IWC Named Official Timekeeper of the First Commercial Space Station

The Haven-1 mission

Vast’s Haven-1 is currently under development and scheduled for launch in 2026. The project represents a milestone in private space infrastructure, designed to accommodate both professional astronauts and commercial research missions. The module will be launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and will later integrate with additional modules to form a larger commercial station, known as Vast-1.

As part of its collaboration with Vast, IWC will contribute to engineering studies aimed at enhancing the performance and durability of mechanical timepieces in space. The brand plans to test and fine-tune watch movements in microgravity to explore how extreme conditions affect components such as lubricants, balance wheels and escapements.

A continuation of IWC’s space heritage

The partnership with Vast builds on IWC’s previous involvement in space-related missions. In 2021, the brand supplied watches for Inspiration4, the first all-civilian orbital spaceflight mission organised by SpaceX and financed by entrepreneur Jared Isaacman. IWC also provided timepieces for Polaris Dawn, another Isaacman-funded mission, which followed three years later as part of the same philanthropic initiative.

These collaborations reflect IWC’s ongoing interest in aerospace engineering and precision under extreme conditions, aligning with the brand’s long-standing connection to aviation that dates back to the 1930s and its iconic Pilot’s Watch line.

Engineering insights and human connection

Under the partnership, IWC engineers and Vast’s research teams will study how mechanical movements behave in weightless environments. Findings from these experiments may contribute to the next generation of high-performance mechanical watches capable of operating reliably in a vacuum or under prolonged exposure to radiation and temperature fluctuations.

Beyond technical exploration, the project acknowledges a more emotional dimension. In long-duration missions, mechanical watches displaying Earth time can serve as tangible reminders of home, linking astronauts psychologically to their planet and daily human rhythms.

Looking ahead

The Haven-1 station is expected to be the first privately built orbital habitat to host a crew in low Earth orbit. IWC’s involvement positions the brand at the intersection of horology and aerospace innovation, illustrating how traditional Swiss craftsmanship continues to find relevance in modern scientific frontiers.

By supporting the first commercial space station project, IWC reaffirms its identity as a manufacturer where precision engineering, research and storytelling converge.