Ricardo Sime
In a world where the daily struggles of life may seem too much to bear, sports can routinely provide a much needed escape. This escape carries with it even more importance for youth, as it provides a safe space that can protect them from an environment where violence, discrimination and poverty pervades. With this in mind, the Laureus Sport For Good Foundation has driven its mission, through its support of programs in dozens of countries, to spread the power of sports. For years, IWC Schaffhausen's support has aided the foundation in the accomplishment of that mission.That support continues today with the release of the Pilot's Watch Automatic Edition Laureus Sport for Good, reference IW328101.The Pilot's Watch Automatic Edition Laureus Sport for Good represents the 15th special edition created for Laureus. Limited to 750 pieces, the watch comes in a beautiful, Laureus trademark blue, ceramic 41 mm case. IWC continues to experiment with the material and seems to have mastered the process as they are now doing more coloured ceramicsThe dial, which is reminiscent of that on the brand's Mark XVIII, and displayed behind a beautiful convex sapphire crystal, comes in the same blue hue. Here, the text is kept to a minimum with the name of the brand, the word Automatic and Swiss Made stamped. The brand's classic, black bordered, sword hands, plus that seconds' hand tipped in red, provide a perfect bit of contrast and great legibility. As for the date window, that is located at 3 o'clock and features black numerals on a white background.A grey screw-in crown aids the watch in achieving 100 metres of water resistance while also granting control over the IWC-manufactured caliber 32111 housed inside. This movement beats at 28800 bph, and provides an impressive five-day power reserve on a full wind. The brand takes specifications a step further by also housing the 32111 within a soft-iron inner case (Faraday cage), thus ensuring added protection from pesky magnetic fields.Moving on to the back of the watch, you'll find the one clear signifier that this is a special edition. The titanium caseback features a beautiful engraving of a design created by 12-year-old Melissa Mejia Castilla of Columbia, who participates in a sports programme supported by Laureus. Melissa won the yearly design competition run by IWC that decides which design will grace the watch's caseback. Her design shows a group of multi-coloured people embracing one another, around the warmth of a fire.Overall, the Pilot's Watch Automatic Edition Laureus Sport for Good represents my ideal image of what a charitable piece should be. The identity of the charity is perfectly incorporated within the design without dominating it. A unique identifier, such as Melissa's art work, is included. And finally, the watch must be comfortable to wear. (The rubber backed, textile strap this special edition comes on ensures this.) Add that all together and IWC gives us a watch that's easy to love for both its design and purpose.Pricing and Availability:The IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic Edition Laureus Sport for Good, reference IW328101 available immediately through IWC boutiques, authorized retail partners or online at IWC . Price is listed at $9950 AUD.
03.09.21