One of the most dramatic events of 2021 is the development of civilian space flights. Although efforts in manned civilian space flights have been limited to domestic projects for the ultra-wealthy, at this stage, these early endeavors could lead to broader future innovations, and IWC has joined the efforts for the latest of these manned civilian missions. Scheduled from September 15 to 18, 2021, Inspiration4 will launch from the iconic Kennedy Space Center in Florida, sending four crew members to low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 357 miles above sea level.
Beyond reaching space, Inspiration4 aims to carry a message of leadership, hope, generosity, and prosperity by raising funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The unique four IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” will play a crucial role in this space mission, both as equipment secured on the wrists of each of the four civilian astronauts during the spaceflight and as a fundraising tool when all four pieces are sold at a charity auction on November 6, 2021.
Even in our age, where perfectly accurate electronic chronometers constantly surround us, a durable and accurate mechanical chronograph can still prove to be an important backup option in case of equipment failure during spaceflight. For the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4,” this durability takes the form of a bold 44.5-mm zirconium oxide ceramic case. Designed in stark space-age white, the case follows the clean utilitarian lines of standard Pilot’s Watch Chronograph, but IWC has made several modifications with the harshness of space travel in mind. Instead of the usual concern about water penetration (for which IWC rates the watch at a middling 60 meters), the main issue related to pressure in space is the shifting of the crystal caused by sudden air decompression.
The sapphire glass of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” is reinforced precisely for this purpose, while the movement is housed within a soft iron inner case to prevent accidental magnetization from flight equipment. The case back of each of the four models is engraved with the titanium emblem of the Inspiration4 mission, as well as the crew member's name and one of the four core values of the mission: Leadership, Hope, Generosity, and Prosperity.
For the dial of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4,” IWC covers its standard Pilot’s Watch Chronograph design with a liberal dose of astronaut-themed elements. The grainy matte midnight blue lacquered dial surface is speckled all over with a printed white star pattern motif, and the 6 o'clock running seconds subdial foregoes a scale in favor of a printed Inspiration4 mission patch.
Aside from these visually literal space-inspired elements, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” fully mirrors the standard model as presented in the initial images. Slightly rounded Arabic numerals, the signature flieger arrow handset, the day/date complication at the “3 o'clock” position - all are present here, with the date and day wheels clearly integrated into the dial.
Inside the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” beats the in-house automatic chronograph movement 69380. While its layout bears a superficial resemblance to the long-standing Valjoux 7750, the 69380 is a fully proprietary design with a column wheel chronograph drive and a bidirectional pawl winding system. The power reserve is a respectable 46 hours at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per second. To complete the vibrant space-age aesthetic of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4,” IWC equips the watch with an optic white rubber strap with a matching leather insert.
Besides creating a bright and memorable riff on perhaps the quintessential pilot chronograph design, the four pieces of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” add a piece of spaceflight history to a brand with a long-standing legacy in aviation. Only four pieces of the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Inspiration4” will be made, intended for the crew members of the mission, to be auctioned on November 6, 2021, with proceeds going to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
As IWC does not plan to launch these watches into regular production, MSRP information for this model is unavailable. For more information, please visit the brand's website.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – IWC PILOT’S WATCH CHRONOGRAPH EDITION INSPIRATION4
Case: 44.5 mm diameter x 15.7 mm height – white ceramic case – steel pushers and crown, screw-down titanium case back with soft iron inner case for magnetic field protection – sapphire glass protected against displacement during atmospheric pressure drops – screw-down crown – water resistance 60 m
Dial: blue lacquered dial with printed white stars – hands and markers with Super-LumiNova coating – Inspiration4 logo
Movement: IWC caliber 69380, manufacture – automatic chronograph with column wheel – 33 jewels – 28,800 vibrations/hour – 46-hour power reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with 30-minute and 12-hour counters, day-date
Strap: white rubber strap with white leather insert – steel folding clasp
Availability: not released for sale – 4 watches reserved for Inspiration4 crew, to be sold later at a charity auction
Reference: IW389110