5,026 Discussions and CommentsMember since Aug. 9, 2006
Alan, Nad and I had the rare honor to be invited by IWC North America to attend “A Night in Portofino” at SIHH 2011 last night. Each year IWC hosts a very special event for their key customers from around the world. The evening is far more than just cocktails and dinner. The press release says it best:
“The company threw a huge party to mark the arrival of the latest additions to the Portofino family, a collection that combines gorgeous simplicity with discreet elegance.
Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, personally welcomed many of the Friends of the Brand, Cate Blanchett and Matthew Fox, Jean Reno and Zinedine Zidane together with Marc Forster, Kevin Spacey, Luis Figo, Boris Becker and Ronan Keating all honoured the event with their presence. Also taking part were legendary photographer Peter Lindbergh and ex-super model Elle Macpherrson…” We walked among the stars last night, now only the new Portofino Novelities, but also the IWC Ambassadors in attendance.
The evening started with a brief train ride to the Palexpo exhibition hall where the massive affair was held. Over 900 guests were invited. Having had the opportunity to also attend last year’s similar event, I have to say this evening was exceptional and will be difficult to duplicate in the future.
Here are a couple of photos as we approached the venue:
The train ride on a nearly full moon night:
As you entered the venue it was set up with a movie-making theme. Camera equipment, klieg lights and the photo wall for the celebrities were spread out along the entryway. A movie house marquee served as the entrance to the hall. Listed were the names of the stars of the evening…
A non-star for sure…no paparazzi were following…
While we waited to enter Alan doppelganger watch appeared. Can you believe it…two stealth Los Angeles Edition BP together in one place:
The first part of the tour was a separate area with black and white photos by Peter Lindberg taken in Portofino with the actual stars of the production. It was a La Dolce Vita feeling. This is the closest we got to movie stardom.
After the cocktail and appetizer time, we were guided into the dining area to enjoy the food the festivities.
“The company threw a huge party to mark the arrival of the latest additions to the Portofino family, a collection that combines gorgeous simplicity with discreet elegance.
Georges Kern, CEO of IWC Schaffhausen, personally welcomed many of the Friends of the Brand, Cate Blanchett and Matthew Fox, Jean Reno and Zinedine Zidane together with Marc Forster, Kevin Spacey, Luis Figo, Boris Becker and Ronan Keating all honoured the event with their presence. Also taking part were legendary photographer Peter Lindbergh and ex-super model Elle Macpherrson…” We walked among the stars last night, now only the new Portofino Novelities, but also the IWC Ambassadors in attendance.
The evening started with a brief train ride to the Palexpo exhibition hall where the massive affair was held. Over 900 guests were invited. Having had the opportunity to also attend last year’s similar event, I have to say this evening was exceptional and will be difficult to duplicate in the future.
Here are a couple of photos as we approached the venue:
The train ride on a nearly full moon night:
As you entered the venue it was set up with a movie-making theme. Camera equipment, klieg lights and the photo wall for the celebrities were spread out along the entryway. A movie house marquee served as the entrance to the hall. Listed were the names of the stars of the evening…
A non-star for sure…no paparazzi were following…
While we waited to enter Alan doppelganger watch appeared. Can you believe it…two stealth Los Angeles Edition BP together in one place:
The first part of the tour was a separate area with black and white photos by Peter Lindberg taken in Portofino with the actual stars of the production. It was a La Dolce Vita feeling. This is the closest we got to movie stardom.
After the cocktail and appetizer time, we were guided into the dining area to enjoy the food the festivities.
MF and Alan at our table:
Bill
Last edited: 23 June, 2012 - 20:15
Kind regards,
Clemens (still getting used to the new Forum...)
Last edited: 30 May, 2012 - 20:59
b.bunnik <u>at</u> zonnet.nl
Last edited: 27 August, 2011 - 21:53