This is the third year that IWC Schaffhausen is a partner of the Tribeca Film Festival. To celebrate, the Swiss watchmaker created 100 special-edition watches to be sold in the US, called the Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days Edition “Tribeca Film Festival 2015.” IWC also auctioned off a one-of-a-kind timepiece, the Portofino Monopusher Edition “Tribeca Film Festival 2015” Unique Piece, which was sold by Christie’s last Friday for $50,000. We caught up with the brand’s North American President Edouard d’Arbaumont about the ongoing partnership and his personal fascination with film.
WHITEWALL: This is the third year you’ve collaborated with the Tribeca Film Festival, how did that collaboration come about?
EDOUARD D’ARBAUMONT: IWC wanted to continue the tradition of supporting the Tribeca Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Institute. The filmmaking and watchmaking industries also share similar qualities as both rely on the appreciation of time and require the effort of thousands to make a timepiece or movie come to life.
WW: All proceeds from the auction package, which includes the Portofino Monopusher Edition “Tribeca Film Festival 2015” Unique Piece, plus tickets and amenities for the festival, will be donated to the Tribeca Film Institute, the nonprofit affiliate of the festival. Will the sale go to benefit any program in particular?
EDA: We design the Tribeca Film Festival timepieces to support the film industry and its vital young talent, so it is important to raise as much awareness and money as possible for the Tribeca Film Institute. Each year the goal of our auction is to garner support of TFI by creating a product that will certainly intrigue our collectors worldwide. The entire proceeds of the auction are given to the Tribeca Film Institute as well as an additional donation from IWC, which brings the overall total to $100,000. From that $100,000, a $25,000 grant goes to one filmmaker – the winner of the IWC Filmmaker Award. Then the rest of the funds are used by Tribeca Film Institute to support filmmakers and the filmmaking community throughout the year.
WW: The Tribeca Film Festival timepieces have maintained a similar face design over the three years of the collaboration, what makes the Portofino Monopusher Edition “Tribeca Film Festival 2015” and the Hand-wound Eight Days timepieces unique?
EDA: The Portofino Monopusher Edition “Tribeca Film Festival 2015” Unique Piece introduces a new complication to IWC’s movement portfolio. We chose to release this new complication in honor of the Tribeca Film Festival. The Hand-Would Eight Days timepiece is unique because it was only produced in a limited number of 100 and is exclusively available in the United States. The display case back bears the logo of the Tribeca Film Festival, and the lettering ONE OUT OF 100 is a reminder that only very few watch lovers will be able to secure this extra-special edition.
WW: Do you have a personal interest in film?
EDA: Yes, I love film. I grew up in France, and appreciated film through the iconic cinematic works from our great filmmakers like Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut. Then, early on in my career, I lived in California and was greatly inspired with the world of Hollywood and American Cinema. Now, working with IWC, given our strong ties to filmmaking throughout the world, I am able to support and stay active in the film industry.
WW: What are some of your favorite movies?
EDA: I personally love JFK from Oliver Stone, Le Grand Bleu from Luc Besson, and The Artist from Michel Hazanavicius.
