Schaffhausen/Geneva, Switzerland, April 14th, 2026: IWC Schaffhausen unveils the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive at Watches and Wonders in Geneva. This next-generation tool watch 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.
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When our engineering division XPL developed the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive, they did not simply adapt an existing watch design for use in space. They took a blank sheet of paper and worked to define from scratch what a tool watch for astronauts would have to offer in terms of functionality, ease of operation, time display and material execution. Every single detail of this watch has been single-mindedly optimized for the unique requirements of human spaceflight and timekeeping in space. It was crucial for us to put the final watch into the experienced hands of real space professionals. After undergoing rigorous testing by our partner, Vast, the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive is the first IWC watch that has received certification for spaceflight.
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DESIGNED FOR OPERATION WITHOUT A CROWN The Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive features an innovative, patent-pending rotating bezel system that allows all watch functions to be controlled without the use of a crown. Inspired by the scenario of astronauts wearing a space suit during spacewalks (EVA, or Extravehicular Activity), the ultimate exploration moment, the watch is designed to be able to be operated while wearing gloves. The movements of the bezel are transmitted to the winding stem through an efficient clutch system known as “Vertical Drive.” A rocker switch on the side of the case enables the wearer to change between various functions, including winding the movement or setting the two different time zones. The watch can be wound using the integrated oscillating mass or by rotating the bezel anti-clockwise. This hybrid winding system ensures efficient operation both on Earth and in microgravity or zero-gravity environments. |
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EXTREME ROBUSTNESS AND PERFORMANCE When ascending to space on a rocket, the engines generate powerful vibrations and astronauts experience acceleration forces of up to 4g, which is equivalent to four times the force of gravity on Earth. In space, hardware is exposed to vacuum, radiation and extreme fluctuations in temperature. Temperatures can exceed 100 °C in direct sunlight and plummet to -150 °C in the shade. To ensure high robustness and reliable operation during all phases of a mission, the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive is crafted entirely from advanced performance materials. Its case is made of white zirconium oxide ceramic. With a Vickers hardness rating second only to diamond, ceramic ranks among the hardest substances on Earth. The rotating bezel and case back are crafted from Ceratanium®. Developed by IWC, Ceratanium® combines the lightness and structural integrity of titanium with a hardness and scratch resistance similar to that of ceramic. The combination of these two materials makes the watch not only highly robust and resilient but also immune to temperature fluctuations and corrosion. The case back features an engraving that symbolically evokes a space vehicle, reflecting humanity’s curiosity and spirit of exploration. The Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive is fitted with a white integrated FKM rubber strap. FKM (fluorinated rubber) offers excellent thermal insulation and is resistant to UV radiation, ensuring extreme durability. |
