In particular, Monsieur de Saint service Toulouse - Santiago de Chili. En complete the first direct intercontinental est déjà assez ancien puisqu’il date this lightness. et que ça n’avait rien du tout de la Exupéry carried out surveys there and particulier, Monsieur de Saint Exupéry y crossing by flying boat. We left New de sept années d’une sorte de record ville future telle qu’on la voit dans les created the line from Buenos Aires to the étudia et créa la ligne de Buenos Aires York at five in the morning, and the puisque nous avons pour la première - I'm delighted that you loved it so much. vulgarisations un peu… ce n’est pas du Strait of Magellan. au détroit de Magellan. next day, around lunchtime, we arrived fois assuré par hydravion la traversée And you say you are planning to travel tout énorme, choquant, écrasant, c’est at Biscarrosse, which is a lake near directe de continent à continent. Nous a little elsewhere in the United States, léger. As we well know, this eminent French Comme nous le savons bien, cette Bordeaux. Other than the impression sommes partis de New York à cinq heures perhaps to Washington or Chicago? figure is also the author of three books éminente personnalité française est one gets from having breakfast in New du matin et nous étions le lendemain, - Mais je suis très content que vous – Courrier Sud, Vol de nuit, and Terre également auteur de trois livres – York one day and having lunch in France presque pour déjeuner, à Biscarrosse qui - Ah, I know Washington. Yes, I'm l’aimiez tellement. Et vous dites que des hommes – translated into English Courrier Sud, Vol de nuit et Terre des the next, this journey – which, like all the est un plan d’eau proche de Bordeaux. planning to see something of the Pacific, vous comptez voyager un peu autre part and published in the United States as hommes – tous trois traduits en anglais best journeys, was uneventful enough – En dehors de l’impression que cela peut the Pacific Coast… aux États-Unis, peut-être à Washington Southern Mail, Night Flight, and Wind, et aux États-Unis. Vol de nuit fut nevertheless left me with an impression, donner d’avoir pris son petit-déjeuner à ? Chicago ? Sand and Stars. Vol de nuit won the couronné en France par le prix Femina which is what has often struck me about New York et de déjeuner le lendemain - The Pacific! San Francisco? Prix Femina in France and was made a et désigné en Amérique par la sélection aviation: thanks to the technology en France, ce voyage, qui, comme les - Ah Washington je connais. Je compte Book of the Month Club choice in the du Book of the Month Club, puis par un currently available to us, it seems to voyages heureux, n’a pas eu d’histoire, - San Francisco, Los Angeles… aller, oui, voir un peu le Pacifique, la United States, and was later made into film, Night Flight, de la Metro Goldwyn me that humanity is moving towards m’a laissé cependant une impression côte Pacifique… a film, Night Flight, distributed by Metro Mayer. Terre des hommes, dont la a kind of simultaneity, our ability as qui est une impression que j’ai souvent - And the World’s Fair in San Francisco Goldwyn Mayer. Terre des hommes won traduction américaine porte le titre human beings to be almost everywhere rencontrée dans l’aviation et qui est perhaps? - Le Pacifique ! San Francisco ? the French Academy's Grand Prix du Wind, Sand and Stars, fut couronné en at the same time, because transport is celle que la technique actuelle offre aux Roman literary award, and its American France par le Grand prix du roman de extremely fast and everyone can speak hommes – il me semble que l’humanité - Oh, yes. I imagine I will, for sure. - San Francisco, Los Angeles… translation, Wind, Sand and Stars, won l’Académie française et fut également to their most distant friends, and the marche vers une sorte de simultanéité, la the Book of the Month Club award in the désigné en Amérique par la sélection du distances between us are gradually présence de l’être humain étant réalisée - I hear there is also a beautiful pavilion - La World’s Fair de San Francisco United States. Book of the Month Club. shrinking, more so than time itself – it presque partout à la fois, le transport in San Francisco, a fine French pavilion. également peut-être ? seems to me that it is the distance which étant extrêmement rapide, chacun It's not only New York which has a fine And now, dear listeners, without further Et bien chers auditeurs, chères auditrices, is disappearing. And during our journey, pouvant parler aux amis les plus éloignés, one. - Oh probablement oui, certainement. delay, I will proceed to ask Monsieur de sans plus tarder, je vais me permettre this was illustrated in a rather curious et la distance s’efface peu à peu plus que Saint Exupéry a few questions so that maintenant de poser quelques questions way as we – well, our wireless operator le temps – je crois que c’est la distance - Yes, I look forward to seeing that. - On me dit qu’il y a également un he may tell us about his travels and his à Monsieur de Saint Exupéry de sorte – picked up a message, during a quiet qui s’efface. Et au