Jubilant Times
IWC Schaffhausen’s 150th birthday blowout at SIHH 2018 was a night to remember, says Nicolette Wong
very year, esteemed visitors to the annual Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) fair in Geneva eagerly await Swiss watchmaker IWC Schaffhausen’s big, star-studded bash, which is typically held on Tuesday —Super Tuesday, as the brand calls it. Its 150th-anniversary celebration this year saw rivers of bubbly flow during the cocktail session, tempered by the canapes that were passed around. An acrobatic dance performance featured energetic dancers dashing through the crowds of merry guests, culminating in a high that had everyone giggling as they shuffled into the dining room. Inside, a descending structure in the centre of the hall set the stage for the evening’s performances. The programme kicked off with a rousing address by IWC CEO Christoph Grainger-herr, who paid tribute to the venerable Kurt Klaus, who, besides being a watchmaking legend, is also now a movie star. He was the main protagonist in the short film about IWC’S 150 years in the business. Grainger-herr’s charisma made him a hard act to follow, but consummate American crooner Aloe Blacc did an admirable job, belting out tunes throughout the evening, and even performing a duet of Amy Winehouse’s Valerie with long‑time IWC friend Ronan Keating. By the time British singer Paloma Faith came on, everyone was on their feet and dancing to the beat. The party later continued back in the cocktail area, where DJ Rollo Tomasi spun late into the night. We have to say, even at 150 years old, IWC knows how to throw a great party.