Schaffhausen, August 27, 2021 — In support of the world’s first space mission in which ordinary people serve as astronauts: Inspiration4, Swiss watchmaker Schaffhausen IWC has designed and donated a series of unique space-themed pilot timepieces that represent the mission’s four values:
Leadership, Hope, Generosity and Prosperity.
The watches will be worn by each of the four astronauts accompanying them on their space trips before they are auctioned off — one of the mission’s goals — to raise money for St.Jude Children’s Research Hospital®,
To help them carry out the great cause of saving lives.
IWC Pilot Chronometer “Inspiration4” special edition of the case is made of white ceramic, the eyes shine.
The unique color comes from a complex manufacturing process that mixes zirconia with other metal oxides in precise proportions.
According to Vickers, engineered ceramics are among the hardest substances on earth, second only to diamonds.
The dark blue lacquered dial, decorated with numerous stars through a pad printing process, vividly recreates the deep gloom of space.
There is also an Inspiration4 logo on the dial.
The watch is equipped with IWC self-made 69380 chronograph movement.
The names of the watches and the mission concepts each astronaut represents are engraved on the titanium backs of the watches.
These timepieces stand out with white rubber bands with inlaid leather.
The multi-day trip to low-Earth orbit represents a new era in human space flight and exploration, and was named Inspiration4 in honor of the four astronauts’ different missions in support of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the spirit of humanitarian relief.
The mission was the brainchild of Jared Isaacman, a 38-year-old entrepreneur and accomplished astronaut who will also serve as mission commander.
The launch is scheduled for September from NASA’s historic Launch Pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The spacecraft will orbit the Earth at an altitude of about 357 miles (575 kilometers) and a speed of more than 17,500 miles per hour (27,360 kilometers per hour).
After a journey of several days, the spacecraft will re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere for a soft-water landing off the coast of Florida.
Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of Schaffhausen IWC, said:
“Our founder, Florentine Ariosto Jones, came to Switzerland from the Americas with the ambition to revolutionise watchmaking;
Now, we still have the power of innovation — IWC is always a pioneer enterprise to explore.
We are honored to work with the Inspiration4 space flight mission to make history and raise money for such a great cause, guided by so many shared values.”
“Inspiration4 is the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, and ON behalf of the entire staff, I want to thank IWC Schafhausen for joining us and supporting us in raising funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,” Isaacman said.
A crew of four, four ideas, working together to dream in space
Inspiration4 is a unique and diverse team at its core.
Issac Man sits in the “leadership” seat, serving as the ship’s commander. He is the founder and CEO of Shift4 Payments, a savvy commercial and military pilot who has broken and held several aviation world records.
The “hope” seat was given to Hayley Arceneaux, a 29-year-old physician assistant at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and a cancer survivor.
Dr. Sian Proctor, 51, an entrepreneur who won a ride in a spaceship for his performance in a business competition, rode in the seat that represented the concept of success.
Finally, the “generous” seat will go to Christopher Sembroski, a 41-year-old airline and U.S. Air Force veteran who was lucky enough to get the gift for a fundraiser: a seat at Inspiration4.
The crew is currently undergoing commercial astronaut training at SpaceX, focusing on orbital mechanics, microgravity and zero gravity, and other forms of stress testing.
In addition, they will undergo emergency preparedness training, complete spacecraft entry and exit training and participate in full mission (or partial mission) flight simulations.
IWC Pilot Timing Watch “INSPIRATION4” special edition
Model: IW389110
Technical features: mechanical movement — hour, minute and second timing function — date and week display — small second hand with stop device — soft iron inner casing to protect movement from magnetic field effect — screen-in crown — table mirror mounting is stable and can withstand sudden pressure
Movement: IWC self-made movement 69380
Frequency: 28,800 times/hour (4 Hz)
Gems: 33
Power reserve: 46 hours
Chain automatic chain
Watch material: white ceramic, dark blue lacquer dial, white hands, white rubber strap with leather lining
Table mirror: double – sided anti – reflective convex transparent sapphire glass table mirror
Waterproof performance: 6 bar
Diameter: 44.5 mm
Case thickness: 15.7 mm
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