IWC launch new edition of Laureus sport for Good Foundation

13 september 2007

Article published by: ArabianBusiness - Posted on Wednesday, 12 September 2007

Press Release Content

IWC Schaffhausen, the exclusive Swiss watch manufacturer, is the part sponsor of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, an organisation which uses sport as an instrument to guide underprivileged children and young people towards a better future. The Foundation adheres to the simple principle that sport has the power to change the world and every year, the Laureus World Sport Awards bestow honours to the best individual athletes and teams from across the sporting spectrum. In return, the worldwide projects of the charitable Laureus Sport for Good Foundation are brought into the spotlight and receive publicity for all the valuable work that they perform. The language of sport is universally understood.

In addition sponsoring the Laureus World Sport Awards awards, IWC Schaffhausen also plays a part in making this good idea more widely known, through issuing a special edition of one of its classic watches, with a share of the proceeds from the sale of each piece going into the Laureus Foundation. Last year saw the creation of the Portuguese Chrono-Automatic Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation model, which was limited to 2,000 watches. This year, it is the turn of the Pilot's Watch Chrono-Automatic to receive the Laureus treatment; an exclusive timepiece of which only 2,500 will be produced.

IWC secured its reputation with its famous collections of Pilot's watches; timepieces which debuted in the golden age of 1930s flying. Early examples of such models are today much sought after as valuable collectors' items; with the range as a whole developing over the years into one of IWC's most enduringly popular collections. Traditionally encased in stainless steel, the Pilot's watches take their inspiration from the altimeter and other dials found in an aircraft cockpit and are easily distinguishable with their classic black dials and white hands and markers.

The Pilot's Watch Chrono-Automatic Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation shares many of the attributes of IWC's famed professional pilot's watch, including the 79320 mechanical

chronograph movement, with a 44 hour power reserve, day and date display, small seconds with stop function and soft iron inner case to shield it from magnetic fields. Scratch resistant sapphire glass protects the dial and is secured to withstand any drop in air pressure. This limited edition version reveals its unique Laureus character at first glance - the dial is not black, as seen on the traditional Pilot's watch, but features the deep blue of the Laureus brand's colour scheme; a presentation that is complimented by the blue crocodile leather strap.

As in the previous year, in addition to the consecutive numbering and the reference to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the back engraving once again makes room for the winning drawing from a children's painting competition. It constantly reminds the wearer that he has invested not only in an outstanding horological product, but also in new potential for good. This year's painting competition, which was held under the theme "Time for Joy," was won by an 8-year-old girl, Jimena Mainé, from Canelones in Uruguay. Her drawing shows three girls playing basketball in glorious sunshine.

Jimena is one of hundreds of children whose life has been enriched by the Gonzalo Rodriguez Foundation. Its aims of combating school truancy, violent behaviour and drug abuse are supported by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. By playing handball, football and basketball, 6- to 12-year-old children in Barrio Rosso are coached to develop team spirit and mutual respect and to play the game according to the rules. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation funds and promotes such initiatives worldwide to harness the power of sport to tackle pressing social issues. It works to fight against the problems associated with crime and drugs, to regenerate forgotten communities and to break down the barriers in war-torn nations. The Laureus Foundation believes that sport stands as a universal language which can be used in the education of all.

IWC are one of the founding members of the Laureus organisation and its name has become synonymous with craftsmanship by discerning watch connoisseurs the world over. IWC are the only watch manufacturer located in the east of Switzerland and it has been producing quality mechanical timepieces for over 140 years.