cours de notre voyage, beau pavillon à San Francisco, un plans in the United States. qu’il vous parle de son voyage et de ce moment when he was unoccupied, he cela a été illustré d’une façon assez - Whilst we are on the subject, we beau pavillon français. Il n’y a pas qu’à qu’il va faire aux États-Unis. was passing the time listening to the air curieuse car nous avons capté – notre should talk about the French pavilion at New York qu’il y en a un beau. Monsieur, may I enquire if this is your waves during the flight, and he picked up radiotélégraphiste, pendant un moment the World’s Fair in New York, as it really first visit to the United States? Cher Monsieur, permettez-moi de vous a message that had been sent by a pilot où il n’avait rien à faire, où il s’amusait Antoine de Saint Exupéry sitting does merit further discussion. I'm sure if - Oui, je le verrai avec intérêt. demander si c’est votre premier voyage flying for a French airline, a local airline. à écouter les ondes en promenade, inside the Rockefeller Center you haven't yet visited it, you will surely - No, it's not my first visit. In fact, this aux États-Unis ? This was a message which he had sent a capté un message qui a été envoyé do so one of these days. - Et également, nous parlons toujours du is the fifth time I have travelled to the to the next stopover where he should par un pilote pilotant sur une ligne pavillon français à la World’s Fair de New United States. - Non, ce n’est pas le premier, c’est la have landed. And there we were, in the française, une ligne locale. Le message - I've not visited it because… I had lunch York mais c’est une chose qui mérite cinquième fois que je viens aux États- middle of the Atlantic, one thousand qu’il envoyait à l’escale où il aurait dû there. But I was busy afterwards. I have qu’on en parle. Et je suis certain que si - Well, well! Unis. or fifteen hundred kilometres from arriver. Et nous qui nous trouvions au not yet had the time to return there vous ne l’avez pas encore visité, vous New York, and, suddenly, we heard this centre de l’Atlantique, à mille kilomètre to see it properly, but one thing did n’allez pas manquer de le visiter un de - The first time, it was last year, in January, - Tiens ! message informing us that this pilot had ou quinze-cents kilomètres de New strike me, and that was that America ces jours. I flew here in a plane that embarked just suffered a failure in his core engine York, nous avons appris, brusquement, had reserved an admirable location for from Île-de-France – I set off from Île- - La première fois, ça a été l’année and that he feared a fire might break par ce message que ce pilote venait de France. Indeed, this pavilion is surely - Je ne l’ai pas visité parce que… J’y ai de-France aiming to break the speed dernière, au mois de janvier, j’étais venu out at any moment. We later learned subir une rupture au moteur central et one of the finest sites I know of… déjeuné. Et puis j’étais pris, je n’ai pas - Oh yes, the setting is magnificent! encore eu le temps d’y retourner pour Ladies and gentlemen, I have just had laisseront partir avec grand regret et que le voir plus longuement mais il y a une the great pleasure of introducing to you vous reviendrez aussi tôt que possible. - Magnificent! I think that it's very chose qui m’a touché, c’est l’admirable Monsieur Antoine de Saint Exupéry, N’est-ce pas que j’ai raison ? moving, that this is the sign of a very situation que l’Amérique a réservée à la the great French writer and pioneering deep friendship. France. Car ce pavillon est certainement aviator. We have spoken of the adventures - Je vous remercie de ces vœux et je un des mieux situés et je trouve… of Monsieur de Saint Exupéry who, it suis sûr que je prendrai le plus grand - Yes, but did you know that, at night, appears, has travelled all over the world plaisir à voir l’Amérique un peu plus a police cordon must be put in place - Oh oui, la situation est magnifique ! by plane, who has described to us his profondément. around the France building to prevent magnificent journey on the Lieutenant de the crowds going there from becoming - Magnifique ! Je trouve que c’est très Vaisseau Paris with Captain Guillaumet - C’est parfait. Eh bien, cher Monsieur je too large. émouvant, que c’est un signe d’amitié – whom I happen to know; we have vous dis aurevoir, je vous souhaite bon très sensible. also talked about the great books which voyage, agréable séjour aux États-Unis. It's true: from 9.30 p.m., these measures Monsieur de Saint Exupéry has written, must be taken to prevent too many people - Oui, mais savez-vous que le soir, on est three books in particular which have Mesdames, Mesdemoiselles, Messieurs, from crowding in there. It's really quite obligé de jeter un cordon de police autour been translated into English – Southern je viens d’avoir le grand plaisir de vous impressive, it's truly a clear indication of de l’immeuble de France pour empêcher Mail, Night Flight, and Wind, Sand and présenter Monsieur Antoine de Saint the popularity and the great merit of the que la foule y rentre trop nombreuse. Stars – and