fbpx
Brian M. Afuang
November 28, 2018    |    

A Sporting Chance

Annual Laureus Charity Night raises CHF1.1 million for various sports projects for the youth

ALL right, an R107 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Cabriolet from 1989 may have drawn a fair bit of attention at the 12th annual Laureus Charity Night held at Hangar Dubendorf in Zurich — it was, after all, a red convertible. But its CHF110,000 hammer price at the charity auction is only around half of what a special timepiece donated by IWC Schaffhausen fetched.

Put up for bidding was the IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition “Laureus Sport for Good” (Ref. IW504502). This unique piece combines a perpetual calendar with a tourbillon, with both complications housed within a platinum case. It has a glossy blue dial on which rhodium-plated hands are mounted. On its back is a sapphire crystal window that displays the in-house cal. 51950’s solid gold rotor, whose Pellaton self-winding mechanism indulges the watch with a seven-day power reserve. This exceptional piece went for CHF215,000.

The combined amount generated from the sale of the classic Mercedes-Benz and the haute horlogerie IWC — the two brands are intertwined in Formula One racing — form a part of the total raised during the event. At the end of the evening, a check for CHF1,111,111 was handed over to the Laureus Foundation Switzerland.

The proceeds are intended to fund the charitable sports projects run by the foundation, among which are the Laureus Girls in Sport and the Laureus Cavallo. The projects, meant to benefit Swiss youths, promote physical activities — and integration into these — among those who are disadvantaged in life, whether financially, socially or even physically.

“Every child should have the chance to shape their own future for the better,” the foundation says.

The Laureus Foundation Switzerland was established by IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-Benz Switzerland in 2006 as an offshoot of the international Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Laureus supports more than 10,000 children in Switzerland through four charitable sports projects per year. The Laureus Charity Night is its most important fundraising event and has been held every autumn since 2007.

In this year’s edition, attended by more than 650 guests from the sports, business, politics and entertainment circles, the theme revolved around the concept of “family” to stress the importance of how a sense of belonging and a strong support network are to the development of young people. Hosting the gala were TV sports presenter Rainer Maria Salzgeber and comedian Marco Rima. Guests and members of Laureus Foundation Switzerland were entertained by soul singer Marc Sway and his band, as well as by Swiss rapper Bligg.

The R107, not to mention the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon, did have some stiff competition that night.

RELATED STORIES

John Mayer Designs the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Limited Edition

Audemars Piguet unveils a limited edition Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar designed with musician John Mayer.

Exploring the Cosmos: OMEGA Speedmaster Moonwatch with Striking White Lacquered Dial

OMEGA's Latest Edition Pays Homage to Space Exploration and Heritage

Revving Up Victory – A Dakar Rally Tribute to Team Land Cruiser

Experience Dakar triumph with the G-SHOCK GW-9500TLC

The Ralph Lauren Safari Chronometer Gets a Bold New Look

The adventurous spirit of the new 42mm Ralph Lauren Safari Chronometer.