Imitation IWC Automatic, Replica IWC Automatic Watch

IWC Pilot's Watch Mark XVIII (IW3270-01)

great, fast, easy

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by samantha taylor, From United Arab Emirates Alsharja

IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Ceramic Gold German (IW3755-01)

I got mine today,the brown strap.The watch in itself is perfect but the crystals are small and dull.The design is perfect and looks cool and casual that can go with almost everything.I just wish the crystals would sparkle more.

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by BarbieAnne'sAttic, From Malaysia Bota

IWC Ingenieur Automatic Laureus (IW3239-09)

good seller here, woud buy from anytime.one you can trust for sure,good job

---- [Rating: 5 / 5 stars]

Review by Janice Z, From USA El Paso Texas

Carl F. Bucherer welcomes Roland Ott, a qualified watchmaking industry expert and experienced manager in global marketing, communications, and brand management. As Executive Vice-President of Marketing & Communication, he will oversee the international marketing and communications department, and become a member of the brand's management team. His main responsibility will be to further strengthen our blossoming brand around the world.

In the past, Roland Ott has occupied executive positions at various leading watch brands in the Richemont Group. At IWC Schaffhausen, he made a substantial contribution to establishing the brand's international renown. He also supported Geneva-based brand Roger Dubuis in its successful relaunch and repositioning.

Roland Ott graduated from the University of St. Gallen (HSG) with a degree in business administration, and went on to deepen his knowledge at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Sotheby's Geneva and Swiss luxury watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen are proud to offer a stunning unique piece, which will be auctioned during Sotheby's sale of Important Watches on 10 November 2015 in Geneva. The Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince" (Ref. IW371810) in red gold combines the technical sophistication of an impressive split-seconds mechanism with a wonderfully whimsical feature made up of seven stars - echoing the famous tale of „The Little Prince" and the personality of his creator. All the proceeds will benefit the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Youth Foundation, the charitable organization dedicated to supporting disadvantaged young people all over the world through local initiatives, providing education and training.

Looking ahead to the sale, Tim Bourne, Sotheby's Worldwide Head of Watches said: "It is a pleasure to offer this specially-designed IWC timepiece as part of our November 10th auction in Geneva. The watch combines a wonderfully striking design with technical workmanship of the highest order. We are delighted to once again join forces with IWC Schaffhausen in support of work of the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Youth Foundation."

The much-loved tale of "The Little Prince" has been told and re-told through generations, and has been translated into more than 260 languages and dialects. At the heart of the celebrated young character's allegorical odyssey are his journeys to seven planets, upon which he meets an array of seven unique inhabitants: the king, the vain man, the drunkard, the businessman, the lamplighter, the geographer and finally a rose.

Each stage of the little prince's journey is incorporated into the design of this specially-created Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince". The midnight-blue dial of the watch includes a surprising and playful feature: a jumping star display is arranged inside the faint line of the circle at its centre. Each day of the week, this captivating display lights up a different star in glittering gold, symbolizing the different planets visited by the Little Prince. They, along with the names of their inhabitants, are engraved on the back of the watch. The reverse side of the case also features a portrait of the prince himself, allowing the wearer to know which realm the little boy is visiting at any given moment.

As well as the poetry of the "jumping stars", the Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince" combines all the features of a watch designed for flying. Among them, the chronograph split-seconds hand complication - also known as a double chronograph - whose sophistication is often underestimated. Its two stop-watch seconds hands mounted one on top of the other present watchmakers with a challenge, and allow the owner to reliably record intermediate times, even within the same minute.

Further impressive functions in this fascinating variant include automatic winding, chronograph with aggregate time recording up to 12 hours, and a soft-iron inner case as protection against magnetic fields.

The proceeds from the sale will benefit the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Foundation, in support of a hospitality and catering school in Mae Sot in Thailand. The centre offers training and a comprehensive education programme to disadvantaged young people from the region, in particular those of Thai Karen origin. Those attending the school gain professional experience as well as formal education, giving them vital tools and access to a better future.

A king who rules over a fictitious realm, a businessman who believes he owns the stars, a geographer who never leaves his desk: having abandoned his own tiny asteroid in search of a friend, the little prince meets various inhabitants of other planets who lead strange lives. IWC Schaffhausen has taken this journey through the universe from Antoine de Saint-Exuperys "The Little Prince" as a reason to crown the new Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince" (Ref. IW371807) with an enchanting mechanism.

The midnight blue dial with its characteristic cockpit design has a surprising feature: a jumping star display is arranged inside the faint line of the circle at its centre. Each day of the week, this captivating day display lights up a different star in glittering gold. However, the change does not take place in any particular order: the gleaming golden star appears appears to jump at random between the seven different positions on the dial. The stars punched out on the dial symbolize the planets visited by the little prince. They are also engraved in the same order on the back of the watch, to - gether with the name of their inhabitants: the king, the vain man, the drunkard, the businessman, the lamplighter, the geographer and finally the rose. We also find a playful indication of where the little boy with the wheaten hair happens to be at the moment, as well as a portrait of the prince himself, on the reverse side of the case. Incidentally, the owner of the watch decides which star on the dial is illuminated on which day of the week by using the crown to make the golden star jump to another position.