are well known in America. Exupéry, grand aviateur français et grand French Pavilion. écrivain français. Nous avons parlé des Well now, Monsieur, would you tell us a Mais c’est vrai : à partir de 9h30, on And, dear listeners, this marks the end of exploits de Monsieur de Saint Exupéry little about your latest literary work, it's a est obligé de prendre ces dispositions this programme. qui a voyagé partout paraît-il en avion, subject that will be of great interest, I'm pour empêcher qu’une trop grande qui vous a décrit son magnifique voyage sure, to our French-speaking listeners. foule s’y presse. C’est vraiment très I have been Richard Thomas. sur le Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris avec impressionnant, c’est vraiment une très Do stay tuned." le Capitaine Guillaumet – que je connais - OK, here goes. I'm very happy to be bonne indication de la popularité, du d’ailleurs –, nous avons parlé des grands able to tell you about it… grand mérite du pavillon de France. livres de Monsieur de Saint Exupéry, trois livres Courrier Sud, Vol de nuit et Terre - Yes? Et bien cher Monsieur, voulez-vous nous des hommes surtout, tous trois traduits parler un peu de votre dernière activité en anglais et qui sont bien connus aux - The day before I left on the Lieutenant littéraire, c’est une chose qui intéressera Américains. de Vaisseau Paris with Guillaumet for beaucoup, j’en suis certain, les auditeurs New York, two or three weeks ago now, de langue française. Là-dessus, chers amis, nous terminons a French publisher called Corrêa asked ce programme, nous vous prions de ne me if I would be interested in writing a - Et bien voici. Je suis assez content pas quitter l’écoute. preface for the French edition of a book même de le dire ici… Votre speaker Richard Thomas." by Mrs Lindbergh. - Oui ? - Ah? - La veille du jour où je partais sur - So I agreed – he wanted me to write le Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris avec a one-page introduction for French Guillaumet pour New York, il y a quinze readers. I had very little time, but I told jours - trois semaines, un éditeur français him "okay". I left and I took with me the qui s’appelle Corrêa m’a demandé si je proofs of this book – as yet unpublished voulais écrire la préface de l’édition – that he had lent to me so that I could française du livre de Madame Lindbergh. look at them. And I enjoyed this book so much, this book – which tells the tale - Ah ? of a journey by plane and transatlantic crossings (that, by happy coincidence, - Alors j’ai accepté – il me demandait une I happened to be reading on one such page d’introduction pour les lecteurs transatlantic crossing) – I enjoyed this français. J’avais très peu de temps, je lui "IT SEEMS TO ME THAT book so much that I wired this publisher ai dit « c’est entendu ». Je suis parti et j’ai to tell them that I would not be sending emporté en voyage les épreuves de ce them one introductory page, but a whole livre – qui n’avait pas encore paru – qu’il HUMANITY IS MOVING preface to express how much I had m’avait prêtées pour que j’en prenne enjoyed this book. connaissance. Et ce livre m’a tellement TOWARDS A KIND OF plu, ce livre qui raconte un voyage aérien - That's fascinating! I'm sure, Monsieur, et des traversées transatlantiques – que SIMULTANEITY, OUR ABILITY that I speak for all our French listeners j’ai lu par hasard pendant une traversée when I say that we are delighted to have transatlantique –, ce livre m’a tellement had you here in our studios at Radio City plu que j’ai câblé à cet éditeur que je AS HUMAN BEINGS TO BE New York and that we look forward to ne lui donnerai non pas une page de the pleasure of welcoming you back here présentation mais une préface pour dire ALMOST EVERYWHERE again in future. Let me shake your hand, combien j’avais aimé ce livre. and wish you "bon voyage" in the United States. I hope you enjoy a pleasant stay - C’est très intéressant, je suis certain, AT THE SAME TIME..." on our West Coast in California, and I cher Monsieur, que je parle pour tous les also hope that you will have the time and auditeurs de langue française lorsque je Antoine de Saint Exupéry, 1939 opportunity to come back and see us in vous dis que nous sommes enchantés New York before you leave America. And d’avoir pu vous recevoir dans nos studios I'm sure that the Americans will be very à Radio Cité New York et que nous sad to see you go and we hope you will escomptons dès maintenant le plaisir return as soon as possible. de vous recevoir à nouveau dans nos Isn't that right? studios. Je me permets de vous serrer la main, de vous souhaiter bon voyage aux - I thank you for your kind wishes and États-Unis, j’espère que vous passerez I'm sure I will really enjoy seeing more of un agréable séjour à notre « West Coast America. » comme nous le disons en Californie et j’espère également que vous aurez le - Perfect. Well, Monsieur, I'll say temps, le moyen de repasser nous voir à goodbye, and wish you a good trip and a New York avant de quitter les États-Unis. pleasant stay in the United States. Et je suis certain que les Américains vous

Antoine de Saint Exupéry at the NBC Studios The Rockefeller Center, New York The offices of publishing company Reynal & Hitchcock, 486 Park Avenue, New York. From left to right: Eugene Reynal, Curtice Hitchcock, Antoine de Saint Exupéry and Maximilian Becker. “Reynal & Hitchcock (his publishers) and Maximilian Becker (his agent) would try to keep him in New York, since experience had proven that to make Saint Exupéry write, he had better be locked in a room”

The tabletop of artist Bernard Lamotte

Engraved into the wood, among others, the autographs of: Charles Chaplin, Charles Boyer, Jean Gabin, Marlene Dietrich, Ingrid Bergman, Jean Sablon, Dali, Jean-Pierre Aumont, Grace Moore, Paulette Gaudard, Tyrone (Power), Annabella, Saint Exupéry and the first draft of The Little Prince, Jean Renoir …

The artist Bernard Lamotte in New York on the terrace of his studio with Antoine de Saint Exupéry, circa 1941/1942 It became La Grenouille restaurant in 1962 4 10 LIFE IN NEW YORK 1 7

UNTIL 1943 ANTOINE DE SAINT EXUPÉRY LIVED AND WORKED IN NEW YORK CITY.

11 More than just publishers... friends! The apartment of Eugene and 7 Elizabeth Reynal. A base for writing and rallying! 4 10 Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s Appartment 3 240th Central Park South. 9 8 11 Annabella and her husband, Tyrone Power. 6 5 Central Park, which Saint Exupéry loved 5 so much, was a frequent meeting place When, on 31 December 1940, Antoine for Antoine and his friend Annabella, an de Saint Exupéry admired the Statue of actress and comedienne. They got to 13 Liberty from the port of the USS Siboney – know each other in France, in 1935, while a small ship operated by American Export shooting the film Anne-Marie, which starred lines – on arrival from Lisbon. Annabella in the leading role. Antoine was the scriptwriter for the film, produced by 12 Raymond Bernard.

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Meeting with Silvia Hamilton. The Pulitzer House, 11 East 73rd Street, Madison. The Pulitzer House is where NBC Studios, The Rockefeller Center. journalist Silvia Hamilton and Antoine de Antoine de Saint Exupéry made a rallying Saint Exupéry began their relationship. call in French via the radio at the end of November 1942.

12 6 On 15th January 1941, Antoine de Saint Exupéry received a National Book Le Pavillon was a French restaurant whose Award in front of 1500 leading figures at ceiling was decorated with frescos painted the Hotel Astor, 44 Broadway. by Bernard Lamotte, Saint Exupéry's friend, the painter. Antoine dined and worked there many evenings.

