For the sixth time, Schaffhausen-based IWC produces a limited edition watch to benefit the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.   Always a fan of “good watches for great causes”, this is the third consecutive IWC Laureus edition that I have covered here at Perpetuelle — see IWC Portuguese Automatic Laureus (2009/2010) and IWC Ingenieur Laureus (2011).  Prior to this there was the the Portuguese Chronograph Automatic in 2006, the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Automatic in 2007, and the Da Vinci Chronograph in 2008.

This year’s Laureus watch is drawn from IWC’s Portofino collection; as in prior years, the watch is created in the characteristic “Laureus blue” color, as a symbol of hope for a better future.  Also as in the past, the caseback of the watch features the winning design of the children’s drawing competition that IWC orchestrates in support of the cause — this year it is an illustration by 7-year-old Kumara Wadu Parami Apsara from Sri Lanka.  Production is a bit higher this year — limited to 2,500 watches (it was 1,000 last year), so hopefully IWC is able to raise more money for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

IWC Portofino Edition Laureus Sport for Good Foundation (Ref. IW391019)

Limited Edition 2,500 pieces

42mm steel case, automatic mechanical chronograph movement – IWC Caliber 39320, date and day display, small hacking seconds, blue alligator strap with pin bucle

The year’s “Time to inspire” drawing competition saw entries from children and young people all over the world, aged between 4 and 16.  The jury finally chose an illustration by 7-year-old Kumara Wadu Parami Apsara from Sri Lanka, who is part of the Seenigama Sport for Life project. The young girl, who was born exactly a month before the devastating tsunami, took inspiration from the subject to depict four young girls happily playing and enjoying themselves without a care in the world

case back engraving based on the winning entry to the “Time to inspire” drawing competition: