Thursday, May 4, 2023

LEWIS HAMILTON IN ULTIMATE BASKETBALL CHALLENGE AHEAD OF MIAMI GP

LEWIS HAMILTON

Miami, Florida - 3rd May 2023: Ahead of the second Miami Grand Prix™, IWC Schaffhausen invited a group of famous athletes and celebrities to compete with seven-time Formula One™ world champion Lewis Hamilton on the basketball court. The “IWC Chrono Challenge” organized in collaboration with Miami-based non-profit charity, Dibia DREAM, marked the first of several events during IWC’s three-day takeover of Jungle Plaza in the heart of the iconic Miami Design District.

The “IWC Chrono Challenge” saw two teams competing against each other in three different basketball skill challenges. “Team Pink” was led by seven-time Formula One™ world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, who was joined by Hollywood actor James Marsden and former professional football player Antrel Rolle. Canadian actor and ‘Barbie Movie’ star Simu Liu, American Olympic skateboarder Jagger Eaton and Dibia DREAM founder and CEO Brandon Okpalobi formed the opposing “Team Green.”


Discussing the IWC Chrono Challenge event Lewis Hamilton said “I think it’s really really great that and we’ve got all these kids here and I think it’s great what IWC is doing. It is so important to be supporting the future of the world.” He continued, “I love basketball, I’ve always been a huge fan. It’s probably my favourite sport, so to have an event where that’s incorporated in it is pretty cool.”

THREE BASKETBALL SKILL CHALLENGES

In the first challenge, players had to dribble and jump towards the basket, trying to achieve as many layups as possible in 60 seconds. Next, the competitors attempted to score as many free throws as they could in a 30-seconds beat-the-buzzer challenge. Finally, two players took turns shooting from several defined spots on the court. For each ball landing in the basket, they received one letter to spell out the word “Chrono” – a playful reference to the recently-launched chronograph. F1TM legend David Coulthard hosted the event, supported by former college basketball athlete and Laureus USA Program Officer Tiffany Aidoo. Hollywood actress Monica Barbaro was responsible for keeping the score and the exact timekeeping of the challenges.

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IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN

In 1868, the American watchmaker and entrepreneur Florentine Ariosto Jones travelled from Boston to Switzerland and founded the ‘International Watch Company’ in Schaffhausen. His visionary dream was to combine advanced American manufacturing methods with the craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers to make the best pocket watches of his time. In doing so, he not only laid the foundation for IWC’s unique engineering approach but also established the centralised production of mechanical watches in Switzerland.

Over its 150 year history, IWC Schaffhausen has developed a reputation for creating functional complications, especially chronographs and calendars, which are ingenious, robust, and easy for customers to use. A pioneer in the use of titanium and ceramics, IWC today specialises in highly engineered technical watch cases manufactured from advanced materials, such as titanium aluminide and Ceratanium®. Preferring the principle of “form follows function” over decoration, the Swiss watch manufacturer’s timeless creations embody their owners’ dreams and ambitions as they journey through life.

IWC sources materials responsibly and takes action to minimise its impact on the environment, creating intrinsically sustainable timepieces that are built to last for generations. The company prides itself in training its own future watchmakers and engineers, as well as offering an excellent working environment for all employees. IWC also partners with organisations that work globally to support children and young people.

IWC AND DIBIA DREAM

For the basketball challenge, IWC once again collaborated with Dibia DREAM, a nonprofit organization sparking social change through STEM education and sport for underserved young people in Miami. IWC has been supporting Dibia DREAM since 2022 through their global partnership with Laureus. Kids from Dibia DREAM programs participated in the warm-up and supported the players as ball girls and boys during the challenge.

The IWC basketball court will remain on Jungle Plaza until Friday. During the takeover, members of the public can register for Basketball Clinics. Dibia DREAM will also organize different educational activities for children. Following the event in Miami, IWC will donate the basketball court to Dibia DREAM and the City of Miami. In addition, IWC will repurpose the mural canvas to support a local organization.

DIBIA DREAM

Founded in 2013, Dibia DREAM provides a safe place after school, on the weekends and in the summer with caring, responsible adults and engaging activities. Dibia DREAM was created with athletes and aspiring youth in underserved communities in mind. Its programs use sports as an instrument to teach life skills and promote mentorship, active participation, and exposure to diverse opportunities through its 5 Pillar program. Dibia DREAM delivers early, positive experiences for students in sport, physical activity, STEM, and education. Our goal is to enrich the youth through transformative experiences.

LAUREUS SPORT FOR GOOD FOUNDATION

Laureus is a global movement that uses the power of sport to transform the lives of children and young people. In 2000, Laureus’ founding patron Nelson Mandela said ‘sport has the power to change the world’, and these words have become the philosophy of Laureus and the driving force behind its work. Since 2000, Laureus Sport for Good has used the power of sport to overcome violence, discrimination and inequality, changing the lives of over six and half million children and young people. Laureus Sport for Good currently supports more than 275 programmes in over 50 countries and territories.

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