The IWC Pilot ‘Polaris Dawn’ is going to space
Published on Nov 17, 2022 at 8:00 AM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Nov 17, 2022 at 8:00 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
This is the IWC Pilot Chronograph ‘Polaris Dawn’ and it is going to space.
In March 2023, four of these IWC Chronographs will be worn by the crew that will reach orbit aboard a SpaceX shuttle.
READ MORE: Top 5 watches with the craziest and weirdest shapes
IWC teamed up with SpaceX, the spacecraft manufacturer founded by Elon Musk, to develop a limited-edition timepiece that can survive in space.
The 44.5mm case is made using a combination of white ceramic and zirconium.
Meanwhile, the caseback is made from titanium.
And each caseback is engraved with the name of one of the four crew members.
Having said that, the real star of the show here is the dark blue lacquered dial.
It is adorned with white stars and in addition to that, it features the mission logo at the 6 o’clock.
The dial definitely stands out even from afar.
Upon their return to Earth, all four watches will be auctioned to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.
There’s no pre-auction estimate but there is, however, a precedent.
Last year, four IWC Pilot that joined the Inspiration4 mission, the first all-civilian space trip to orbit, were sold for $405,000 in total.
About IWC
IWC was founded in the United States in 1868 but it is based in Schaffhausen, Switzerland.
It is currently owned by Richemont, the same company that also owns Panerai, JLC, Cartier and Montblanc, among others.
The watchmaker is often associated with the Big Pilot, a large, easy-to-read timepiece designed for aircraft pilots.
In 2004, IWC signed a multi-year partnership with Mercedes-AMG and their collab is still ongoing.
In fact, just earlier this year IWC unveiled a Pilot Chronograph Edition Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
