CBS Watch! And Waldan International Auction Custom-Made Swiss Watches To Benefit Non-Profits

NEW YORK, Feb. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Watch!, the official magazine of CBS, recently partnered with Waldan International, one of the world's top Swiss watch makers, to auction off hand-made timepieces to benefit two non-profits. A silent auction held during the magazine's 10-year anniversary on Feb. 9 raised $10,000 in proceeds for the Museum of Tolerance, a Los Angeles-based institution dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in historic and contemporary contexts, and Team Rubicon Global, an organization that repurposes the skills of military veterans to rapidly deploy emergency response teams. 

"We are so pleased to have partnered with Waldan International and CBS Watch! magazine on this fundraiser. The Museum of Tolerance is a real catalyst for positive social change, bringing people together in a unique, powerful environment where there is 'understanding room only' for the crucial conversations that remind us of our shared humanity and our social responsibility," said Liebe Geft, the museum's director. "The immersive experience challenges us to learn from the past, engage in the present and shape a more respectful, inclusive and joyous future for all."

"Military veterans represent a tremendous asset for the communities and countries to which they are returning, and this auction has given us additional support to achieve that objective," said Ken Harbaugh, President and COO of Team Rubicon Global. "Veterans are leaders, they have incredible skills and training, and they have performed in the most difficult environments on earth – in other words, they are ideally suited for the challenges of disaster relief. At Team Rubicon Global, our goal is to enable countries around the world to form their own veteran-led disaster response organizations."

"This is a unique way to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Watch! while benefitting two very worthy organizations," said Jeremy Murphy, General Manager and Editor in Chief of the magazine. "It has made our magazine's milestone so much more meaningful."

"My father survived the Nazi concentration camp in Buchenwald by repairing the watches of Nazi guards, and he spent the rest of his life using the skills he learned to build our company and give back," said Andrew Waldan, owner of Waldan International. "Those values are engrained in our company, which makes partnering with CBS Watch!, the Museum of Tolerance and Team Rubicon Global extra special."

The timepieces, a rare special edition of the Chronograph Chronometer model series, feature a 38-millimeter rose gold case with a series of multicolored enamel dials. The watches are powered by Waldan's Valjoux 7751 automatic winding movement, which also boasts a 42-hour power reserve. The mechanics of the hand-made timepieces allow a wide range of functions such as a rotating moon phase, triple date (full calendar) apertures, chronograph with minute and hour recorders and a GMT indicator.

As part of the 10-year anniversary of Watch!, Waldan International also created a limited edition timepiece bearing the CBS logo as a sweepstakes prize for the magazine's readers. Waldan acquired color inks that match the exact pantone of the iconic CBS logo to hand-paint all the Arabic numerals and hands. The numerals were then hand-applied by the company's craftsman, while the CBS eye was printed onto the enamel near the three o'clock marker.

"When focusing on its aesthetic, my vision was for the watch to be a powerful representation of CBS's glossy magazine, which meant the design should be classic and strong in its own right," said Waldan. "The model we decided to use is a versatile and longstanding movement in the industry. It's certainly a special way to celebrate Watch! magazine's 10-year anniversary."

About Waldan International:
Waldan International is an independent, family-owned and run Swiss timepiece design and manufacturing firm. The company was established in 1979, and has designed and manufactured collections for names such as: Tiffany & Co, Tourneau, H. Stern, Verdura and Neiman Marcus. The firm's focus is now creating some of the most beautifully and classically designed chronographs for discerning collectors around the world, using a massive collection of iconic and vintage Swiss movements.

About Watch! Magazine:
Now celebrating its 10-year anniversary, Watch! is the official glossy magazine of CBS, offering a rare, glamorous window into the lives of television's biggest stars. With sumptuous photography, exotic settings, first class editorial and top tier talents, Watch! has steadily become one of the industry's most elegant, sophisticated publications, effortlessly blending the worlds of celebrity, culture, fashion, travel and beauty in a magazine that reaches 1 million readers across the US. Every issues features work from the most celebrated talents, from photographers like Patrick Demarchelier, Art Strieber, Ellen von Unwerth and Ruven Afonador to leading editorial voices like Kate Betts, Michael Musto, Brantley Bardin, Hudson Morgan and Rebecca Ascher-Walsh.

About the Museum of Tolerance:
The Museum of Tolerance (MOT) is a human rights laboratory and educational center dedicated to challenging visitors to understand the Holocaust in historic and contemporary contexts and confront all forms of prejudice and discrimination in our world today. The only museum of its kind, it is the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, an internationally renowned Jewish human rights organization.  Through interactive exhibits, special events, and customized programs for youths and adults, the Museum engages visitors while challenging them to assume personal responsibility for positive change. Visitors are also offered the extraordinary opportunity to hear personal testimonies from Holocaust survivors and other powerful speakers whose stories and perspectives bring the Museum themes to life. Recipient of the Global Peace and Tolerance Award from the Friends of the United Nations, this unique institution offers a motivational mix of historical discovery and personal empowerment.

About Team Rubicon Global:
Team Rubicon Global repurposes the skills of military veterans to rapidly deploy emergency response teams.  As the frequency and severity of natural disasters increases, veterans around the world are lining up to serve as part of Team Rubicon Global. When disaster hits, there is an immediate demand for a well-trained, prepared, and coordinated network of first responders.  Whether the need is for medical triage, incident management, or debris clearing, veterans have a unique set of skills that makes them ideal on-the-ground responders.

SOURCE Watch! Magazine