IWC JOURNAL: Back from Space – Polaris Dawn Watches Auctioned to Benefit St. Jude

The Journal

Back From Space – Polaris Dawn Watches Auctioned to Benefit St. Jude

By Elisabeth Gruender

Read Time: 3 min

Elisabeth Gruender

LEARN ABOUT THE SPACE-TRAVELED PILOT’S WATCHES AND POLARIS DAWN MISSION COMMANDER JARED ISAACMAN’S DEDICATION TO SUPPORT ST. JUDE CHILDREN’S RESEARCH HOSPITAL®

Polaris Dawn Mission Commander Jared Isaacman in front of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

On September 10, 2024, the Polaris Dawn crew launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a five-day mission to space. Their goals were ambitious: to reach the highest Earth orbit since the Apollo missions, conduct the first commercial spacewalk, and perform dozens of scientific experiments.

Along for the journey were four IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Editions Polaris Dawn (Ref. IW389111), each engraved with an astronaut’s name. Now back on Earth, these watches will be auctioned at Christie’s in New York, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

The IWC Journal spoke with Polaris Dawn Mission Commander Jared Isaacman about his longstanding commitment to St. Jude. After the interview, the Journal had a chance to chat with Slater, a young St. Jude patient, and his family about their journey and the importance of dreaming of spaceflight.

Pilot in dark flight suit shaking hands with a young boy in front of jets

— Jared Isaacman during a meet-and-greet with St. Jude patient Slater

THE LIFESAVING WORK OF ST. JUDE

What first inspired you to get involved in the organization?

Isaacman: My journey with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® began when I first discovered its incredible mission to treat and defeat childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases globally. The idea that no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing, or food profoundly moved me.

Over the years, witnessing the direct impact of the work that St. Jude does and the hope it brings to families and kids everywhere has kept me deeply committed. It’s a cause that resonates with my belief in giving back and making a tangible difference in the world.

Can you share a memorable moment from your time working with St. Jude?

Isaacman: One of the most unforgettable experiences was seeing Earth from space alongside Hayley Arceneaux, a St. Jude physician assistant and patient, who also became the first cancer survivor in space. It was incredibly moving to witness her journey from battling cancer to achieving something so extraordinary. Sharing that moment with her, knowing the impact St. Jude has had on her life and countless others, made it profoundly memorable.

Four astronauts in dark flight suits posing in front of a welcome display at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

— The Polaris Dawn crew - Anna Menon, Sarah Gillis, Scott Poteet, and Jared Isaacman (l-r) - during their visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

The Polaris Dawn mission with zero gravity

Four commercial astronauts in dark flight suits posing in front of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

— The Polaris Dawn crew - Anna Menon, Scott Poteet, Jared Isaacman, and Sarah Gillis (l-r) in front of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

THE POWER OF CONNECTION

Part of the St. Jude mission is to ensure that families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. How does this align with your philanthropic values?

Isaacman: The mission of St. Jude aligns perfectly with my philanthropic values because it emphasizes compassion, support, and accessibility, all while ensuring equity and with a bold vision full of possibilities for the future. Ensuring that families can focus on their child’s health without the burden of financial stress is a principle I deeply believe in. The mission of St. Jude is unparalleled, and I am continually inspired by its premise that no child should die in the dawn of life.

How has your involvement with St. Jude impacted your own life and perspective?

Isaacman: It has taught me the importance of resilience, hope and the power of connection. Seeing the strength of the children and their families has been both humbling and inspiring, reinforcing my commitment to support such a vital cause.