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The Empire State Building, illustration from an article in the New York Herald Tribune, Bernard Lamotte and his "fishbowl". 1950s. When Antoine got up high with his Bernard Lamotte's studio at 3 East 52nd friends he liked to throw down unusual Street became La Grenouille restaurant in paper objects and watch them glide!. 1962. Bernard Lamotte was a renowned painter in New York in 1941. He lived on 52nd Street. His house, which also served 1 as his studio, featured a terrace with a glass roof, and so was coined "the fishbowl". P25. 13 On his arrival in New York, Antoine de Saint Offices of Reynal & Hitchcock, 486 Park Exupéry was welcomed by Hélène and Avenue. The role of the publishers. Getting The home of Greta Garbo, 35th Beekman Pierre Lazareff who accompanied him to Antoine de Saint Exupéry to deliver his Place. In September 1942, on his return his hotel, the Ritz Carlton. manuscript was quite a feat! Constantly from The Bevin House, Antoine de Saint dissatisfied, he would revise his work, re- Exupery stayed at 35th Beekman Place editing it with every pass. He would still be to finish writing The Little Prince. making corrections at the printer's bench!. THE LATÉCOÈRE 521

The huge seaplane, the Latécoère 521 Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris in its hangar in Biscarrosse, France The Latécoère 521 in its hangar in Biscarrosse, France THE FLYING GIANT

DURING THE THIRTIES, THE WORLD POWER FRANCE DEMONSTRATED ITS ENGINEERING PROWESS WITH ENORMOUS FLYING BOATS SUCH AS THE LATÉCOÈRE 521.

31.62 metres long, 9.07 metres high and produced a similarly impressive model, surpasses that of a first-class flight on a radio interview with NBC, he said that a wingspan of 49.31 metres: even from the "341 Clipper". one of today’s modern airliners. it was not just the feeling of having today's point of view, it is not difficult breakfast one day in New York and lunch to imagine what an impression the The Latécoère 521 was designed as a On 14 July 1939, the national day the next in France that struck him. The Latécoère 521 "Lieutenant de Vaisseau one-and-a-half-decker, a variant of a of France, the Latécoère 521 set off journey also illustrated something to him Paris" must have made on people during double-decker which combines a large for the first non-stop crossing of the that he said he had often considered the 1930s. The enormous flying boat upper wing and a pair of lower wings North Atlantic by flying boat, thereby in connection with aviation. Thanks to was designed in Toulouse in 1929 under with a much smaller area and wingspan. accomplishing a major feat in the modern technology, it seemed to him the supervision of French aeronautical This construction not only allows high conquest of the North Atlantic. Captain that humankind was moving towards a engineer, Marcel Moine, at the technical stability and thinner wing profiles, but Henri Guillaumet piloted the "Lieutenant kind of simultaneity. And, more so than department of pioneering aviation the passengers also have a better view de Vaisseau Paris" on this flight. The time itself, it was the distances that were company Société des lignes Latécoère, of the ground. Six powerful Hispano- flying boat covered the 5875 kilometres gradually disappearing, noted the author which was founded in 1918 by Pierre- Suiza 12Ydrs piston engines with an from New York (Port Washington) to of “Vol de Nuit” (“Night Flight”). Georges Latécoère. At the time of its output of 890 hp per unit provided the the Lac de Biscarrosse in France in 28 completion in 1935, the Latécoère 521 necessary lift. The hull of the flying boat hours and 27 minutes, with an average With the outbreak of the Second World was the largest aircraft ever built in was made of Duralumin, a specially cruising speed of 206 km/h. An airship War, the Latécoère 521's use as a France. hardened aluminium alloy. It comprised would have taken two to three times as passenger aircraft came to an abrupt a generous lower deck and a more long to cover the same distance. Also end. It had carried passengers on the The development of the flying colossus compact, narrower upper deck. On the on board was Antoine de Saint Exupéry. transatlantic route a mere twelve times. coincides with a time of progress when the lower level, there was a saloon with 20 At his heartfelt request, the French The era of giant flying boats is all the world powers were confidently celebrating armchairs and tables, a bar, a kitchen, as Minister of Aviation, Guy La Chambre, more fascinating today because not a their technological achievements, as they well as six luxurious cabins with private had nominated him as an "additional single one survived the destructive force did at the legendary New York World's bathrooms. The salon was furnished with pilot" for this test flight. The famous of the war. Just like its four successors, Fair in 1939. Similar to today's ability to light and elegantly designed furniture. passenger was not only interested in the Latécoère 521 was irreparably launch satellites into space, the operation the technical features of the Latécoère destroyed. of a transatlantic air link guaranteed In addition to comfortable armchairs near 521, he also kept the crew entertained international prestige and recognition. the windows, salon tables in the carpet- with funny stories, illusionist displays The Latécoère Foundation now Rigid airships had been in service on the covered aisle invited the passengers and card tricks. Shortly afterwards, works to preserve the legacy of these North Atlantic route since the 1920s. to linger and relax. Food was freshly Saint Exupéry returned to New York as fascinating flying boats. Alongside prepared in the on-board kitchens and a passenger aboard the "Lieutenant de this, the photographs of Antoine de However, the Hindenburg disaster of served on tableware specially made for Vaisseau Paris". Saint Exupéry’s journey, as well as his 1937 brought an abrupt end to their use the Latécoère 521. invaluable accounts as a time witness, for passenger transport. Flying boats The Atlantic crossing left a powerful make sure that this thrilling chapter of such as the Latécoère filled the gap. The On the transatlantic route, passengers impression even on such an experienced aviation history remains alive to this day. American aircraft manufacturer Boeing enjoyed a level of luxury that easily pilot as Antoine de Saint Exupéry. During Year commissioned: 1935

