Get ready for a thrilling blend of luxury and space exploration as IWC Schaffhausen partners with the Polaris Dawn mission, set to launch on August 26, 2024, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This collaboration is not just about timepieces; it’s about pushing boundaries—both in space and here on Earth.
A Mission That Matters
Polaris Dawn isn’t just another space expedition; it’s the first in a series of three planned missions under the ambitious Polaris Program. The goal? To push the limits of human spaceflight and deepen our understanding of how humans can live and work in space. Leading this incredible journey is Jared “Rook” Isaacman, joined by a team of experts: retired Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Scott “Kidd” Poteet and SpaceX Lead Space Operations Engineers Sarah “Cooper” Gillis and Anna “Walker” Menon. Together, they’ll carry out 38 scientific experiments to benefit life on Earth and future long-term space missions. Each of the four astronauts will take off with an IWC IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Polaris Dawn” on their wrist for the duration of the mission.
Watches with a Cosmic Connection
In honor of this historic mission, IWC Schaffhausen has made a special timepiece: the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition “Polaris Dawn” (Ref. IW389111). This isn’t just any watch—it’s a piece of art designed for the stars. With a 44.5-millimeter case made of sleek white ceramic and a deep space-blue dial dotted with stars, it’s a watch that captures the magic of space exploration. Each of the four watches also has a titanium case back engraved with the name of one of the Polaris Dawn crew members, making it a unique keepsake from an extraordinary mission.
Supporting a Cause Close to Home
But the story doesn’t end in space. After the Polaris Dawn mission is complete, these exclusive IWC watches will be auctioned off at Christie’s in New York City, with all proceeds going to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. This world-renowned hospital has been a beacon of hope for children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases since it opened in 1962. Thanks to St. Jude’s groundbreaking research and treatments, survival rates for childhood cancer have soared from 20% to over 80%. And thanks to generous donors, families will never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food, allowing them to focus on what really matters—helping their child get better. Visit St. Jude Inspire to discover powerful St. Jude stories of hope, strength, love, and kindness.
Pioneering the Future of Space
The Polaris Program is about more than just exploring space; it’s about breaking new ground. During their five-day journey aboard the Dragon spacecraft, the Polaris Dawn crew will aim to achieve the highest Earth orbit ever flown, perform the first commercial spacewalk, and conduct vital research on the effects of long-duration spaceflights on human health. They’ll also test cutting-edge Starlink laser communications, setting the stage for future missions to the moon, Mars, and beyond. Learn more at polarisprogram.com/dawn/.
A Mission with an Impact
The Polaris Dawn mission is set to make history, but its impact will reach far beyond space. Through the auction of these unique IWC watches, the mission will support the life-saving work of St. Jude, bringing hope and healing to children around the world. As we count down to launch, we can all look forward to the incredible journey ahead—one that will inspire, innovate, and make a difference where it’s needed most.
For more information and to be notified of the auction, please visit this page: https://www.iwc.com/en/specials/ polaris-dawn-mission-auction-sign-up.html.
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