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On September 24, 2025, from Schaffhausen (Switzerland) to Long Beach (USA), a noteworthy piece of news was announced in the world of space watchmaking and technology: IWC Schaffhausen – a long-established Swiss watch brand – officially partnered with Vast, a pioneering startup developing commercial space stations.
Under this agreement, IWC became Vast's "Official Timekeeper," and together with Vast, conducted technical tests to improve the durability and performance of mechanical watches, not only on Earth but also in the harsh environment of space.
Max Haot, CEO of Vast (left), and Chris Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC (right).
Haven-1: The commercial space station that ushers in a new era.
Vast is currently developing Haven-1, the first commercial space station, scheduled to be operational in 2026. Prior to that, Haven Demo – an orbital laboratory – will be launched to test core technologies. With its modern design and focus on human experience, Haven-1 promises to be a place for living, researching, and manufacturing for both private astronauts and government missions, opening up scientific applications that will benefit Earth.
Max Haot, CEO of Vast, said: “IWC and Vast share a passion for innovation. This collaboration will be a historic milestone, opening up the possibility of developing mechanical watches that adapt to space and reflect the spirit of exploring new limits.”
The Swiss luxury watch brand IWC Schaffhausen has announced a strategic partnership with Vast, a pioneering technology company in the development of commercial space stations.
A new milestone in Switzerland's legacy of time and space exploration.
For IWC Schaffhausen, this journey is seen as a natural extension of a heritage closely linked to aviation for nearly a century. Chris Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC, shared: “We are proud to partner with Vast and look forward to exploring new horizons. A mechanical watch displaying Earth time is not just a timekeeping tool, but also an emotional bridge between the astronaut and their home.”
Previously, IWC watches have appeared on commercial flights such as Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn. This time, the Vast will go even further: the prototype watch is being tested by engineers against everything from vibrations during launch to real flight simulations on Haven Demo and Haven-1.
The collaboration with Vast marks IWC's first time becoming a brand partner in the aerospace sector.
IWC watches have previously appeared on commercial flights such as the Inspiration4 and Polaris Dawn.
Notably, this is also Vast's first brand agreement, marking the beginning of the commercialization era in low Earth space. For IWC, this is proof of how the brand blends its traditional craftsmanship heritage with a forward-thinking spirit.
For over 150 years, IWC has been renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship combined with cutting-edge technology, pioneering the application of new materials such as titanium, ceramic, and Ceratanium. This expedition beyond Earth is not just a technical experiment, but also a declaration of the enduring connection between humanity, time, and the aspiration to explore the universe.
