Sandra‘s Closet

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

Every year, IWC Schaffhausen is lauded at SIHH (the Salon International de l’Haute Horlogerie in Geneva), for having the biggest and most spectacular booth. Remember last year’s Portofino theme which was truly amazing? (If not, please click here.)

This year is no different. The booth turned out even more spectacular than ever before, designed to look and feel like a US Aircraft Carrier. The highlight was a spectacular, real-life flight simulator in the body of a real fighter jet.

No wonder that many celebrities came to see the booth and to explore the newest collection of Pilot’s watches.

Please enjoy my photos below!

LoL, Sandra

German actor Sebastian Koch listening carefully to his “flight instructions”

Singer Ronan Keating with me

Famous actor Ewan McGregor (Star Wars prequel trilogy, Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge)

CEO of IWC, Georges Kern, with his wife Monika Kern and Ewan McGregor

Gorgeous Victoria Secret supermodel Adriana Lima…

…had a lot of fun.

From left to right: Ewan McGregor, Ronan Keating, Marc Forster and Georges Kern.

What have those gentlemen in common?

They all wear IWC watches.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht

“Inspired by the glittering realm of Monaco’s legendary Monte Carlo Casino, La Monégasque collection is crafted with the Player in mind—the passionate, elegant, audacious individual who has mastered the high-stakes world. The timepieces in this daring collection utilize Roger Dubuis’ latest generation of cutting-edge movements, each respecting the brand’s grand aesthetic traditions while fulfilling the exacting standards demanded by the Poinçon de Genève. On each watch’s face, a dramatic and stimulating world artfully takes shape. And within each casing, a gorgeously calculated mechanism comes alive. Venture where captivating horology meets a flamboyant, bold lifestyle … where the gamer presides at the head of life’s table.”

The amazing invitation with a countdown clock.

To celebrate the launch of its new collection „La Monégasque“, Roger Dubuis had the pleasure to welcome more than 200 guests from all over the world in Monaco at the famous Hotel de Paris on Thursday night. The beautiful watches are inspired by Monte Carlo’s elegance and style so that the luxurious Swiss brand could not conceive any better place than the glamourous Mediterranean seaside resort.

Georges Kern, CEO of Roger Dubuis, greeted on the red carpet  international style icon Daphne Guinness, gallery owner Alex Dellal and renowned shoe designer Christian Louboutin among others.

When Haute Horlogerie meets glamour, it surely evokes a night of magic. For more information on the collection including 8 pieces of which some are limited, please click here.

LoL, Sandra

Alex Dellal and Georges Kern

Christian Louboutin framed by Daphne Guinness to the right and me to the left

Christian Louboutin sported his new shoe collection for men

One of the evening’s highlights was the outstanding performance of Curtis Stigers.

Alberto Cibrario, Leona Sigrist and Suryia Hill with me

Photos: © Tony Barson/Getty Images for Roger Dubuis and © Sandra Bauknecht

IWC’s gala event “A Night in Portofino” brought together well known faces – including many Hollywood celebrities. Guests arrived on the red carpet and were able to browse through the beautiful exhibition that showed Peter Lindbergh’s Days in Portofino on their way to the main hall where they finally arrived in the carefree days of the 1950 and `60s.

The entire evening was outstanding showing a “making-of“ film of the shoot and an impressive performance of Zurich Opera House, with a 60-strong orchestra and tenor Neil Shicoff.

Another highlight of the night was also when Tim Jefferies and Georges Kern started to introduce the Friends of the Brand. When all celebrities were on stage, you felt like being at the Oscar’s.
Enjoy all those beautiful photos of a night to remember.

LoL, Sandra

Ronan Keating demonstrates what this night is about to celebrate the launch of the new IWC Portofino watch family.

Elle Macpherson looked amazing...

...on the red carpet in her floor sweeping black gown.

Unbelievable that this beauty will turn 48 in March this year!

Elle Macpherson with me.

IWC CEO Georges Kern with his wife Monika who combined her dotted stockings with kitten heels, well done!

Luis Figo and his beautiful wife Helen Svedin

Hollywood in Geneva: Kevin Spacey with Cate Blanchett

I loved Cate's lipstick colour!

Matthew Fox with his wife Margherita Ronchi who was among the worst dressed. Those boots are a no-go for a red carpet gala event and the zebra look is pretty questionable, too. Her best accessory was definitely her hubby and their love for each other.

Me with LOST star Matthew Fox.

A wonderful opera performance was among the highlight of the nights...

...as well as Ronan Keating's singing some of his hits on stage.

Me framed by bestselling author Paulo Coehlo and Ronan Keating.

Elle talking to Ronan...

...intensively...

...and obviously very funny.

Malin, wife of Tim Jeffries, Elle Macpherson and Lilly Becker

Malin and Tim Jeffries

Elle Macpherson, Marc Forster and Cate Blanchett.

Cate Blanchett with me.

Zinédine Zidane with his wife Véronique in little D&G dots.

Georges Kern asked all celebrities on stage...

...among them Boris Becker, Elle Macpherson...

...and Jean Reno.

Kevin Spacey imitated Bill Clinton...

...and sang something for us.

Cate Blanchett spoke about the shoot in Portofino.

A kiss on the hand... what a gentleman!

Peter Lindbergh...

...took a photo of the Oscar-like crowd on stage.

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht, © Getty Images for IWC

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