FLOWER OF LIFE
IWC Schaffhausen celebrated the opening of its Da Vinci Exhibition at Siam Paragon in Bangkok with brand ambassador Karolina Kurkova. Nina Hidayat reports
FIRST INTRODUCED ALMOST 50 years ago, the Da Vinci collection from IWC Schaffhausen is a series integral to the watchmaker’s identity. The series is marked with simple design that translate into classic round case, large Arabic numerals, slim feuille hands and double framed bezels. Such elegance is inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci himself.
This year sees the launch of the new Da Vinci collection, a modern interpretation of the Da Vinci design from the 1980s and in keeping with the watchmakers’ expertise in making women’s watches. At its heart is the “flower of life”, a sacred symbol that Da Vinci studied for its geometrical and mathematical properties.
In celebration of the collection launch, IWC Schaffhausen hosted Da Vinci Exhibition, a retrospective that was inaugurated at Siam Paragon, Bangkok on June 8. The major event was graced by IWC global brand ambassador, supermodel Karolina Kurkova.
The series of events began with an intimate lunch at Siam Kempinski with Karolina. The high-spirited persona, also a mother of two boys, greeted everyone in person and instantly lit up the room. She wore a nautical mini dress from Monse Maison. Throughout the fourcourse lunch, Karolina shared about modelling, wellness, and mostly her family. She was very proud to be someone who “do it all” – working as a supermodel while taking care of her children without the help of nannies.
Later that night, the atrium of Siam Paragon was packed with over 200 regional guests in anticipation of the Da Vinci Exhibition, among them were IWC friends Christian Sugiono and Titi Kamal. Sonia Couling, a Thai personality and MC for the night, delivered a welcome note. Karolina was up on stage next, showing her gratitude to be in Bangkok for the inauguration of the exhibition. “I will gladly take selfies with everyone!” she said jovially at the end of her note.
After the ribbon cutting, guests got to experience the exhibition in full. On display were a selection of Da Vinci timepieces brought to the region from IWC’s archives. Nine of the watches on display were displayed in Southeast Asia for the very first time. They were the Savonnette Lady’s pocket watch from the 1914, the Lady’s wristwatch from 1967, the Da Vinci line from 1979, the Da Vinci Lady Chronograph from 1995, the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Prototype from 1999, the Da Vinci SLAutomatic Prototype from 1998, the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Rattrapante from 2003 and the Da Vinci Chronograph Edition Laureus Sport for
Good Foundation Prototype from 2008.
At the center of the exhibition was a dark room dedicated to the 2017 Da Vinci collection. Guests experienced the collection, and took photos with it inside a dedicated photo booth – featuring a mirrored backdrop that mimicked the flower of life.
The 2017 Da Vinci collection, first unveiled at this year’s SIHH (Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie) in Geneva, is made up of three main models: the Da Vinci Automatic 36, the Da Vinci Automatic Moon Phase 36 and Da Vinci Automatic. The third is a unisex model, while the first two are catered to women.
“With the new Da Vinci collection, we are consciously trying to anchor the brand in the minds of women, who account for a significant proportion of watch lovers,” says Franziska Gsell, CMO at IWC.