Physicist Brian Cox and Olympic skier Eileen Gu talk about the mysteries of time—a theme that resonates deeply with the craftsmanship and precision of watchmaking.
Picture this: five massive former fuel tanks from Shanghai’s Longhua Airport, now repurposed into one of the city’s most dynamic art and cultural spaces. It’s the kind of place where the unexpected happens, where art meets science, and where deep conversations unfold.
IWC Schaffhausen, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, chose this eclectic venue—Tank Shanghai—to host a unique event ahead of Watches and Wonders Shanghai. The evening was a captivating blend of science, philosophy, and horology, centered around a theme that has fascinated humanity for centuries: the nature of time.
The science of time
Franziska Gsell, CMO of IWC Schaffhausen, Professor Brian Cox, Eileen Gu, and Peter Lao, managing director of IWC Schaffhausen in China
Watches and Wonders Shanghai isn’t just another industry event; it’s the premier showcase for the best in luxury watchmaking in Asia. It’s where tradition meets innovation, and where brands unveil their most cutting-edge designs and technologies. But this year, IWC Schaffhausen decided to go beyond the traditional showcase. They crafted an event that was as much about ideas as it was about watches, bringing together two brilliant minds to explore the concept of time itself—a theme that is intrinsic to the art of watchmaking.
To lead this exploration, IWC brought together Eileen Gu, a world-renowned freestyle skier and physics student at Stanford, and Professor Brian Cox, a physicist celebrated for his ability to make science accessible to everyone. Their discussion wasn’t your typical product presentation; it was a deep, thought-provoking conversation about the mysteries of time—a theme that resonates deeply with the craftsmanship and precision of watchmaking.
A deep dive into time
Eileen Gu and Brian Cox might seem like an unlikely pair, but their shared curiosity about the nature of time made for a compelling dialogue. Eileen Gu, known for her extraordinary achievements in both sports and academics, shared her unique perspective on time. She talked about how she once wrote a letter to her future self predicting her success at the 2022 Winter Olympics—a dream she realized with two gold medals and one silver. For Gu, time is both a measure of achievement and a canvas for dreams.
Professor Brian Cox, known for his popular science programs on the BBC, added a cosmic dimension to the conversation. He discussed how our understanding of time has evolved—from early astronomers tracking celestial movements to modern scientists studying quantum mechanics and black holes.
His insights into time—touching on complex topics like the Pauli Exclusion Principle and the bizarre nature of black holes—turned the conversation into a fascinating journey through scientific discovery and philosophical inquiry. For both speakers, time is not just something we measure with a watch; it’s a mystery that invites endless exploration.
The Portugieser collection
After their captivating discussion, the spotlight turned to IWC’s new Portugieser collection—a series of watches that do more than tell time; they capture its essence. The highlight of the collection, the Portugieser Eternal Calendar, is a marvel of horological engineering. Featuring a 400-year gear and a moon phase display designed to remain accurate for over 45 million years, this timepiece is more than just a watch—it’s a testament to humanity’s enduring fascination with mastering the flow of time.
The Portugieser collection at a glance
New versions in gold or stainless steel with various dial colors, powered by the IWC 69355 calibre for precise timekeeping. 
Slimmer case design with box-shaped glasses and a 7-day power reserve. Available in four variations in 18-carat gold with diverse dial colors. 
A timeless design with a clean dial, inspired by the original 1939 model. Features the 82200 calibre and a 60-hour power reserve, in two gold variations. 
A refined design with a slimmer case and a 7-day power reserve. Available in six versions, including options in white gold, 5N gold, or stainless steel. 
The first perpetual calendar by IWC that accounts for Gregorian leap year exceptions with a 400-year gear. Its moon phase deviation is accurate to one day every 45 million years. 
Features a flying minute tourbillon and day-night indicator. Crafted in 18-carat Armor Gold® with an Obsidian dial, powered by the IWC 81925 calibre.
Professor Cox was quick to highlight how these watches reflect the human desire to understand and capture time. The meticulous craftsmanship and technological innovation behind the Portugieser Eternal Calendar mirror the same curiosity and precision that drive scientific exploration.
Meanwhile, Eileen Gu expressed her admiration for the collection’s design elements, such as the colors Horizon Blue, Dune, Obsidian, and Silver Moon. These choices aren’t just aesthetic; they symbolize the eternal cycles of the natural world and the universe’s mysteries. She also praised the detailed craftsmanship, noting the intricate 60-step process involved in creating each dial. These watches, she noted, are not just about precision—they are works of art.
The event concluded with a stunning performance by a string quartet from Shanghai, playing “A Tribute to Eternity,” a piece composed by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer and Professor Brian Cox. The music, inspired by the new Portugieser collection, served as a sonic interpretation of time’s mysteries. The haunting melodies and rich harmonies created a sensory experience that perfectly mirrored the evening’s theme—a fitting end to a conversation about the infinite.
