The Omega Speedmaster is by far the watch most associated with outer space, and it remains the only watch authorized by NASA for use during extravehicular activity (AKA space walks).
But dozens of other watches have ventured outside Earth’s atmosphere, from early astronaut favorites like the Rolex GMT-Master to Fortis’s continuing flights with various space agencies around the globe.
One brand that has recently taken a liking to outer space is IWC. Last year, the Schaffhausen-based brand created four special chronographs to accompany the crew of the Polaris Dawn mission, with the space-worn watches later being auctioned off for charity.
Now, IWC is entering the next phase in its conquest of space by being named the official timekeeper of the solar system’s first commercial space station.
International Watch Station
Founded in 2021, Vast plans to kick off the next Space Age by launching the first commercial space station. Currently under construction with plans to launch next year, the Haven-1 space station will function as a state-of-the-art “human-centric” space station for both private astronauts and government projects.
Vast’s ultimate goal is to create long-term living solutions for humans in space, and Haven-1 is the first step toward that goal. Central to reaching that literally lofty goal is the Haven-1 Lab, a facility on the station devoted to research, development and manufacturing in outer space.