Knowing that the proceeds will help further this lifesaving work makes this auction incredibly special to me as we should all be doing whatever we can to make this world a better place.
– Jared Isaacman

ospital entrance with St. Jude statue in front, illuminated at night

Entrance to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Memphis, Tennessee
(1/5)

Shondra Pruett-Miller, PhD, Director of the Center for Advanced Genome Engineering, with the Polaris Dawn crew - Sarah Gillis, Anna Menon, Scott Poteet, and Jared Isaacman (l-r)
(2/5)

Two women and a man wearing masks, standing in front of a colorful wall displaying individually crafted sheets of paper representing the ‘ABC’s of Cancer’

The Polaris Dawn crew at the ‘ABC’s of Cancer Wall’
(3/5)

Colorful lobby inside St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Patient Care Lobby at St. Jude
(4/5)

Bronze bust of founder Danny Thomas at the Danny Thomas Research Center

Bust of Danny Thomas, founder of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® and ALSAC (American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities), at the Danny Thomas Research Center
(5/5)

WATCHES FOR A CAUSE

What significance does the IWC Polaris Dawn watch auction hold for you personally?

Isaacman: It’s not just about raising funds; it’s about raising awareness and rallying support for St. Jude. Each one of us can be mission owners. Knowing that the proceeds will help further this lifesaving work makes this auction incredibly special to me as we should all be doing whatever we can to make this world a better place.

For those watching the auction or following the mission, what would you like them to know about St. Jude and how they can get involved?

Isaacman: I want you to know that St. Jude is a beacon of hope. The support of communities from all over the globe, whether through donations, spreading the word, or participating in events, contributes to saving lives and advancing research. Together, we can ensure that no child faces cancer alone and that families can focus on healing.

— The Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition Polaris Dawn (Ref. IW389111) features a 44.5-millimeter case made of white ceramic and dark blue lacquered dials printed with countless stars and the mission logo

Front and back shot of a chronograph made of white ceramic and blue dial

— Jared Isaacman’s Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition Polaris Dawn (Ref. IW389111) is one of four to be auctioned on December 9, 2024, at Christie’s New York

A family posing with a group of pilots in front of an aircraft

— Slater, his parents, and Jared Isaacman with pilots on the runway

SLATER’S STORY OF RESILIENCE AND HOPE

What would you like other families facing similar health challenges to know about St. Jude?

Slater’s family: When you receive the news that your child has cancer, it’s the beginning of a downward spiral of fear, doubt and complete hopelessness. It’s paralyzing, and can make it almost impossible to make important decisions that may affect the chances of saving your child’s life. From the moment you first step through the doors at St. Jude you instantly feel a sense of hope and calming. […] St. Jude made an unbearable situation bearable, and after almost a year and a half of treatment our then 5-year-old boy was finally declared NED - No Evidence of Disease. I can’t imagine having endured any part of that journey without St. Jude, and the unbelievable care and guidance they provide.

ZOOM CALL FROM SPACE

Slater, what was it like for you to watch the Inspiration4 mission?

Slater: It made me really happy to see Hayley [Arceneaux, St.Jude cancer survivor and astronaut on Inspiration4] having an amazing experience and supporting St. Jude at the same time. I was really proud that those rockets helped raise so much money for St. Jude. I couldn’t believe it when I saw those people go to space. It must have been scary going there, but the astronauts are super brave just like me.

Did you have a favorite moment?

Slater: I liked when the astronauts had the zoom call from space. It was so awesome seeing them in space, having fun, and talking to us back on Earth while it was really happening. I also loved seeing the launch up close because it was so cool to see the rocket go to space.

How did watching the mission make you feel about space and science?

Slater: It made me think that maybe one day I can go to space and even facetime my friends and family while I am there. I know if Hayley can go to space, then I can probably do anything I dream about in my life too. I want to be a gourmet 5-star chef one day, and I believe I can really do it!

Pilot in dark flight suit conversing with a young boy and his family on a runway

— Jared Isaacman with Slater and his family

Slater’s story is one of resilience, hope, and determination. At just four years old, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 High-Risk Neuroblastoma. His family turned to St. Jude, where cutting-edge treatments and unmatched support gave them hope. Through a trial, Slater received world-class care, including chemotherapy, radiation, and antibody therapy, all at no cost to his family. Five years later, he is in remission, defying the odds and dreaming of space travel – a future made possible by St. Jude.