Vogue Scandinavia editor in chief Martina Bonnier documents her time in Los Angeles, celebrating the past, present and future of Swiss watch house IWC Schaffhausen, specifically previewing the brand's novelties, set to be unveiled at Watches and Wonders 2026. From iconic designs to future adventures, take in the trip through her lens, along with insights from IWC chief design officer, Christian Knoop
Dry, dusty, and truly out of this world. This was the stage Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen (IWC) chose to unveil its latest novelties ahead of Watches and Wonders 2026. The alien-planet-like landscape, a stark contrast to previous events like the Norwegian fjords, was found in LA.
This otherworldly setting aligns perfectly with IWC's new partnership with VAST, an American firm laying the groundwork for life beyond Earth. The collaboration's genesis lies in IWC's iconic Pilot's watch. "IWC has a long history in pilot's watches and aviator watches," explains Christian Knoop, the brand's chief design officer. This heritage led the brand to work with French astronaut Thomas Pesquet in 2021, whose mission took the timepiece to the ISS, subsequently pulling IWC deeper into space travel.
Visiting the VAST centre was a potent reminder of the critical need for precise timekeeping in space. For astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS), witnessing 16 sunrises and sunsets daily can utterly shatter one's sense of time. This is where IWC's expertise shines, crafting timepieces of exquisite accuracy and practicality for life beyond our planet. "Space aviation is definitely on the horizon," Knoop affirmed. "After 90 years of aviator watches, the next step and the future for us is space."