The chronograph split-seconds hand complication is now licensed to fly in the Pilot's Watch special edition "Le Petit Prince". Also known as a double chronograph, this mechanism has two stopwatch seconds hands mounted one on top of the other which allow the owner to reliably record intermediate times, even withinthe same minute. The Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince" is a fascinating variant that combines all the features of a watch designed for flying with an additional poetic element. Its functions include automatic winding, the time of day, date, weekday in the form of a jumping star display, small hacking seconds, chronograph with aggregate time recording up to 12 hours, split-secondsfunction, sapphire glass with antireflective coating on both sides which is secured against drops in pressure, as well as the soft-iron inner case found in IWC's Pilot's Watches as protection against magnetic fields. The midnight blue dial underscores the watch's sporty yet elegant character while the Super-LumiNova®* coating on the hands and appliquesguarantees excellent legibility, even in the dark. The engraving on the case back makes it clear that only 1,000 examples of the watch will be made. The Pilot's Watch Double Chronograph Edition "Le Petit Prince" is supplied with a matte brown calfskin strap with decorative beige stitching.

Before the end of the year, the IWC collection will be enriched with 17 new references in a 37mm case diameter that clearly aims to capture the hearts - and wrists - of the lady. The new Portofino Midsize collection offers a variety of case materials, as well as different dial and strap colours and diamond settings to meet what the brand's CEO Georges Kern describes as "an increasing worldwide demand for watches set with diamonds."

But despite the brand's testosterone-filled recent past, the Portofino collection, which traces its origins to the large 46 millimetre "grande dame" watch of 1981 (Ref. 5251) already included a much smaller 34 mm version launched in 1984, when the Portofino name was first introduced.

The quaint fishing village on the Ligurian coast of Italy from which the Portofino takes its name was used to set the scene for the Midsize line in spectacular style with the help of renowned photographer Peter Lindbergh and a cast of award-winning Hollywood actors. Some of the best photos from among the 21,000 images taken during this three-day shoot were on display at an exhibition unveiled by Peter Lindbergh and Cate Blanchett, one of the stars of the shoot, at the Zurich Film Festival last weekend. The exhibition will travel to Hong Kong, London and Miami before ending its journey in Dubai.

Ladies' complications
The flagship in IWC's Portofino Midsize line is a moonphase complication using the Calibre 35800 self-winding movement with a 42-hour power reserve and its headline model has a 37mm red-gold case set with 90 diamonds, with a further 84 diamonds on the black lacquer dial. Other red-gold models are available with 66 diamonds set on the case and 12 on a black or white mother-of-pearl dial. There is also a stainless-steel version with the same diamond setting. All but two models in the new collection feature Santoni alligator leather bracelets that are produced exclusively for IWC by the famous shoe manufacturer. Two models with an equally Italian touch in the form of refined Milanese straps complete the collection.

Two additional models in the same 37mm case diameter offer a practical day and night display on a 24-hour scale around the interior of the mother-of-pearl dial with its 12 diamond hour markers. Available in stainless steel or 18-carat red gold, these are powered by the IWC Calibre 35700 movement, which offers a 42-hour power reserve.

Midsize
Although lacking in romanticism, the infix Midsize at least wears its heart on its sleeve. The core of the collection, these ten references have the same 37mm case after which they are named and are powered by the IWC self-winding Calibre 35111, again with a 42-hour power reserve. They are available in stainless steel or 18-carat red gold with diamonds either on the case or the dial and alligator leather straps in a wide variety of colours: black, light brown, dark brown, grey, red, lilac and orange.

The new range is completed by three Portofino Automatic models in the slightly larger 40mm case diameter with cases in 18-carat red or white gold set with 72 diamonds, slate or silver-plated dials and black or dark brown alligator leather straps.

Nico Rosberg may have made it to the top in motor racing's supreme discipline, but has he got the manual skills it takes to be a watchmaker? And how does a MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team driver, whose main preoccupation is slicing thousandths of a second off his lap times, feel about time in a more general sense? Under the watchful eye of a master watchmaker from IWC Schaffhausen, Nico Rosberg and a group of journalists went straight to the heart of a pocket watch. Dressed in white coats and equipped with loupes and tweezers, they carefully assembled a wheel train, barrel and barrel bridge, and crown wheel. Well versed as he is in technical matters, Rosberg made a good impression at the watchmaker's bench. Concentrated and focused throughout, he finally succeeded in bringing his movement to life.
 

At Home The World Over
The exclusive watchmaking class was held as part of a media day at The Charles Hotel in Munich, where IWC Schaffhausen, Official Engineering Partner of the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team since January 2013, received its brand ambassador Nico Rosberg. Selected journalists were given a deeper insight into the partnership between two companies that have dedicated themselves entirely to precision technology and top-flight engineering. Over lunch, the popular three-time Grand Prix victor provided a first-hand account of his everyday life as a FORMULA ONE driver who is in the spotlight 20 times a year at racing circuits all over the world.
 

High Technology And Craftsmanship
As a young man, Nico Rosberg received an IWC watch from his father and has felt close ties with the luxury watch brand ever since. "For me, IWC watches combine not only complex technology and top-class performance but also passion and emotions," said Rosberg during a podium discussion with IWC CEO Georges Kern, explaining the factors common to watchmaking and motor racing. "It's a great honour for us to have Nico as our brand ambassador," added Georges Kern. "He's an outstanding individual with a dynamic personality, but he also has qualities such as team spirit, a yearning for perfection and progress, all coupled with the desire to give of his very best. These are values we also cherish at IWC Schaffhausen." The cooperation between the Swiss watch manufacturer and MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS is based on a mutual commitment to using their pioneering spirit and expertise to sound out the limits of mechanics. The result of this is the new Ingenieur watch collection from IWC, which, with its technical innovations and the use of materials typically found in motor racing, such as carbon fibre, ceramic and titanium aluminide, typifies the quest of both companies for perfection at the very highest level.

