IWC Schaffhausen and Laureus partner up once again for a meaningful project

HELPING the global community has always been a strong commitment for both IWC Schaffhausen and Laureus. With shared common values and a strong social influence, IWC Schaffhausen and Laureus have continued to promote and aid people across the world with their various projects. At the recent Laureus World Sport Awards on April 15 in Shanghai, IWC Schaffhausen presented a limited special edition watch to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

Since 2005, IWC Schaffhausen and Laureus have partnered to address social challenges through a series of well-meaning initiatives that have garnered support on a global level.  For this year, part of the proceeds of each Ingenieur Automatic Edition timepiece will go to benefit children affected by crisis-hit areas around the world. The release marks the ninth special edition timepiece in support of the Laureus foundation. Chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy Edwin Moses highlights, “Since 2000, Laureus has collected over €60 million (RM241 million). This money has enabled us to support 150 local projects in 35 countries and has pushed the lives of one-and-a-half million young people in a more positive direction.”

With the tagline “Engineered by IWC — designed by children” it is easy to see why both parties have placed high importance in making this project a success. The Ingenieur Automatic Edition watch has a unique engraving on the back of the watch featuring the winning entry of the 2014 drawing competition organised by IWC. Entitled “Time to celebrate”, IWC’s drawing competition encouraged children and young people across the world to submit entries based on the theme. Nakayenga Zahara’s entry hailing from Nakulabye in Uganda was selected by the jury as the winner of the competition. Her winning entry is a happy scene of three cheerleaders their arms raised with pom-poms in the air marking a goal being scored. The sporty timepiece is extremely functional for daily life with its elegant and timeless design making it perfect for someone who leads a busy lifestyle.

Nakayenga Zahara’s entry is a particularly meaningful one for IWC as her hometown which is close to the Ugandan capital of Kampala has benefited greatly from the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. With HIV/AIDS prevalent and poor sanitary facilities in the area, the community-based AIDS programme has set up healthcare and rehabilitation to help people affected. Funded by the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the community now have access to sporting disciplines such as boxing, athletics and table tennis. The outcome of the project has been encouraging for many with sport making people aware of issues and the rate of HIV infection as well as drug abuse declining among young people.

Ambassador of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and Olympic gold medal winner gymnast Li Xiaopeng comments, “The foundation has an enormous influence on the lives of many disadvantaged children. Children exposed to dire circumstances, whether in the middle of a big city or war torn region, need something to hold on to. Laureus projects give them a cause for optimism and encourage team spirit, regardless of the colour of their skin, religion or ethnic background.”

With its unique engraving, there is no doubt that the Ingenieur Automatic Edition is a winner in social influence.

This article first appeared in The Edge Financial Daily, on May 5, 2015.