February 23th, 2009 Le Sentier, Switzerland – On February 16th, jaeger-lecoultre watches started an online auction of the prototype "Number 1" of the model Master Compressor Extreme W-Alarm Tides of Time, from its SIHH 2009 collection. A week after, the Charity Auction price of the Master Compressor W-Alarm Tides of Time has successfully reached the sum of 13,500 Sterling Pounds (approx. 15,000 Euros or $19,500). The last seconds of the bidding were very intense, and ended with a final bid made by a French collector last Friday, February 20th.

100% of the proceeds, (the sale of the prototype combined with the registration fees) will go to a World Heritage project identified by UNESCO. The protected marine site of Tubbataha, in the Philippines, has been chosen for the donation.

About the Watch

Symbolising the "Tides of Time" partnership between Jaeger-LeCoultre, the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the International Herald Tribune, this timepiece associates two of the Manufacture's emblematic complications: an alarm and the simultaneous display of the time in 24 time zones. Three of the cities on its outer dial ring have been replaced by three natural sites – Scandola in France, Galapagos in Ecudor and Tubbataha in Philippines - inscribed on the World Heritage List benefiting from a dedicated preservation programme supported by Jaeger-LeCoultre.

About the Partnership :Tides of Time & The World Heritage Marine Center

"Making Time More Beautiful" is the name of Jaeger-LeCoultre's global strategy to counter the threats to our planet. It aims not only to preserve the manufacturing company's exceptional natural environment, but to support projects of international scope as well. In this regard, the watchmaking company has entered into a three-year partnership with the Unesco World Heritage Centre to support the preservation of outstanding marine sites that are in immediate need of protection. To make people aware of this environmental cause, Jaeger-LeCoultre joined the International Herald Tribune in publishing information about the eight selected Unesco World Heritage sites in its "Tides of Time" section.

The Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre is involved in a three-year partnership with the UNESCO World Heritage Centre and the International Herald Tribune to help promote, protect and safeguard outstanding marine sites that require specific immediate intervention. The 2009-10 program with the new selected Unesco World Heritage sites will be soon announced by Jaeger-LeCoultre and the UNESCO.