In 2025, two anniversaries converge to tell a story beyond timekeeping: 20 years of IWC Schaffhausen’s partnership with Laureus Sport for Good and the 25th anniversary of the Laureus Foundation. Since 2005, the Swiss luxury watchmaker has gone far beyond crafting exquisite timepieces—it has embraced a mission to transform lives through sport.
Every year, IWC marks this partnership with more than a special-edition timepiece. It delivers a dedicated grant to a Laureus-supported program, reinforcing the shared belief that sport can break barriers and create opportunity. This year, that story shines on the ice, in the heart of Harlem.
Selected as the 2025 grant recipient, Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) is more than an athletic program—it’s a movement for empowerment. Founded in 1997 by Sharon Cohen, FSH blends academic support, leadership training, and the grace of figure skating to create an environment where girls of color thrive.
Serving over 200 girls annually and boasting a network of 1,500 alumnae, FSH stands as the only organization of its kind in the world. Its mission transcends sport: confidence, resilience, and education take center stage. As Cohen often says, “The ice teaches them: when I fall, I get back up.”
The program’s powerful work is also gaining recognition beyond the rink, thanks to the acclaimed Disney+ docuseries Harlem Ice, produced by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, and Robin Roberts. It offers a candid look into the lives of these young athletes, balancing ambition with academics.
To celebrate this year’s Laureus partnership, IWC unveils the Portofino Automatic Pointer Date Laureus Edition (Ref. IW359202)—a watch that embodies both artistry and advocacy.
Case & Dial: A 39 mm stainless steel case houses a Laureus blue sunray-finished dial, accented with rhodium-plated hands and applied indices.
Signature Detail: A central pointer date sweeps elegantly across the dial, a nod to IWC’s timeless design philosophy.
Movement: Inside beats the automatic Caliber 35160, offering a robust 50-hour power reserve.
Limited Edition: Only 500 pieces exist, making this more than a timepiece—it’s a collector’s statement with purpose.
Finishing Touch: A blue calfskin strap and a caseback engraved with the Laureus logo and the foundation’s 25th-anniversary tribute complete the design.
Franziska Gsell, IWC’s Chief Marketing Officer, underscores the significance:
“For two decades, we have joined forces with Laureus to make a real difference. This watch reflects not only our craftsmanship but our commitment to creating opportunities for young people worldwide.”
Founded in 2000, Laureus Sport for Good uses sport to end violence, discrimination, and disadvantage. Over 25 years, it has reached over seven million children and young people through more than 300 programs across 40 countries.
The foundation’s mission is as elegant as it is urgent: to harness the power of sport to change the world. And through partners like IWC, that mission gains both visibility and sustainability.
Olympic champion and Laureus Academy Member Katarina Witt sums it up:
“This edition is more than a watch—it’s a tribute to the incredible young women of Figure Skating in Harlem and what they represent: courage, confidence, and hope.”
Luxury often speaks the language of exclusivity, but this collaboration speaks a different dialect: inclusivity, empowerment, and possibility. The Portofino Automatic Pointer Date Laureus Edition is not merely a celebration of horology—it’s a symbol of resilience and transformation.
As the hands of time move forward, so does the promise of progress—on and off the ice.