I have great trouble explaining Baselworld to anyone who's not been. Seriously - is it possible to understand even remotely the galactic scale and Faustian ambition of Hall 1.0 without actually seeing it?
And what of the transient decadence of the pavilions (the word 'stands' is now etymologically insufficient for some brands, I gather)? How do you justify the cost of these things against the time they're actually of any use?
Or the people - oh, so many extraordinary people. Drawn from all corners of the globe as if answering the Siren's call, they are a perfect study in the peculiar diversity of the luxury world.
And how exactly does one insert into this inadequate explanation the preponderance of pushchairs? Yes, pushchairs - incongruous, incorrigible and infuriating, they trundle into the path of whirling wordies with inevitable frequency. Do they not know we have hopelessly ambitious appointment schedules to keep?
 

There is, I have concluded, little a dull-eyed Baselworld graduate can do to convey its majesty and its madness.
By contrast, what I can allude to with considerably more lucidity is the nature of the wristwatch that accompanied me on my annual Baselworld pilgrimage this year.
Rather like the fellow at school who always wore non-regulation shoes, I went off message and travelled with one of my picks from this year's SIHH strapped to my ulna - the IWC Ingenieur Automatic (black dial, for the record).
I've liked this watch ever since I first laid eyes on it, and judging by the reactions I got as it peeked out from under my cuff at the fair, I'm far from alone. The consensus among those prepared to offer a view - which, given this profession attracts the firm of mind, was most - was that it was the standout piece in IWC's line-up this year.
There was a caveat to the appraisals, mind. Its superiority, so went the rationale, owed as much to the aesthetic paucity of the other nine pieces in the revamped Ingenieur line, as to its own excellence.
Which will be an uncomfortable sentiment for IWC. While I don't agree with it entirely - I had the black-dialled version of the Double Chronograph Titanium on my wrist for a few days earlier this year and found little wrong with it - I'm happy to argue the case that IWC tried to do too much with the Ingenieur reboot. It felt overthought and overwrought.
 

No little irony then, that the one thing they didn't do was make all the new pieces antimagnetic - that quality has been attributed only to the Automatic. Which was perplexing. The Ingenieur is one of the great antimagnetic watches of the last 60 years, but without its original trick it feels like a Land Rover without four-wheel drive. It stops making sense.
On top of that, it's a missed opportunity. Anti-magnetism is big this year and I'll happily nail my colours to the mast and say technical developments made in this area will prove to be the most significant over the course of this decade - just as the use of silicon was in the last. IWC could and should have shared in the antimagnetic spoils this year - and probably will further down the line - given it's a brand that rightly prides itself on its engineering creds.
But enough of that. Because what I really wanted to say is how good the Automatic is. As well as being antimagnetic, its proportions are nigh on perfect (on my wrists, an extra millimeter on the 40 would have been handy - but I'm nitpicking); its bracelet is a lesson in ergonomics and very simple to adjust; and because it's a faithful restyling of the late, great Gerald Genta's 1976 IWC Ingenieur SL, its kudos is guaranteed.
I'd suspected as much beforehand, but Baselworld confirmed it - the IWC Ingenieur Automatic is one of this year's standout watches.

Seventy years following the first publication of "The Little Prince", the most successful work by Antoine de Saint- Exupery, IWC Schaffhausen has again made a special contribution to supporting the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Youth Foundation.
The unique piece Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition "Le Petit Prince" in platinum was among the timepieces under the hammer at the Sotheby's Geneva recent auction of Important Watches. The unique Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Edition "Le Petit Prince" in platinum (Ref. IW502801) was sold for CHF 173,000. Together with the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Youth Foundation, IWC is using the proceeds to support the construction of a school with a library in Cambodia, thereby contributing to the fight against illiteracy.
"This auction is a sign of our respect for the Foundation's commitment to fighting illiteracy. As a globally successful company, we take our social responsibility seriously and have since 2006 maintained a collaborative relationship with Saint-Exupery's heirs and the Antoine de Saint-Exupery Youth Foundation, which is based on the humanistic values of the renowned pilot and author," comments Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, regarding the auction.
Olivier d'Agay, great-nephew of Antoine de Saint-Exupery and Director Saint-Exupery - d'Agay Estate, is delighted with the result of the auction: "Not only did the highest bidder acquire a precious unique timepiece, they can also rest assured that their contribution will be put to good use. With the proceeds of the auction we will help provide Cambodian children with a school education and thus a better future. Reading is key to their development and self-realization." The Foundation works closely with the non-governmental organization Sipar, which combats illiteracy in Cambodia. More than 200,000 children have benefited from access to books and literacy activities through the creation of libraries and education centres.
Mobile libraries bring reading material to remote areas, and every month Sipar publishes books in the national language Khmer, including "The Little Prince" by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Thanks to this cooperation and with the support of IWC Schaffhausen, a new school building with five classrooms and a library is currently being built in the village of Roluos in the province of Siem Reap. The school is scheduled to be opened in spring 2014. "Without the commitment of b partners such as IWC Schaffhausen, we would be unable to fulfil our mission," emphasizes Olivier d'Agay. "IWC has close links with the world of aviation, and shares the values of Saint-Exupery. We are working together to help young people to build their own futures, and encourage them to take responsibility and adopt an active role in society. We are delighted to be able to offer young people a perspective for the future thanks to the significant proceeds from this auction," adds the great-nephew of the world-famous author.

