This year’s booth clearly differed from earlier concepts as well as any other stands at the SIHH. The main attention-grabber was a gigantic 3-D watch case from the latest Portugieser generation. Projections of various movements, dial colours and case colours gave the model an endless series of new faces, while a direct connection to the Internet enabled it to display the current time.

IWC Schaffhausen celebrated with about eight hundred invited celebrities from around the world, the 75th birthday of its legendary family of Portugieser watches. A gala evening attended, among others, guests and brand ambassadors like movie stars Emily Blunt, Christoph Waltz, Zhou Xun and Moritz Bleibtreu, film director and screenwriter Marc Forster, outstanding athletes like Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Luís Figo, supermodels Adriana Lima and Karolina Kurkova and musicians Aloe Blacc, Ronan Keating and Mick Hucknall.

The post IWC update from SIHH 2015 appeared first on Core Sector Communique.

New York/Schaffhausen, April 18, 2014 – At the Tribeca Film Festival® in New York, IWC Schaffhausen demonstrated its commitment to supporting young, talented filmmakers for the second year in succession.

As part of the event, the luxury watch manufacturer hosted an exclusive dinner under the motto “For the Love of Cinema.” The Swiss company declared its passion for the world of filmmaking with the IWC Filmmaker Award, which was presented to the winner to the resounding applause of around 100 notable guests. A private concert by Grammy Award-winning singer Estelle was the crowning glory to a fabulous evening.

In the stylish surroundings of the Urban Zen loft overlooking Greenwich Village, IWC Schaffhausen held its private “For the Love of Cinema” dinner, with a star-studded guest list. Honoring the luxury watchmaker with their presence were Robert De Niro, co-founder of the Tribeca Film Festival, actors Patrick Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Susan Sarandon,Heather Graham, Dev Patel, James Marsden, and Armie Hammer, NBA player Carmelo Anthony, as well as model Karolina Kurkova. The first highlight of the exclusive eveningwas the presentation of the IWC Filmmaker Award, which went to Jay Dockendorf. His film project, “Naz + Maalik,” left a profound impression on jury members Beth Janson, Executive Director of Tribeca Film Institute, Paula Weinstein,Executive Vice President of the Tribeca Film Festival, Jeff Malmberg, last year’s award winner, and Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen. “Naz + Maalik” tells the story of two Muslim teens hustling the streets of Brooklyn on a hot summer day – when their secretive behavior unwittingly lands them into the crosshairs of the War on Terror. “Jay Dockendorf really understands how to address his audience’s intelligence, and his artistic interpretation of reality such as his professional way of telling stories are outstanding,” said Georges Kern, explaining the jury’s choice.

“His sensitive take on the realities of life left a lasting mark on us all, and we look forward to seeing more films with his signature.”

With the express aim of promoting up-and-coming filmmakers, the Swiss watch manufacturer founded its IWC Filmmaker Award several years ago. IWC presents the award as part of its commitment to the film festivals of Beijing, Zurich, London, and Dubai, and now for the second time in its role as Official ‘Festival-Time’ Partner of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City. Tribeca Film Institute, which supports emerging and established filmmakers with grants and professional development, invited talented emerging filmmakers to submit their scripts for the IWC Filmmaker Award. Those whose innovative artistic approach impressed the jury made it to the short list. Jeff Malmberg, who won last year’s IWC Filmmaker Award for his documentary “Teatro,” had this to say: “Winning the IWC Filmmaker Award has helped me continue essential work on my second film, which would not otherwise have been possible. One of the issues with filmmaking is the incredible amount of time it all takes. The IWC award gives filmmakersthe time they need to tell their stories the right way.”

A VALUABLE CONTRIBUTION TO THE FUTURE OF FILM

IWC CEO Georges Kern presented Jay Dockendorf with the USD 25,000 film sponsorship prize as well as a Pilot’s Watch Spitfire Chronograph Edition “Tribeca Film Festival  2014” (Ref. IW387810). IWC created this special timepiece in honor of its partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival.

The watch is limited to just 100 pieces and is exclusively available at IWC boutiques in the US. Apart from this, a unique example of the Pilot’s Watch Spitfire Chronograph Edition “Tribeca Film Festival 2014” in 18-carat red gold (Ref. IW387811) went under the hammer at the Antiquorum auction house. IWC Schaffhausen rounded up the USD 55,000 proceeds from the sale to a total of USD 100,000, which Georges Kern presented to Beth Janson, Executive Director of Tribeca Film Institute. “IWC’s generous support has now enabled us to provide two promising filmmakers with funding and invaluable professional development to   fully realize their projects,” said Janson. “We are grateful for the support of an organization that shares our commitment to advancing the work of media artists who act as catalysts of change in their communities and around the world.”

“Filmmakers tell us stories, make biographies come alive, and provide us with an insight into other worlds,” added IWC CEO Georges Kern. “Our aim is to encourage this source of inspiration by giving budding talents with exciting ideas the chance to realize their projects and make them accessible to a worldwide public. Technology and creativity play an important part in filmmaking, and are equally important components in the design and manufacture of watches. But only by striking a balance between innovation,technological perfection, and originality can we create masterpieces, whether it’s on the screen or in the fine watchmaking industry.”

After the presentation of the IWC Filmmaker Award came the second highlight of the evening: a private concert by British rapper and singer-songwriter Estelle, whose temperament radiated throughout an electrifying performance. The Grammy Award and World Music Award winner rose to fame on the strength of her hits “American Boy,” “1980,” and “Free.”

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN

With a clear focus on technology and development, the Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen has been producing timepieces of lasting value since 1868. The company has gained an international reputation based on a passion for innovative solutions and technical ingenuity. One of the world’s leading brands in the luxury watch segment, IWC crafts masterpieces of haute horlogerie at their finest, combining supreme precision with exclusive design. As an ecologically and socially responsible company, IWC is committed to sustainable production, supports institutions around the globe in their work with children and young people, and maintains partnerships with organizations dedicated to climate and environmental protection.

The post IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN TURNS THE SPOTLIGHT ON A NEW GENERATION OF FILMMAKERS appeared first on Core Sector Communique.