IWC Watches And Polaris Dawn Mission Return From Space

Four IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Polaris Dawn models in white ceramic with space-blue dials are back on Earth. Along with their wearers, they launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 05:23 EDT on September 10th, 2024. The four members of the crew and their watches safely splashed down off the coast of Florida at 03:36 EDT on September 15th. Jared Isaacman, Kidd Poteet, Sarah Gillis, and Anna Menon spent nearly five days in orbit and completed their first commercial extravehicular activity (EVA). With their feet back on the ground, the crew handed over the four IWC watches because they will go up for auction at Christie's New York to raise funds for the lifesaving work of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.The successful Polaris Dawn commercial spaceflight mission was the first of three spaceflights for the Polaris Program. These missions aim to rapidly advance human spaceflight capabilities by demonstrating new technologies and conducting extensive scientific research to expand our knowledge of humans adapting, living, and working in space.? Polaris Dawn Commander Jared Rook Isaacman and his crew - retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Scott Kidd Poteet and SpaceX Lead Space Operations Engineers Sarah Cooper Gillis and Anna Walker Menon - were very busy during the days they spend in space. Did they have much time to admire the Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Polaris Dawn on their wrists?You can own one or all four IWC watches that went to spaceTheir research in space included a study on spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS), a crucial risk to human health during long-term spaceflight. But there was also time for some casual violin playing aboard the Dragon spacecraft, always with the IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Polaris Dawn (ref. IW389111) on the wrist. The crew brought back the watches not as souvenirs for themselves but to raise money for charity. This means you can acquire a space-flown watch while helping the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This is a leading research institution and hospital headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, that treats childhood cancers and other pediatric diseases.The four-of-a-kind IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Polaris DawnFrom a humanitarian and watch enthusiast’s standpoint, bidding generously will be worth it. The Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Polaris Dawn features a 44.5mm case in white ceramic with a titanium case back. On that case back, you will find an engraving of the name of one of the four crew members. This is what makes these seemingly four-of-a-kind watches, in fact, unique. What makes them irresistible is the stunning dark blue lacquered dials printed with countless stars and the mission logo. The four Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Polaris Dawn will be put up for bidding during the Dawn of Time auction at Christie's in New York City this December. Check Christie's website for updates and the exact date of the auction that has yet to be announced. Watch specifications Brand IWC Model Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Polaris Dawn Reference IW389111 Dial Lacquered, space blue with white stars, printed white Arabic numerals and hour markers, three sub-dials, mission patch, and day/date window Case Material White ceramic Case Dimensions 44.5mm (diameter) 53.7mm (lug-to-lug) 15.7mm (thickness) Crystal Sapphire with antireflective coating on both sides Case Back Titanium with Polaris Dawn mission patch and crew member's name engraved Movement IWC 69380: automatic chronograph with manual winding and hacking, 28,800vph frequency, 46-hour power reserve, 33 jewels, column wheel Water Resistance 6 bar (suitable for water sports and snorkeling) Strap White rubber (21mm width) with folding clasp Functions Time (hours, minutes, small seconds), chronograph (12-hour and 30-minute registers, central seconds), day, and date Special Note(s) Limited to four pieces to be auctioned for charity at Christie's New York in December 2024