To mark the occasion, IWC invited around 100 prominent guests, including car enthusiasts from the worlds of Swiss business, politics and the media, to The Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich. The star attraction of the evening, much to the delight of the assembled guests,  was a vehicle that has gone down in the annals of motorsport and laid the foundations for that legend: the Mercedes-Benz W 25. The vehicle set up the course record in 1934 and came in for a pit stop in Zurich on its journey back to the course on the Klausen Pass in central Switzerland.  "For decades, IWC has carved out a name for itself with its passion for outstanding engineering and technical achievement combined with precision of the highest order. These are attributes that unite us with motor sport in general and more especially with the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team, of which we are the Official Engineering Partner. Both partners are keenly aware of their roots and their historic legacy. And our decision to send the Mercedes-Benz back to the Klausen Hill Climb is a tribute to the birth of the Mercedes Silver Arrow." explained Linus Fuchs, IWC Managing Director Switzerland.  
From the moment they entered the foyer of The Dolder Grand, guests were transported back to the 1920s and 1930s - the era of the original Klausen Hill Climb races. Countless mementos of the time, including breathtaking black-and-white photographs and film footage, the original poster - a painting - for the race in 1934, Rudolf Caracciola's registration, the Mercedes-Benz W 25's victoryin 1934 and the original timekeeping equipment.  An exhibition dedicated to the Silver Arrow provided an introduction to the IWC Schaffhausen Ingenieur watch line tradition. Guests also had a unique opportunity to watch an IWC watchmaker at work. The designer engineers at IWC Schaffhausentook were inspired by the W 25 when they relaunched the Ingenieur watch collection in 2013 and they dedicated one particular timepiece to a vehicle with a glittering past: the Ingenieur Chronograph Silberpfeil (Ref. 3785).
Well-known Swiss presenter Rainer Maria Salzgeber was MC for the evening's festivities and chatted to Linus Fuchs and Michael Bock, Head of Mercedes-Benz Classic, about the background to the team's entry in this year's Klausen race. Michael Bock gave a fascinating insight into the complex business of preparing a historic and extremely valuable racing car like the Mercedes-Benz W 25 for its return to motorsport. Fritz Trumpi, the man behind the 11th International Klausen Hill Climb, and automobile historian Urs Paul Ramseier treated the audience to more details about the car's background together with a wealth of exciting anecdotes. The absolute highlight of the evening, however, was the moment when the wraps were lifted to reveal the W 25 with the characteristic silver aluminium bodywork that earned this vehicle the nickname "Silver Arrow". The W 25 on display is the last roadworthy model in the series and at the same time the jewel in the crown of the Mercedes-Benz Classic collection.
The Mercedes-Benz W 25 of 1934 was meticulously prepared for its return to the Klausen Hill Climb at the Mercedes-Benz Classic workshops in Stuttgart. Almost eighty years after its victory on the Klausen Pass and RudolfCaracciola's record-breaking time of 15:22.20 minutes, IWC Schaffhausen and the registration of the IWC Mercedes- Benz Classic have paved the way for the return of this magnificent vehicle. Between 1922 and 1934, the world's top racing drivers gathered in central Switzerland to battle it out at hair-raising speeds on the 21.5-kilometre gravel road to the top of the Klausen Pass. After its stop-off at The Dolder Grand, the Mercedes-Benz W 25 resumed its journey to the starting line for the 11th International Klausen Hill Climb, which brings together racing greats from present and past. One of the stars of the event is sure to be Roland Asch, German hill climbing champion and twice DTM runner-up. Though Asch is now retired from his career as a racing driver, his passion for motorsport and racing cars remains undiminished. As one of the few individuals who know how to drive a Mercedes-Benz W 25, he will be wearing the number 65 for the IWC Mercedes- Benz Classic team, just as Rudolf Caracciola did in 1934.
 

