An event designed to bring people from all corners of the industry together also raised money for a charitable cause. This fun evening represented a real first within an industry known for its firsts.
WORLDTEMPUS - 24 June 2011
Elizabeth Doerr
Watchmakers are an intense breed: fun isn't always a word used to describe their days' toils. Suryia Hill and Sophie Furley had the idea to incorporate it into an event that was not a run-of-the mill occasion.
More than 200 guests coming from every corner of the industry gathered last night in Gland's Dinemec studios to celebrate life and the joy of each other's company. Hill, founder and owner of horology-specialized Sparkle PR Solutions, and Furley, newly appointed editor-in-chief of Revolution Switzerland, put together a wildly detailed and convivial event, the proceeds of which are donated to the new Swiss foundation Vaccines For Life – whose declared goal is to fight diseases such as malaria and AIDS.
The guests, which included CEOs, watchmakers, R&D specialists, movement designers, artisans, independent watchmakers, PR specialists, journalists, and marketing personnel, not only wined and dined, but also bid on an unusual auction headed up by Sotheby's Geoffrey Ader. The lots, which raised in excess of 15,000 Swiss francs, included – but were not limited to – first-row seats at an haute couture fashion show in Paris together with a night in the luxurious Hotel de Crillon, a day of skiing with Olympic champion Didier Defago, and a Ferrari racing day. Five quality tombola prizes also raised another stately sum.
By the close of the evening, Hill and Furley had declared the event a success and now hope to repeat it next year. Representatives from companies such as Corum, DeLaneau, Panerai, Roland Iten, Greubel Forsey, Hanhart, Ferrari, Roger Dubuis, Audemars Piguet, Hautlence, Zenith, Ebel, and Graff were in numerous attendance as were independents Maximilian Büsser of MB&F and Ludovic Ballouard. Ladoire was almost completely accounted for and these “watchmakers-turned-rock-stars” even provided live musical entertainment along with Chronopassion owner Laurent Picciotto on lead guitar as a warm-up to cover band Patchwork. Obviously, the industry wholeheartedly supported this initiative. Who said watchmakers don't know how to have fun?!
