IWC Schaffhausen Launches Pilot’s Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” Watch

Four tailored-made chronograph watches have been made for each of the crew members of the world’s first all-civilian mission to orbit the earth. The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” is crafted from one of the toughest materials on the planet and features a captivating star-studded dial.

The year 2021 will always go down in history for some very significant reasons, one of those being the year of the first all-civilian mission into space. It follows two successful attempts from the CEOs of Amazon and Virgin and will mark not only an incredible technical achievement but also aims to raise funds for a very good cause - St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. There will be four individual watches that accompany the four crew members on this exciting space flight named the Inspiration4. Each one will have the name and the operation’s mission values engraved into the back of a lightweight titanium caseback. The cases of the four new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” watches are crafted from an alluring white ceramic case. Each measuring 44.5mm in diameter, the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronographs will not only represent a new era in space flight and exploration but will highlight a landmark in IWC Schaffhausen’s heritage.

The new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” watch will act as a useful piece of equipment whilst each astronaut endures their spaceflight. But once back on the ground, it will become one of IWC Schaffhausen’s fundraising tools to raise money for the work and upkeep of the children’s hospital and will be auctioned off on November 6th of this year.

Today (and considering where our developments in space, science and research have taken us), timekeeping is as accurate as ever via the use of electronic devices. Yet nothing beats a durable and precise timepiece that can be worn and enjoyed on the wrist. And let’s not forget that wristwatches have been used as a backup during important space missions in the past. They have even saved lives. IWC Schaffhausen acknowledges that these space-themed chronographs from its Pilot’s Watch collection encompass values of Hope, Leadership, Prosperity and Generosity – values that we need to live by more than ever after the last 18 months.

The inspiration behind Insiration4

Jared Isaacman is the man behind the new mission – an entrepreneur and pilot who will serve as the Commander during the spaceflight. The Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is the location where the mission will commence in September, which will see the spacecraft orbit the earth at speeds reaching approximately 17,500 miles per hour and altitudes of 575 kilometres. The mission will finish with a soft water landing off the coast of Florida after several days. Jared Isaacman, a CEO of Shift4 Payments and a military pilot, will command the operation. He will join 29-year-old physician assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Hayley Arceneaux and a 51-year-old entrepreneur and trained pilot named Dr Sian Proctor. Also, a 41-year-old aerospace industry employee and United States Air Force veteran, Christopher Sembroski, who has undergone commercial astronaut training at SpaceX, alongside his fellow travel buddies.

The new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” watch

As mentioned, the new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph models measures a broad 44.5mm and have been crafted from white ceramic. To achieve the unique colour of the case material, a complex process must be carried out. The new reference IW389110 will offer a new take on the ceramic case that IWC has developed in the past. A mix of metal oxides and zirconium oxide enhances the resistance of the case and create the case’s distinct colouring. The only stainless steel elements on the case are the crown and the push-pieces that control the chronograph functions set against a stunning dark blue lacquered dial. The 30-minute function is located at 12 o’clock, balanced by a small second sub-dial at 6 o’clock. The 12-hour totaliser resides at 9 o’clock across from a day-date feature presented at 3 o’clock. Pad-printed stars against a rich blue backdrop echo the cosmos whilst the luminous central hands and Arabic numeral hour markers are faithful to the typical Pilot’s Watch styling, lighting up the dial in a rich glow by night. The chronograph counters on the dial are a deeper hue of blue, making this contrast between the main dial and the sub-counters easy to detect.

The new reference IW389110 is also powered by the calibre IWC 69380, which provides a 46-hour power reserve and is protected inside a soft-iron inner cage that shields the mechanism from shock and magnetic forces. The self-winding movement is capable of performing at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and comprises a column wheel and 33 jewels. The four watches are fitted on a white rubber strap with a comfortable white leather inlay. It encloses against the wrist with a folding clasp engraved with the IWC logo.

Technical specifications of the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Inspiration4

• Case: 44.5mm diameter – 15.7mm depth – white ceramic – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front secured against displacement by drops in air pressure – 60-meter water-resistant – screw-down crown - titanium caseback with a soft-iron cage
• Dial: Deep blue lacquered – pad-printed star effect – Super-LumiNova-coated Arabic numerals and hands – 30-minutes at 12H – 12-hours at 9H – small seconds at 6H – day-date at 3H
• Movement: Calibre IWC 69380 – self-winding – 48-hour power reserve – 28, 800 v/p/h – column-wheel – 33 jewels
• Strap: White rubber – white leather lining – stainless steel folding clasp
• Reference: IW389110
• Availability: 4 watches reserved for each of the four Inspiration4 crew