It devotes itself to sport and the improvement of society through sport. Every year, the very best sportsmen and sportswomen in the world are honoured at the Laureus World Sports Awards. Its work also includes supporting underprivileged young people in over 60 community projects on every continent through the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Every one of those projects utilises sport as the vehicle for social change.
Laureus World Sports Academy
At the heart of Laureus is the Laureus World Sports Academy, a unique association of the greatest sporting legends. The Academy members, who between them account for 100 Olympic medals, about half of them gold, 100 world titles and 200 world records, share a belief in the power of sport to break down barriers, bring people together and to improve the lives of young people around the world.
The Laureus World Sports Academy is the ultimate sports jury, voting each year to decide the winners of the Laureus World Sports Awards and acting as global ambassadors for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, volunteering their time to visit projects in order to draw attention to the problems afflicting society today.
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation supports community projects in places of deprivation throughout the world. Since 2000 the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation has funded and promoted initiatives worldwide which use the power of sport to tackle pressing social issues. From the ability to overcome the battle against crime and drugs, to breaking down the barriers of wartorn nations and to regenerate forgotten communities, sport stands alone as a universal language which can be used to educate and to overcome adversity. The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation supports over 60 projects worldwide and since its inception has improved the lives of almost 150,000 children.
Examples of projects include Fight With Insight in Johannesburg, South Africa, a boxing project for young offenders, which aims to channel their aggression into more positive areas. The Magic Bus Sports Programme, in Mumbai, India, which creates "classrooms without walls", and offers sports activities, education, food and healthcare to children who have no choice but to live on the streets, and in some cases those who have been forced into prostitution. In Israel/Palestine, the project Training for Peace, brings young people together through sport from two divided communities.
In Sarajevo, Bosnia, Spirit of Soccer teaches young people to be aware of the risks of 500,000 land mines still remaining in their communities, and in Richmond, Virginia, American teenagers play in a Midnight Basketball League which has helped to tackle drug and crime problems, taking the kids off the street and into the basketball courts. Diverse projects, yet all making a deep impact on their respective communities. Many of the projects are tackling the root of such problems namely drug addiction, poverty, criminality and even AIDS, through sport.
Underprivileged children rub shoulders with the legends of sport
The members of the Laureus World Sports Academy regularly visit Foundation projects, bringing much needed publicity and demonstrating to the participants and their leaders that their work has the backing of their communities and the outside world. The Academy aims to promote all that is positive and worthwhile in sport, and to reinforce the work of all those who stand up for fair play, honest effort and the joy of taking part.
Young people who meet Edwin Moses, Mark Spitz, Bobby Charlton, Martina Navratilova or Boris Becker are left with a b, positive impression. These great sporting legends, who simply want to give something back to society in return for everything that sport has given to them, become great role models for the young people. That is why every Academy member is committed to donating his or her time each year to visit projects. Laureus Academy Chairman Edwin Moses explained: "The Laureus World Sports Awards are a way of drawing the world's attention to what really matters - our work with communities with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The greatest thing we can do is change lives for the better through sport."
Eight National Laureus Foundations
Laureus thinks globally and acts locally. This strategy means that the global Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is also supported by several National Sport for Good Foundations. The National Sport for Good Foundations are in Argentina, France, Germany, Italy, USA, South Africa, Spain and in Switzerland. Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, insists that the company bears a social responsibility: "The privileged people on this planet - and we are among them - must do something to help those who are socially, physically or economically disadvantaged. We as a company bear a social responsibility."
Working alongside the Laureus Academy members are also a large number of Laureus Friends and Ambassadors, a group which includes many current world-class sportsmen and sportswomen who are committed to working to help underprivileged young people within their own countries.
The Laureus World Sports Awards
The Laureus World Sports Awards is considered to be the highest international accolade of its kind. The annual selection of the winners covers all sporting disciplines in a variety of categories. With their superb sporting credentials, who could be better qualified to make the annual selection than the Academy members? The Academy members vote by secret ballot for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year, Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year, Laureus World Team of the Year, Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year, and Laureus World Comeback of the Year, the nominations for which are made by the Laureus Media Selection Panel, an elite group of the world's most influential sports editors, sports journalists and broadcasters from 125 countries. Academy members also vote for two other categories: Laureus World Alternative Sportsperson of the Year respectively Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year and Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. In addition, the Academy presents, at its discretion, the Laureus Lifetime Achievement Award, the Laureus Sport for Good Award and the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award.
The Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy is American athletics legend Edwin Moses, the former double Olympic 400 metres hurdles champion, supported by Vice Chaipersons, Tanni Grey-Thompson from the UK, wheelchair racer and 11 time gold medal-winner, and Boris Becker, from Germany, the tennis legend and three-time Wimbledon champion.

Time for social responsibility

Laureus and IWC

Watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has joined forces with Laureus, an organisation that combines sport and social commitment at the very highest level. Every year Laureus presents the Laureus World Sports Awards to the best sportsmen and sportswomen from all over the globe, while the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation uses sport as a means of helping to give children and young people a better future.
The man at the helm of IWC Schaffhausen has no fears for the future of the Swiss watchmaking company. "The IWC brand is more successful today than ever before", says CEO Georges Kern. And now the company is using its strength to empower young people in critical social situations. Since 2005, IWC Schaffhausen has been one of the driving forces behind Laureus, an organisation established in 1999 by two successful international companies, Daimler Chrysler (today Daimler) and Richemont. Daimler represented by its Mercedes-Benz brand, while Richemont, which unites numerous well-known brands in the watch, jewellery and writing instrument industries, selected IWC Schaffhausen as its representative. The watch manufacturer has been making high-quality timepieces since 1868 under the motto "Probus Scafusia", good, solid craftsmanship from Schaffhausen. Sportive watches are one of IWC's most important segments besides horological specialities.
Laureus has two central missions: the first of these is its annual Laureus World Sports Awards, given to the world's most outstanding sports performers; the second is the support offered by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation to projects all over the world which help young people in difficult social conditions to help themselves.
The mission of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is to utilise the power of sport to address social challenges through a worldwide programme of sports related community development initiatives, using sport as a tool for social change.

