A Tribute To The Legend And To Charity
A unique timepiece from Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen went under the hammer last Saturday at Celebrity Fight Night.
- (1888PressRelease) April 02, 2012 - The Big Pilot's Watch Edition Muhammad Ali - ONE OUT OF ONE
A unique timepiece from Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen went under the hammer last Saturday at Celebrity Fight Night. Having long been supported by The GreatestTM*, Muhammad Ali, the star-studded gala event was established to raise funds for the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center. This was the 18th time that the former heavyweight champion had invited his friends from show business to come along and demonstrate their support for his charity. The live auction for IWC's Big Pilot's Watch Edition Muhammad Ali in white gold attracted an impressive winning bid of USD 60,000.
"The man is an icon: simply one of the world's greatest sporting personalities of our time," said IWC CEO Georges Kern. "That was the reason we decided to mark Muhammad Ali's 70th birthday in January with a special watch in white gold in honor of the man who was once voted Sportsman of the Century." As a fitting tribute to this exceptional sportsman, IWC Schaffhausen selected a legendary watch from its own illustrious history: the Big Pilot's Watch. IWC has been making professional Pilot's Watches for more than 70 years, and one of the most successful models in their portfolio is the larger than- life Pilot's Watch, which has been boosting the adrenalin levels of watch lovers and aviation buffs since it was first unveiled in 1940. A unique version of this amazing timepiece in white gold was auctioned off at the annual Celebrity Fight Night in Phoenix, Arizona, with the proceeds going entirely to the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky. The Center's mission is to preserve and communicate the legacy and ideals of Muhammad Ali, to promote respect, hope, and understanding, and to inspire adults and children everywhere to be as great as they can be. IWC donated this watch alongside another tribute in the form of a monumental tome: "GOAT - Greatest of All Time." Weighing 75 pounds and measuring 20320 inches, with over 3,000 illustrations by more than 150 photographers and artists, the book is a celebration of Ali's life and a literary event in its own right. The auction package found its new owner for the enormous bid of USD 60,000. Lonnie Ali expressed her appreciation: "IWC created more than a beautiful watch - they honored my husband, his dedication to charity, and at the same time helped support the Muhammad Ali Center."
Celebrity Fight Night Meets IWC's Social Commitment
This was the 18th occasion on which the former heavyweight champion had invited guests to Celebrity Fight Night. Well-known faces like soul legend Lionel Richie, actor and comedian Billy Crystal, five-time heavyweight world champion Evander Holyfield, and many other famous faces from the world of showbiz supported the gala. Many of them made a personal gesture of support for the good cause. Oscar winner and Hollywood actress Halle Berry, for instance, and tenor Andrea Bocelli offered a dinner in their company to the winning bidder.
A Tribute to the Legend
The Big Pilot's Watch Edition Muhammad Ali is a fitting tribute to the great man's achievements in sports and in society as a whole. The dial design of the Edition Muhammad Ali is modeled unmistakably on the historic Big Pilot's Watch of 1940. The clearly organized matte-black dial, the arrowhead index at "12 o'clock", and the bold, luminescent numerals and hands guarantee minute-perfect legibility of the time regardless of lighting conditions.
Big Pilot's Watch Edition Muhammad Ali
Ref. IW500435
Limitation ONE OUT OF ONE
Features Mechanical movement, Pellaton automatic winding, date display, power reserve display, central hacking seconds, Glucydur® beryllium alloy balance, Breguet spring, screw-in crown, glass secured against displacement by drop in air pressure
Movement
Caliber 51111
Frequency 21,600 A/ h / 3 Hz
Jewels 42
Power reserve 7 days (168 h)
Winding automatic
Watch
Materials 18-carat white gold case, matte-black dial, hands and appliqués highlighted with signal-red Super-LumiNova®, black alligator leather strap with red inner lining, folding clasp in white gold
Glass sapphire, convex, antireflective coating on both sides
Back white gold, special back engraving including signature of Muhammad Ali
Water-resistant 6 bar
Diameter 46 mm
Case height 16 mm
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
BIZ COM - 'For PRoactive Communications'
T: +971 4 332-0888
F: +971 4 332-0999
E: info ( @ ) bizcom dot ae
W: www.bizcom.ae
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