Schaffhausen, 24th April 2022 – On the occasion of the 2022 Laureus World Sports Awards in Seville, Spain, IWC Schaffhausen unveils the Portofino Chronograph 39 Edition “Laureus Sport for Good” to highlight its support for the work Laureus Sport for Good undertakes around the world. The special edition is limited to 1000 pieces and features a dial in the typical Laureus blue. The engraving on the case back displays the winning entry from the drawing competition that IWC organises every year within all Laureus programmes.
The Portofino Chronograph 39 Edition “Laureus Sport for Good” is the 16th special edition that IWC has launched in collaboration with the Laureus Sport for Good foundation. Laureus Sport for Good operates in more than 50 countries and supports over 250 programmes around the world. The programmes employ sport to transform the lives of children and young people. They aim to promote social change, and put an end to violence and discrimination.
Limited to 1000 pieces, this timepiece features a stainless steel case in an easily wearable diameter of 39 millimetres. The dial in the typical Laureus blue contrasts with the rhodium-plated hands and appliques. The chronograph is fitted on a black calfskin strap.
An engraving of the winning entry from the drawing competition that IWC organises each year within all Laureus programmes appears on the case back. The drawing depicts hands united together as equals, and was created by 15-year-old Jatin Malhan.
Jatin is goalkeeper for the Youth Football Club Rurka Kalan in the Jalandhar district of Punjab, India. The programme he took part in empowers and inspires young people to drive change in their communities, promoting tolerance, community spirit and gender equality through sport and education.
The Laureus World Sports Awards is the premier global sports awards honouring the greatest sportsmen, sportswomen and teams across all sports each year. The Nominees are selected by a panel of over 1300 representatives from the world of global sports media.
Award winners are voted for by the ultimate sporting jury, Laureus World Sports Academy, a collective of 71 of the greatest living sporting legends who volunteer their time to support the organisation.
LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD
Laureus Sport for Good was inspired by the words of its Founding Patron, Nelson Mandela, who said at the first ever Laureus Awards in 2000, “Sport has the power to change the world.” Laureus Sport for Good uses the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage. Since 2000, Laureus has reached and helped change the lives of more than six million children and young people. Laureus Sport for Good currently supports more than 250 programmes in over 50 countries that use the power of sport to transform lives.
The work of Laureus Sport for Good aims to address six key social issues identified by the UN that are affecting young people across the world:
- Health: Enhancing mental wellbeing and encouraging healthy behaviour change
- Education: I ncreased access to and completion of education
- Women and Girls: Promoting equality, empowerment and safety
- Employability: Developing skills and creating pathways to employment
- Inclusive Society: Creating communities which embrace ethnic, cultural and physical differences
- Peaceful Society: Resolving conflict, promoting community peace-building and creating safe spaces
In 1868, the American watchmaker and entrepreneur Florentine Ariosto Jones travelled from Boston to Switzerland and founded the ‘International Watch Company’ in Schaffhausen. His visionary dream was to combine advanced American manufacturing methods with the craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers to make the best pocket watches of his time. In doing so, he not only laid the foundation for IWC’s unique engineering approach but also established the centralised production of mechanical watches in Switzerland.
Over its 150 year history, IWC Schaffhausen has developed a reputation for creating functional complications, especially chronographs and calendars, which are ingenious, robust, and easy for customers to use. A pioneer in the use of titanium and ceramics, IWC today specialises in highly engineered technical watch cases manufactured from advanced materials, such as titanium aluminide and Ceratanium®. Preferring the principle of “form follows function” over decoration, the Swiss watch manufacturer’s timeless creations embody their owners’ dreams and ambitions as they journey through life.
IWC sources materials responsibly and takes action to minimise its impact on the environment, creating intrinsically sustainable timepieces that are built to last for generations. The company prides itself in training its own future watchmakers and engineers, as well as offering an excellent working environment for all employees. IWC also partners with organisations that work globally to support children and young people.