Designation: "Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris".

Type: Flying boat with central hull and stabiliser fins.

Streamlined airfoil: Full-metal hull and stablisers. Wings and tailplane with metal structure and fabric-covered sections.

Engine: 6 Hispano-Suiza 12 Nbr then 12 Ybrs 1 engines. Nominal output 5160 hp at 3300 m, 5100 hp at take-off. 4 Ratier traction propellers and 2 propulsion propellers (all variable-pitch propellers).

Dimensions: Span 49.31 m Length 31.62 m Surface area 330 sq.m.

Weight: Total weight, fully laden 37409 kg Fuel 14500 kg Commercial payload and luggage 4027 kg

Performance: Maximum speed of 256 km/h at 3000 m Cruising speed 213 km/h Operating range 5878 km

Use: Transporting passengers/freight over the Atlantic. The Latécoère 521 leaving the Biscarosse hangar Antoine de Saint Exupéry and Guillaumet in the cockpit of the Latécoère 521, in Biscarosse, 1939 Design drawings for the Latécoère 521, Latécoère Foundation Archives

Original designs by the interior designers of the Latécoère 521, Latécoère Foundation Archives

The salon furniture (designed by interior designer André Mauny) was made from an ultra-lightweight metal called alclad

Decorated like a luxury liner, the back of the bar on the An original plan of the pilot’s instrument panel Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris was adorned with precious wood on the Latécoère 521, Latécoère Foundation Archives marquetry, surrounding a bas-relief depicting Paris crowned with Glory! It was sculpted by Georges Muguet Planing: The huge seaplane, the Latécoère 521 Lieutenant de Vaisseau Paris taking off from the port of Le Havre, France, June 1935, Latécoère Foundation Archives THE WORLD NEEDS RESPONSIBLE YOUNG CITIZENS

“AS FOR THE FUTURE, YOUR TASK IS NOT TO FORESEE IT, BUT TO ENABLE IT”

- Antoine de Saint Exupéry

Pioneering Spirit Creating Bonds Sharing Commitment Sense of Effort Responsibility

Many children and young people do The Antoine de Saint Exupéry Youth not have access to a proper education. Foundation was created in 2009, under Their chances of success on the job the aegis of the Fondation de France, by market are therefore low and they cannot the family of the author of Le Petit Prince properly integrate in society. The Antoine (“The Little Prince”) and his admirers from de Saint Exupéry Youth Foundation is the worlds of aeronautics and literature. dedicated to helping them. The charitable organization was founded in 2008 by the True to the spirit of the French author descendants of Antoine de Saint Exupéry and aviator who defended a society to uphold his humanist legacy. based on respect for humankind, cultural diversity, cooperation, commitment and IWC Schaffhausen has been a partner of individual responsibility, the Antoine de the foundation since 2006 and regularly Saint Exupéry Youth Foundation carries releases special edition Pilot’s Watches out various philanthropic projects that in honour of Saint Exupéry. Part of the aim to improve the lives of youth and proceeds from the sale of these watches help them attain better futures. goes to support a number of different school and education projects. The The Foundation collaborates with local watches feature a signature tobacco non-profit organisations in France and brown dial and a brown calfskin strap throughout the world on generous, with cream-coloured quilted stitching. long-term initiatives to support concrete The unmistakable design is reminiscent action in the fields of education, culture, of the flight suit worn by Saint Exupéry handicap and literacy, with the support of during his reconnaissance missions. its partners and goodwill ambassadors.