Taking responsibility with social commitment
Georges Kern explains the company's motivation to adopt this commitment as follows: "The privileged people on this planet - and we are among them - must do something to help those who are socially, physically or economically disadvantaged." This clearly does not only apply to individuals but also to the economy as a whole. "We as a company bear a social responsibility." And the company carries out these responsibilities not only through the overarching Laureus Global Foundation, but also through a direct commitment with the national Laureus Sport for Good Foundations. This may take the form of additional financial subsidies, support from IWC's local employees and local infrastructure, or from the IWC network in the country in question. In Switzerland, for example, IWC Schaffhausen is playing a particularly important role in the setting up the Swiss branch of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. 
IWC obtained its first experience of social sponsorship through its support of the Cousteau Society, which was founded by Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the legendary diver and underwater filmmaker, in 1974, and whose central objective is to preserve the foundations for life in the world's oceans. Another important partnership is the one with the descendants of the famous French pilot and great writer Antoine de Saint Exupery. To support the humanitarian project Vol de Nuit/Vuelo Nocturno of Saint Exupery's greatnephew in Buenos Aires, a unique watch of IWC came up for auction with Christie's New York. IWC donated the proceeds from the sale to that association that looks after the interests of disadvantaged children in Argentina.
Time for social responsibility Laureus and IWC
The top man at IWC explains this engagement as follows: "Today, people expect companies to give them authenticity and to represent genuine values." Solidarity with underprivileged individuals is one of those values. It is the sustainability principle that is becoming increasingly important for society and, ultimately, for potential customers. In the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which helps underprivileged children and adolescents to help themselves, IWC has found the ideal partner for an active form of social commitment. Social sponsorship has been almost de rigueur for successful corporations in the USA for some time now, and the significance of this mix between charity and marketing is becoming increasingly important in Europe. "Do good things and talk about them: that is the motto."
Combining top-level sport with charity
In the case of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, in over 60 projects worldwide almost 150,000 children and adolescents have been helped since its inception and have benefited from the commitment of the two corporations. "The major strength of this Foundation is the combination of charity and sport at the very highest level", says Georges Kern. Ultimately, one of the main supports of the organization is the Laureus World Sports Academy. "This consists of the most important sports personalities in the world", Kern points out - not without pride - adding the rhetorical question, "Where else - apart from Laureus - will you find names like Mark Spitz, Edwin Moses and Boris Becker working together to the same end?" Between them, the Academy members account for over 100 Olympic medals, 100 world championship titles and 200 world records.
If only for this reason, IWC's commitment to Laureus represents a unique chance for the company, explains the CEO. As a manufacturer of top-quality sports watches, IWC Schaffhausen already has a close affinity to sports stars of the past and present. It is undoubtedly a huge honour for the watch manufacturer to work so closely with such successful and irreproachable sports and stars. It is also significant that the Academy is made up of more than 20 different nationalities, as well as a wide range of races, cultures and religious beliefs. Georges Kern sees this as yet another symbol that sport is able to surmount the boundaries between nations, races, cultures and religions. Or, as Nelson Mandela once so succinctly expressed it: "Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers."
Underprivileged children rub shoulders with sport's big stars
Academy members were already close to their public while still active. Today, they maintain this closeness by regularly visiting projects organised by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. By doing so, they give the projects public significance and at the same time indicate to the children and adolescents involved - who are usually disadvantaged - that they are being taken seriously by society. At the same time, these encounters with the stars leave a lasting, positive impression on the young people. Any youngster who has had a chance to run against Edwin Moses, play tennis with Boris Becker or kick a football with Bobby Charlton is not going to forget it in a hurry.
In the short time that IWC Schaffhausen has been involved with Laureus, Georges Kern has spoken to many of the Academy members. And he hears the same sentiment repeated time and time again - "I'd like to give back something for everything that sport has given me." This explains why the Laureus sporting legends are prepared to donate their time to travel around the world each year doing what they can to support the various projects.
The book "Let the Children Play"
IWC Schaffhausen has conceived and produced a unique book called "Let the Children Play" in collaboration with the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which outlines the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The high quality coffee table book with powerful iconic photographic images and on-the-ground reports will generate greater awareness of the mission of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which uses sport as a vehicle for social change in deprived communities.
Facts on the book
"Let the Children Play", is a hard cover coffee table book, published by IWC in English and contains 276 pages. The book can be ordered over the internet at www.iwc.com or www.laureus.com It is non-profit making and part of the proceeds will go towards the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

Press release

The jury was unanimous. In the red dot award: communication design, one of the world's biggest and most prestigious competitions of its kind, the Swiss watchmaking company's app for the iPad, IWC WATCH International 1/2011, earned a much-coveted red dot. In a process lasting several days, the 15 jurors - without exception internationally respected design experts - assessed every single one of the 6,468 entries. Of these, just 608 received a red dot award. All the prizewinning exhibits will be on show at a special exhibition entitled "Design on stage - winners red dot award: communication design 2011" at the Alte Munze in Berlin from 7 to 16 October 2011.
"We are proud to have won one of the most coveted design awards. The iPad app is an ideal platform for the artistic qualities and unique appeal of WATCH International and makes it available to a much wider readership," says Karoline Huber, IWC's Director of Marketing & Communications.

The attractively presented digital version of the magazine also offers additional visual material and audio files, and gives users a unique insight into the world of IWC. The WATCH International app for the iPad can be downloaded free of charge from the iTunes App Store.
The red dot design award is the largest competition of its kind in the world. Since 1954, the Design Centre of North Rhine-Westphalia, known then simply as Industrieform e.V., has presented awards for outstanding design. Over the years, the much-coveted red dot award has established itself as an internationally recognized seal of quality and is now presented for various categories. The awards will be bestowed upon all prizewinners at a gala-style ceremony to be held on 7 October 2011 at the Berlin Concert Hall. The winning entries will then be exhibited at the red dot design museum, which also houses the world's largest collection of contemporary designs.
IWC Schaffhausen's lavishly produced customer magazine, WATCH International, has functioned as the company's worldwide ambassador since 1991. It is published four times annually in English, German and, most recently, in Chinese. Packed with articles, reports and background stories about IWC, it gives well-known personalities a chance to air their views and addresses the topic of "time" in its many different facets. In view of the enormous interest and worldwide demand, the magazine underwent a successful relaunch in 2010. This was justified with WATCH International achieving an outstanding result in this year's Best of Corporate Publishing (BCP) competition. The jury of Europe's biggest CP competition were equally impressed by the magazine and put it on the shortlist in its category.
With over 600 publications submitted for evaluation to this year's competition, this is some indication of the exclusive nature of WATCH International: a magazine designed to be collected.

The Volvo Ocean Race is quite simply the "Everest" of sailing. The race is the ultimate mix of world class sporting competition, on-the-edge adventure and technology. It is a unique blend of onshore glamour, offshore drama and endurance and is, undeniably, the world's premier ocean race and one of the most demanding team sporting events in the world. The Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12 will start in the Spanish port of Alicante in October 2011 and finish in Galway, Ireland, in July 2012. During the nine months of the race, the teams will sail 39,270 nautical miles of the globe's most treacherous seas.
"It's my pleasure to welcome IWC Schaffhausen as the Official Timekeeper of the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12," said Knut Frostad, CEO Volvo Ocean Race. "IWC Schaffhausen will also sponsor the prestigious 24-hour record competition in the race. With its pioneering and innovative attitude, the celebrated watch brand IWC Schaffhausen is a perfect match for the Volvo Ocean Race."

