A ceramic case, bezel, and caseback crafted from Ceratanium, plus a matte black dial with dual-time zones. Beneath it sits a new movement with an extended power reserve. The Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive is IWC’s first watch designed with astronauts in mind.

You can count on one hand the manufacturers with extensive experience in pilot watches. IWC Replica is the undisputed leader in this group (its first “aviators” were created exactly 90 years ago). The brand often references this part of its history, offering updated versions of models from the Mark or Big Pilot’s series.

But IWC also skillfully combines watchmaking traditions with cutting-edge technology, as evidenced by its surprising, avant-garde timepieces (remember the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber XPL unveiled last year?). Now, a model unlike any other in the Schaffhausen-based manufacturer’s collection joins this group. This is the Pilot’s Venturer Vertical Drive, designed for use in space.

A watch designed with astronauts in mind

Designed as a device for astronauts (it is not a modified version of an existing model), the Venturer was developed in collaboration with the American company Vast Space, which plans to launch the first commercial space station, Haven-1, into orbit next year.

During the development of this project, it was necessary to take into account the conditions prevailing throughout the mission, including strong vibrations, G-forces reaching 4G, vacuum, radiation, and temperature fluctuations (from over 100°C to -150°C). The Venturer is prepared for all of these situations, as confirmed by rigorous testing conducted by Vast Space.