On the left, Antoine de Saint Exupéry in his pilot’s uniform at the Pacheco Air base in Buenos Aires, Argentina, 1929/1931 ENGINEERING DREAMS. SINCE 1868.

THE QUEST FOR TECHNICAL PERFECTION IS PART OF THE COMPANY’S PHILOSOPHY

American pioneering spirit meets Swiss tradition

Just as Antoine de Saint Exupéry made his pivotal role. To keep track of flight time childhood dream come true by becoming and engine hours, and to determine a pilot, the history of IWC Schaffhausen their position using celestial navigation, also begins with a man who dared to for example, pilots and navigators dream big. Florentine Ariosto Jones was needed precise watches that functioned born in 1814 in Rumney, New Hampshire. reliably even under the challenging He later became a watchmaker and circumstances in the cockpit. worked for the E. Howard Watch & Clock Company in Boston, one of the IWC Pilot's Watches are not only most renowned American watchmakers distinguished by their iconic design at the time. Jones worked his way in the style of an easy-to-read cockpit up to the position of superintendent, instrument, they also possess specific gaining extensive knowledge of the technical features such as an inner advanced production methods used in cage made of soft iron, which effectively the American watch industry. However, shields the movement from the effects the desire to found his own watchmaking of magnetic fields. Their front glass is business continued to grow. specially secured so it does not become detached even in the event of a sudden To realise his dream, Jones travelled drop in air pressure. across the Atlantic to Switzerland in 1868. His visionary entrepreneurial idea IWC Schaffhausen's collaboration with was to combine the "American System the heirs of Antoine de Saint Exupéry of Watchmaking" with the craftsmanship began in 2006. Since then, the watch of Swiss watchmakers to produce manufacture has released several the best pocket watches of his time. spectacular special editions inspired Politicians and investors in Schaffhausen by the life and work of the famous welcomed the pioneer with open arms. French aviator and author. Just as Saint Jones founded the "International Watch Exupéry united two seemingly different Company" in the small town in north- worlds, these watches combine the eastern Switzerland, where he could technical world of flying with his iconic also use hydropower from the river and poetic stories. With their sepia- Rhine to power his machines. Within brown dial, reminiscent of the pilots’ just a few years, he built up a modern suits of the Saint Exupéry era, as well infrastructure for producing several as the original initial "A", these special thousand high-quality pocket watch editions have established themselves as movements per year. In doing so, the an independent brand within the Pilot's American not only laid the foundation Watches family. Elaborately designed for IWC's unique engineering approach engravings tell the moving stories behind but also established the centralised, the watches. On the case back of the industrialised production of mechanical Pilot's Watch Chronograph Timezoner watches in Switzerland. Edition "80 Years Flight to New York", the engraving of the Latécoère 521 The first Pilot's Watch was manufactured recalls the memorable crossings of in Schaffhausen in 1936. Since the early the North Atlantic by Antoine de Saint days of aviation, time had played a Exupéry in 1939.

Crafting fine timepieces in Schaffhausen IWC Schaffhausen Manufacture in the 19th century Assembly of the hand-wound caliber 59360 C redits

Images

Antoine de Saint Exupéry Youth Foundation, Paris.

Burki & Scherer AG, Oftringen.

Collection ville de Biscarrosse, Musée de l’Hydraviation, Origine Associated Press Photo.

Felix Streuli, Langnau a/A.

Getty Images, Munich.

IWC Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen.

Latécoère Foundation.

LIFE Picture Collection.

Valentin Jeck, Stäfa.

Interview

Courtesy of NBCUniversal Media, LLC.

Design and production

IWC Schaffhausen, Schaffhausen.

For this book, IWC uses paper from sustainable forestry cultivation projects as a means of supporting environmentally friendly forestry methods designed to protect the woodlands of Europe.

IWC Schaffhausen Baumgartenstrasse 15, CH-8201, Schaffhausen, Switzerland.

tel. +41 (0)52 235 75 65 fax +41 (0)52 235 75 01 [email protected], www.iwc.com

Pilot's Watch Timezoner Chronograph Edition “80 Years Flight to New York” Ref. IW395003 in stainless steel with brown dial and brown calfskin strap