IWC introduces the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive, specially developed for Vast’s Haven-1 mission set to take place in 2027, at Watches and Wonders 2026.
Having produced watches for the aviation industry for over 90 years, IWC has unveiled the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive, designed specifically for Vast’s manned spaceflight planned for 2027, at Watches and Wonders 2026. As the first IWC timepiece engineered from the ground up for the requirements of a human space mission, the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive is optimized for the demands of space travel and timekeeping beyond Earth. One of the most striking features of the watch is its crownless design.
All functions are adjusted via an innovative rotating bezel, eliminating the need for a traditional crown. Inspired by the spacesuits worn by astronauts during spacewalks, the design is developed for ease of use while wearing gloves. The movements of the bezel are transferred to the winding stem through a clutch system called “Vertical Drive.” The watch can be wound either through its integrated rotor or by turning the bezel counterclockwise. The dial simultaneously displays two different time zones.
The mission reference time is indicated both by the central hour and minute hands and by a dedicated hand on the outer scale, which runs from 00:00 to 24:00 in a 24-hour format. A spacecraft completes an orbit around Earth in approximately 90 minutes, meaning astronauts witness 16 sunrises and sunsets within a 24-hour period. To manage this rapid day-night cycle, GMT or UTC formats are used. These systems preserve the familiar 24-hour rhythm of Earth time, helping the crew maintain consistent working and sleeping schedules in space. The second time zone function also offers convenience for frequent travelers tracking time across different cities, allowing the watch to display both space and Earth time simultaneously.