The partnership between IWC Schaffhausen and Volvo Ocean Race will provide another opportunity for the Swiss watch manufacturer to demonstrate its expertise in terms of engineering, technology and quality. Only a company able to set such high standards of precision, perfection and durability would have a chance of prevailing in arguably the toughest offshore race of them all. "IWC Schaffhausen and the Volvo Ocean Race share the same spirit: unique brands, known for inventiveness, technical excellence, outstanding craftsmanship, masculinity and adventure.
The partnership evolved naturally, and IWC is very proud to participate in this global sports event. We are looking forward to an exciting and successful Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12," said Georges Kern, CEO IWC Schaffhausen, of his company's commitment.
IWC Schaffhausen will present the 24-hour record prize per race leg, which will be awarded during the prize-giving ceremony at each host port. They will also award a special prize for the fastest team over 24 hours in the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-12. This prize will be presented at the end of the race in Galway, July 2012.
In the past two editions of the race, Volvo Open 70s have broken the world 24-hour monohull record. Ericsson 4, the overall winner of the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09, sailed an impressive 596.6 nautical miles in one day. There is every chance that this achievement will be surpassed in the forthcoming race and every Volvo Ocean Race team will be striving to reach this goal. A prospect that is naturally very exciting for IWC.

Volvo Ocean Race
The next Volvo Ocean Race will start in the Spanish port of Alicante in the autumn of 2011 and finish in Galway, Ireland, during the summer of 2012, and will be the 11th in series. The course will include stopovers in Cape Town (South Africa), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Sanya (China), Auckland (New Zealand), Itajai (Brazil), Miami (USA), Lisbon (Portugal) and Lorient (France). The first 31,250-nautical-mile race took place over 37 years ago (as the Whitbread Round the World Race 1973-74), testing the crews against some of the most ferocious elements that man can encounter. The design of the boat is regulated and the boat is built for speed.
For more information on the Volvo Ocean Race please visit www.volvooceanrace.com

6 November 2009

Since the dawn of time, life has existed and evolved to such an extent that today we have the most wonderful array of unique animals, birds and plant life all around the globe. But perhaps none as abundant and extraordinary as the life found in the ecosystem of the archipelago that is the Galapagos. A place unlike any other in the world, this volcanic system of life -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -was the destination of a recent trip for a very small group of American and South American journalists intent on gaining better insight into the partnership between IWC and the Charles Darwin Foundation.
Environmental treasure
It was in January of 2009 that IWC first announced its support of the Charles Darwin Foundation and its efforts to preserve the environmentally rich and vital Galapagos Islands. Due to invasive pests, animals and other non-indigenous species, the Galapagos and its unique wildlife are threatened. In what may be one of the most important moves of our time by a watch brand, IWC pledges to support the non-profit organization in its objective to conserve and protect the archipelago, and to help CDF continue conducting scientific research there, through a considerable financial contribution.
IWC, long a proponent of green causes, is committed to the belief that the ocean and earth belongs to all of us. As such, the brand has built a special Galapagos Islands timepiece in its renowned Aquatimer family, from which a portion of the proceeds of sales will benefit the cause. The Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galapagos Island watch - $6,500 - houses an automatic mechanism - 79320 caliber - and is a 44mm dive watch with chronograph functions. It is crafted in matt black stainless steel completely covered with black vulcanized rubber, a black dial and a black rubber strap. Water resistant to 12 bar, watch's caseback features an intricate relief engraving of the world-renown giant tortoise known for the islands.

Diving experience
Journalists on the trip through the Galapagos temporarily donned Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galapagos Islands edition and other Aquatimer watches for snorkeling and diving experiences, where we encountered a wealth of fish, sea turtles and sea lions. Throughout the land tours, guided by representatives of the Charles Darwin Foundation, we were constantly exposed the pervasive plant beauty and native animals that define the island systems, and possibly life's evolution.
It was amazing to learn that Charles Darwin only spent five weeks here in 1835 conducting research and collecting flora and fauna samples. Yet he was so profoundly affected by what he saw that it laid the groundwork for his revolutionary scientific theory of evolution that eventually established the basis for modern biology. Our small group spent but a few days exploring Santa Cruz Island, the Charles Darwin Foundation and Floreana Island, a 120-person-inhabited isle where major restoration plans are almost underway.

Restoration effort
"Project Floreana is very important to us, it is a five-year restoration effort that will establish the baselines to help us eradicate harmful invasive species, and to reintroduced bird species like the mockingbird and tortoises to the island that have been missing after years and years of absence," says Mark Gardener, Director of Terrestrial Science, Foundation Charles Darwin.

"The projects here are important on a global scope, and the CDF needs to raise awareness of their efforts to control invasive species, to secure the wildlife and preserve Galapagos," says Benoit De Clerck, president of IWC North America. "This is a project we are passionate about, like we are passionate about our other environmental involvements, and about our watches."

This summer, Adventure Ecology founder and environmental storyteller David de Rothschild, along with a handpicked crew of leading scientists, sailors, adventurers, thought leaders and creatives, will sail approximately 10,000 nautical miles across the Pacific Ocean from San Francisco to Sydney in a distinctive, oneof- a kind 60 foot catamaran made entirely of plastic bottles, srPET plastic and recycled waste products. With support from official partner IWC Schaffhausen, the Plastiki will embark on a mission across the Pacific Ocean in order to draw mainstream attention to rethinking waste as a resource.  
Through this intrepid and daring expedition, David de Rothschild and his organisation Adventure Ecology aim to bring the public's attention to regions of the Earth whose ecologies are in particular danger, raise global awareness of the environment as well as inspire a change in the consciousness of individuals and industry. Towards this goal, Adventure Ecology's mission is to harness the power of dreams, adventures and stories to captivate the imagination and raise global awareness. Through these audacious and bold adventures, Adventure Ecology aims to activate individuals, communities and industries towards a smarter, more sustainable planet 2.0 way of living. "Saving our planet is going to be one of the century's greatest and most challenging adventures," comments de Rothschild.

