Swiss manufacture IWC and nine-time Moto Gp world champion Valentino Rossi collaborated for an auction held at the “Laureus Charity Night” last Nov. 5, 2022.
“The Doctor,” as he is known to all his fans, and the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer, donated Rossi’s personal IWC Big Pilot’s Watch in Ceratanium for the auction.
In addition to the pilot’s watch, the Laureus Charity Night auctioned off one of the most complex watches ever made by IWC Schaffhausen: the Portugieser Tourbillon Hand-Wound.
IWC and Valentino Rossi
After a long 26-year career on two wheels in which he made several generations dream and get excited, Valentino Rossi has begun a new chapter in his life dedicated to motorsport by starting to compete on four wheels in the GT World Challenge Europe.
In honor of his winning as many as nine Moto World Championships on two wheels, after claiming 235 podiums and 115 race victories, during the Laureus World Sports Awards 2022 in Seville, “the Doctor” received the Laureus Sporting Icon Award.
The Italian athlete, who has been associated with IWC since last 2021, officially joined the IWC family as a brand ambassador at the Laureus Charity Night held on Nov. 5, 2022 in Zurich organized by the Laureus Foundation Switzerland.
Founded in 2006 by IWC Schaffhausen and Mercedes-Benz as part of the international Laureus Sport for Good foundation, this entity was created to empower children and youth to live positive lives and self-determination through sport, regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, social class or health issues.
On the occasion of Laureus Charity Night, the multiple Moto Gp world champion donated his personal Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Top Gun Ceratanium which was auctioned off during the same event.
Si tratta di un orologio con calendario perpetuo che “il Dottore” ha indossato durante molte delle sue tappe fondamentali.
Characterized by its lightness and strength on par with titanium and, in addition, by its hardness and scratch resistance as much as ceramic, this incredible IWC in Ceratanium was the perfect watch for the pilot by the number 46, a number that is also shared by the case diameter expressed in millimeters.
Regarding this fantastic watch, Valentino Rossi stated:
“This IWC watch has great personal value for me. I wore it for the first time in Valencia, Spain, during my last MotoGP race. Since then, this unique watch has accompanied me in all the sporting activities I have experienced in this year of change, and also in my everyday life. Whoever takes it home will have an object that has experienced a great number of important and meaningful moments with me.”
In addition to the exclusive watch, the lucky buyer was invited by the “Doctor” to attend the “100 km of Champions,” a motorcycle race held annually at his legendary VR46 Motor Ranch in Tavullia, Italy.
The additional Laureus Charity Night auction
In addition to Valentino’s IWC, one of the most complex watches ever made by IWC Schaffhausen was auctioned: the Portugieser Tourbillon Hand-Wound.
This is the reference IW546305, a true masterpiece of Haute Horlogerie that was donated to the auction by a collector and longtime friend of the Laureus Foundation.
Featuring a 43.2-millimeter case in solid 18-karat 5N gold, the blue dial shows the flying tourbillon at 9 o’clock.
The Laureus Charity Night was a unique opportunity that granted one lucky buyer the chance to purchase one of the most prestigious watches ever produced by IWC.
More infos on Laureus Charity Night
All proceeds from the two auctions dedicated to IWCs were donated to the Laureus Foundation Switzerland to support its various programs for children and youth.
The event also raised charitable contributions for the further promotion of social sports programs under the theme “The Future is Now.”
To learn more about IWC visit their official website and our dedicated section.
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