Hong Kong/Schaffhausen, 29 September 2014 – On the opening day of the WATCHES&WONDERS exhibition in Hong Kong, Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen hosted an exclusive gala dinnerto mark the launch of the new Portofino Midsize watch collection. Among the 250 distinguished guests, IWC was also pleased to welcome its well-known brand ambassadors Cate Blanchett, Zhou Xun, Karolina Kurkova and star photographer Peter Lindbergh, who had all travelled there personally to be present at the opening of the “Timeless Portofino” exhibition in w hich they play the lead roles.
The WATCHES&WONDERS haute horlogerie exhibition provided a fitting backdrop to the unveiling of the Portofino Midsize collection from IWC Schaffhausen. With these slightly smaller, elegant, diamond-set timepieces, IWC has added some dazzling highlights to its enormously popular Portofino watch family which fit perfectly with the timeless flair of the eponymous Italian coastal town. “We are delighted to have yet another opportunity to demonstrate our watchmaking expertise and, with the presentation of our new Portofino Midsize collection, we are underscoring the importance of the Asian market for our brand,” said IWC
CEO Georges Kern.
PORTOFINO MEETS HONG KONG
With the gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Hong Kong, IWC Schaffhausen emphasized the esteem in which the WATCHES&WONDERS exhibition is held. Around 250 celebrity guests, among them actors Francis Ng and Anita Yuen, enjoyed a fabulous evening. IWC CEO GeorgesKern was delighted to welcome some of his best-known brand ambassadors, namely actresses Cate Blanchett and Zhou Xun, together with top model Karolina Kurkova, all of whom played leading roles in the Portofino photo shoot last spring, which was organized by IWC Schaffhausen. To mark the world premiere of the new Portofino Midsize watch collection, star photographer Peter Lindbergh – who was also in Hong Kong – had created another awe-inspiring series of photographs, his second for IWC within 4 years.
“It makes me incredibly proud that we are able to show off our latest watch collection in this unique and delightful setting,”said Georges Kern in his address. “With this seriesof photographs, unmistakably in his personal style, my friend Peter Lindbergh has captured the watches brilliantly.It was a privilege to realize this unique project with some of the most outstanding talents from the worlds of film and fashion.”
EXCLUSIVE SHOOT FOR IWC
In May of this year, IWC Schaffhausen assembled a number of well-known stars in the picturesque setting of the Italian harbour town of Portofino. Hollywood stars such as Cate Blanchett, Emily Blunt, Christoph Waltz and EwanMcGregor were joined by Chinese superstar Zhou Xun and supermodels Adriana Lima and Karolina Kurkova to pose for acclaimed fashion photographer Peter Lindbergh. They are pictured strolling down by the harbour, taking a boat trip with the wind blowing through their hair, or engrossed in conversation in a stunning monastery garden. After its first stops in Zurich and Hong Kong, the collection of fabulous
images assembled for the “Timeless Portofino” exhibition will continue its journey around the world and appear at IWC events in London, Miami and Dubai.
During the IWC gala evening, Peter Lindbergh, Cate Blanchett, Zhou Xun and Karolina Kurkova reminisced about the shoot and spoke about their work and their partnerships with IWC Schaffhausen. “IWC really knows how to combine breathtaking aesthetics, technological expertise and the art of savoir-vivre,” enthused Zhou Xun.
Peter Lindbergh told guests how he selects the best photographs from thousands of shots, while Karolina Kurkova revealed her favourite models from the new Portofino Midsizecollection and Cate Blanchett spoke about her various projects with IWC. Later in the evening, DJ Jack E provided the music for the after-show party, to which a further 300 people had been invited, and guests partied into the early hours of the morning.
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.
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