The boat is named "Plastiki", taking inspiration from Thor Heyerdahl's "Kon-Tiki" expedition of 1947. The Plastiki Expedition is a unique and extraordinary voyage that will see David de Rothschild and a specially selected crew of experts sail across the Pacific Ocean and, in the process, pass through a number of regions that are facing extreme ecological threats. En route to Hawaii, the Line Islands and the sinking island of Tuvalu, the vessel will steer through the world's largest rubbish dump in the oceans, commonly known as The Great Eastern Pacific Garbage Patch. The general public has access to this environmental adventure over www.theplastiki.com where anyone can become a virtual member of the crew. With his expedition, David de Rothschild and Adventure Ecology aim to raise awareness of the marks that we humans leave behind every day on the natural world and to develop a growing global consciousness about the challenges that confront our planet, its oceans and its inhabitants.
Developed and fabricated in cooperation with world-leading institutions, engineers, designers, marine architects and sustainability experts, the 60-foot Plastiki catamaran exemplifies groundbreaking thinking, techniques and sustainable design solutions in every respect. Constructed almost entirely out of reclaimed plastic bottles, the Plastiki embodies David de Rothschild's vision of a craft that not only withstands the swells of the Pacific Ocean but is also in the position to itself "make waves" with its sustainable design. This absolutely unique, unmistakeable and symbolic design enables Adventure Ecology and its crew to not only undertake a historic expedition, but it will also allow them to deliver a spectacular "message in a bottle" around the world.

De Rothschild explains it in this way: "Adventure Ecology's Plastiki expedition has a distinct point of difference over other sailing adventures in that it clearly demonstrates that anything is possible as soon as you think outside the box, concentrate on sustainability and define boundaries in a new way. By combining adventure, innovation and enterprise, enhanced with smart thinking and a continual focus on every possible solution, people, companies and industry will be prompted to solve waste-related problems and to rethink the consequences which our lifestyle has on nature."
IWC Schaffhausen, the official partner of the Plastiki expedition, has dedicated an equally stylish and robust watch to the mission of this extraordinary and innovative vessel: the Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth Edition "Adventure Ecology". Says Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, "David de Rothschild and his organisation Adventure Ecology deserve great respect and support for their inspirational ideas. We are delighted to be on board of their breathtaking expeditions to the most threatened ecosystems of our planet and to make a contribution towards increasing public awareness of the consequences of human behaviour on nature."

An alliance for the environment
Environmental protection and ecological responsibility are integral parts of IWC's corporate policy. And this explains why the company supports Plastiki's awareness campaign and the quest for innovative solutions. IWC first gave its support to Adventure Ecology in 2007 on the organisation's field mission to Ecuador as part of its ARTiculate™ series. It was by showcasing alternative perspectives through an artistic context that Adventure Ecology helped raise media attention to the social and ecological effects of toxic waste as a result of oil drilling in the Amazonian rainforest. "Every business bears economic, social and ecological responsibilities", says Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen. "For many years, IWC has already been actively involved in improving its environmental balance sheet." Since 2001 the long-established company has achieved a 50 percent reduction in its CO2 emissions at its headquarters in Schaffhausen, and it also promotes ecological behaviour among its employees, including in their private lives, through financial incentives. In addition, IWC supports further projects which draw attention to climate change.
David de Rothschild explains, "The partnership with IWC Schaffhausen is of great significance to Adventure Ecology. In the battle to combat climate change, industry is reliant upon intelligent solutions. IWC Schaffhausen doesn't just talk about protecting the climate, but thanks to efforts towards improving its environmental track record, the company has been certified a CO2-neutral enterprise. This ongoing commitment is to be commended, and Adventure Ecology is proud to have won over IWC as a longterm official partner for its Plastiki expedition."

A timepiece with a mission
To commemorate Adventure Ecology's latest adventure, IWC is launching a special limited "Adventure Ecology" edition of its Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth. Even the solid, durable construction of the new Ingenieur, manufactured carbon neutrally in Schaffhausen, symbolises sustainability.

Housed in a newly developed, robust stainless steel case is an automatic movement which fulfils the highest quality criteria: the IWC-manufactured 80110 calibre movement with a Pellaton winding mechanism and an integrated shockabsorption system. A soft iron inner case protects the movement against extreme magnetic fields up to 80,000 A/m. The screw-down back, the sapphire glass with an antireflective coating on both sides and the new side guard for the screw-in crown together make this watch, which is water-resistant to 12 bar, so tough that it can stand up to every external influence, even when on the wrist of an adventurer on an expedition. With a diameter of 46 millimetres, the concave shape of the case and a newly developed ergonomic and comfortable bracelet system, the Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth Edition "Adventure Ecology" is a dependable companion worthy of any expedition, even when things get very rough. As a companion for David de Rothschild and his crew during the four-month Plastiki expedition across the Pacific Ocean, the Ingenieur Automatic Mission Earth Edition "Adventure Ecology" embodies the message of the Plastiki: its blue dial and orange indices exclusively represent the Plastiki expedition, which is also signified by the intricate back engraving with the Adventure Ecology expedition logo. In this way, this special edition becomes an ambassador for a better world.