Sandra‘s Closet

One of the most exciting events of the year is the IWC gala held during the SIHH. Each year, Georges Kern, CEO IWC Schaffhausen, brings glamour and worldclass celebrities to Geneva. One night that makes you feel more like being in Hollywood than in Switzerland.

Georges Kern, CEO IWC Schaffhausen, with me

On the red carpet at this incredible event were Ewan McGregor, Zinédine Zidane, Karolina Kurkova, Ross Brawn, Eric Dane, Adriana Lima, Luis Figo and Matthew Fox, among many others. I had so much fun watching all of them arrive and was spotted myself…

Racing driver for the Mercedes GP Formula One™ team: Nico Rosberg

Model Victoria Silvstedt

Unzipped, the best “backolleté”: Karoline Huber, CMO IWC Schaffhausen, in Tom Ford

This year, the theme “IWC RACE NIGHT” was of course matching the house’s newest launch of its new Ingenieur watches that I had a closer look at during a tour around the amazing IWC booth earlier that day. (For the post, please click here.) The latest collection aptly expresses the spirit of the new partnership between the Schaffhausen watchmaker and the MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS Formula One™ Team.

My look: Black jumpsuit by Michael Kors, shrug by D&G Dolce Gabbana, Elsie bag by Chloé, Tribute patent-leather sandals by Saint Laurent, cuff by Stella McCartney, necklace by Roberto Cavalli and earrings by Chanel.

Tim Jefferies

Actor Ralf Moeller with me

Photographer Peter Lindbergh with me

Lovely Karolina Kurkova

Two angels in Geneva: Victoria Secret Models Karolina Kurkova and Adriana Lima in Roberto Cavalli

Grey’s Anatomy “McSteamy” Eric Dane with me

Together with IWC CEO Georges Kern, Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey compèred the IWC Race Night, while Nico Rosberg and his sleek Formula One™ racing car galvanized the atmosphere. The moment, we heard the sound of the engine, it was clear why each of the over 850 guests had ear plugs at the table.

A spectacular competition between some prominent guests ensued when Nico Rosberg invited them to change the tyres on his Formula One™ car. In a simulated pit stop, top model Karolina Kurkova, film stars Matthew Fox, Jean Reno and Eric Dane, as well as Asian actors Francis Ng and Kiichi Nakai tried to get the sleek-bodied vehicle back on the track in the 3 seconds that were given to them.

Great team work: Karolina Kurkova and Jean Reno

A happy Eric Dane

Concentrated: Tim Jefferies and Marc Forster

Those two are having fun: Marc Forster and Kevin Spacey

Personally speaking, the culmination of the night was a private concert from the British band Jamiroquai. Lead singer Jay Kay has such a rhythm and incredible presence on stage that  I couldn’t stop dancing all night… as you can see in the last picture.

Thank you, IWC, for letting me be part of this outstanding event!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

IWC Schaffhausen‘s gala event under the motto “TOP GUN” was the absolute culmination of this year’s SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie).What a night! 

“Our aim this evening was to create an emotional experience for our guests, based on the story of our Pilot’s Watches: a story that started in 1936 with the Special Pilot’s Watch and has been part of IWC Schaffhausen’s DNA ever since,” said IWC CEO Georges Kern.

Many A-list Hollywood celebrities followed his invitation to celebrate the launch of the brand’s new Pilot’s Watch collection.

In the presence of celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Jean Reno, Ewan McGregor, Ronan Keating, sporting legends Boris Becker, Luís Figo and Zinédine Zidane, German actors Herbert Knaup, Thomas Heintze and Moritz Bleibtreu as well as top model Adriana Lima, I enjoyed an unforgettable gala evening in a stunningly decorated Palexpo Exhibition Hall rounded off with a performance from the legendary Bryan Ferry. And not only actor Ewan McGregor was entranced by Adriana Lima’s stunning long legs… (see photo below).

From left to right: Ronan Keating, Herbert Knaup, Ewan McGregor, Sebastian Koch, Marc Forster, Thomas Heinze, Adriana Lima, the evening’s host IWC CEO Georges Kern, Boris Becker and Moritz Bleibtreu (Photos: Photopress/Getty Images).

My look: Sequined dress with feathers by Matthew Williamson, oversized clutch by Miu Miu, python sandals by Gucci and earrings by Louis Vuitton.

Actor Ewan McGregor with me

Two Brazilians getting along very well…

Supermodel Adriana Lima and author Paulo Coelho

Adriana Lima with me (Photo: Maren Krass)

Cate Blanchett

Jean Reno and Rosamunde Pike

Jean Reno with me

Bryan Ferry on stage

Lily Becker

Tim Jeffries

German Actor Moritz Bleibtreu with me

Dancing all night… here with Italian blogger Filippo Fiora (Photo: Filippo Fiora)

If you are interested to see the photos from IWC’s SIHH 2011 gala event “A Night in Portofino”, click here for the previous post.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

The IWC booth at the 21st SIHH was designed in the style of the 1950s and `60s right down to the last detail, transporting the visitors to the Italian-style joie de vivre of Portofino, to the sweet dolce fa niente… as the hours go by.
The hostesses were dressed in beautiful petticoats with make-up and hair finishing off the perfect vintage look. A scooter parked in front of the “Via Scafusia”, an ice-cream vendor, a cinema for press presentations were just among those amazing ideas to create the wonderful surrounding.
Have fun seeing all the celebs who came to the fair. Hollywood made in Switzerland, two thumbs up!

LoL, Sandra

Georges Kern, CEO of IWC, in his amazing office at the booth.

On display his well-deserved award...

...and the beautiful photo book by Peter Lindbergh.

Tim Jeffries had a good laugh with Ronan Keating...

...before inspecting all the beautiful new Portofino watches.

Tim Jeffries with me.

Vitali Klitschko had a brief conversation with Ion Tiriac about sports.

Boris Becker with me.

Lilly Becker with me.

French former soccer player Zinédine Zidane with Georges Kern.

Luis Figo greeted Joachim Loew, soccer trainer and one of the best dressed men.

Director of the 007 James Bond movie Quantum of Solace Marc Forster with me.

That is me taking the photo below...

...of Kevin Spacey and Georges Kern enjoying the photos.

Later on, Cate Blanchett looked at the amazing book.

That might have been one of her favourite pages.

Photographer Peter Lindbergh with Cate Blanchett.

LOST actor Matthew Fox surprised with his beard.

And here she came: Gorgeous Elle Macpherson.

On the scooter with colleague Matthew Fox.

Loved her look with the red shoes and the little toe rings.

Elle greeted cheerfully Peter Lindbergh.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Getty Images for IWC