IWC Schaffhausen recently hosted an exclusive event at the Tank Shanghai Art Center, bringing together notable personalities Eileen Gu, a freestyle skier and student at Stanford University, and Professor Brian Cox, a distinguished physicist from the University of Manchester. This gathering served as a prelude to Watches and Wonders Shanghai, where the new Portugieser collection was showcased.
A Passion for Science and the Concept of Time
The event commenced with an engaging conversation between Eileen Gu and Professor Brian Cox. Eileen, besides her achievements in sports, is deeply interested in physics, which aligns with Professor Cox’s expertise. Their discussion revolved around the concepts of time and eternity, exploring the philosophical and scientific aspects of these themes. Eileen shared a personal anecdote, revealing that she once wrote a letter to her future self, predicting her success at the 2022 Winter Olympics—a reflection of her deep contemplation of time.
Commenting on the event, Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen, stated, “We were excited to unite Eileen Gu with Professor Brian Cox, bringing together two personalities who have achieved extraordinary feats and have a special connection to our brand. With their meaningful conversation about the concepts of time and eternity, they captured and inspired the audience. I could not have imagined a better start to Watches and Wonders Shanghai.”
The New Portugieser Collection: A Blend of Innovation and Tradition
The event also provided an opportunity for a closer look at IWC’s latest Portugieser collection. Professor Brian Cox expressed his admiration for the Portugieser Eternal Calendar, highlighting its sophisticated engineering. “Human curiosity led to the observation of celestial movements, helping our understanding of the continuous passage of time and ultimately leading to the development of the Gregorian calendar we use today,” said Professor Cox. He emphasized how such innovations stem from humanity’s age-old curiosity about celestial movements, which ultimately led to the development of the Gregorian calendar.
Eileen Gu, on the other hand, praised the new color variants in the collection—Horizon Blue, Dune, Obsidian, and Silver Moon. She noted that these colors, along with the intricately crafted dials, evoke the eternal cycle of day and night, resonating with the mysteries of time and the beauty of the universe. The dials, which undergo a meticulous 60-step process and are coated with 15 layers of transparent lacquer, left a strong impression on her.
A Musical Tribute to Eternity
The evening concluded with a special performance by a string quartet, playing “A Tribute to Eternity,” a composition by Academy Award®-winning composer Hans Zimmer and Professor Brian Cox. The piece, inspired by the Portugieser collection, was a fitting end to an event centered around the theme of time.
Conclusion
IWC Schaffhausen’s event at Tank Shanghai was not just a showcase of its latest horological innovations but also an exploration of deeper themes such as time and eternity, tying together science, art, and craftsmanship. For more details on the new Portugieser collection, readers are invited to visit the official IWC Schaffhausen website.
