IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Single Piece With A Special Engraving (Ref. IW500923)
This Sunday, whilst attending the 91st Academy Awards ceremony, American Actor and Director Bradley Cooper will wear a unique IWC Big Pilot’s Watch with a special engraving. The watch on the wrist of the IWC brand ambassador will be offered by Sotheby’s in an exclusive online auction, open for bidding from today until 4 March. A personal letter from Bradley Cooper to the new owner will accompany the watch. IWC will donate its full proceeds to the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation. These proceeds will be used by the foundation to support Arrimage, a charitable organization that focuses on teaching visually impaired children how to read drawings using their sense of touch.
A triple Oscar-nominee in 2019, Bradley Cooper co-wrote, directed, produced and starred in A Star is Born. The film has received eight Oscar nominations: “Best Actor in a Leading Role” for Bradley Cooper, “Best Actress in a Leading Role”, “Best Picture”, “Best Adapted Screenplay”, “Best Actor in a Supporting Role”, “Best Original Song,” “Best Cinematography” and “Best Sound Mixing.” The American actor previously earned Oscar nominations for his critically acclaimed performances in Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle and American Sniper. Bradley Cooper became a brand ambassador for IWC in 2018. Among other projects, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer has produced a worldwide advertising campaign with the renowned actor.
Christoph Grainger-Herr, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, commented: “The support of disabled children and adolescents is one of the cornerstones of our CSR effort. I am pleased that, together with our brand ambassador Bradley Cooper, and the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation, we have the opportunity to support the association Arrimage.”
Speaking ahead of the auction, Mikael Wallhagen, Head of the Watch Division for Sotheby’s in Geneva, said: “IWC Schaffhausen’s master watch-makers have produced a complex and beautifully crafted symbol of Antoine de Saint- Exupéry’s pioneering spirit. After witnessing dreams come true on the stage of the Oscars this Sunday, it will be a privilege for us to offer this one-of-a-kind watch in our upcoming sale and to support the important work of the foundation, helping future generations to aim high and pursue their own dreams.”
A Big Pilot’s Watch Single Piece With A Special Engraving
The IWC watch Bradley Cooper will be wearing at The Oscars is a Big Pilot’s Watch single piece with a special engraving (Ref. IW500923). The timepiece features a midnight blue dial and is housed in a case made of 18- carat 5N gold. It is powered by the IWC-manufactured 51111-calibre movement. Within no time at all, the spring- mounted rotor and Pellaton pawl-winding system build up a power reserve of seven days. On the case back, there is an engraving of an iconic quote from Antoine de Saint- Exupéry‘s The Little Prince: “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly“.
IWC’s Proceeds Donated To The Antoine De Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation
Bidding for the watch will open at $16,000. IWC will donate its proceeds from the auction to the Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Youth Foundation, helping it to support the association Arrimage in Nice, France. The association was established by Dr. Claude Garrandes, a blind French artist and teacher. One of its main projects focuses on teaching visually-impaired children how to read drawings in two-dimensional relief through the sense of touch. For this project, the foundation created the first-ever tactile art book of embossed illustrations of The Little Prince that it created. Thanks to teaching tools created by Arrimage, blind children are also given the opportunity to learn how to draw themselves.
IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Single Piece With A Special Engraving (Ref. IW500923)
Technical specifications:
Reference: IW500923
Dial: blue
Movement: cal. 51111, automatic
Case: 18k 5N gold, screw-down back
Case number: 6’177’770
Closure: 18k 5N gold IWC folding clasp
Dimensions: diameter 46.2 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Power reserve: 168 hours (7 days)
Water-resistance: 6 bar (~60 metres)
Accessories: IWC guarantee, booklets and presentation case as well as a personal letter from Bradley Cooper to the new owner will accompany the watch.
Bidding for the watch will open at $16,000.
