Jaeger-LeCoultre Teams Up with Leonardo DiCaprio to Raise Money for the Environment for its 175th Anniversary

NEW YORK (Map) - NEW YORK, July 8 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to the global environmental crisis, everyone agrees time is of the essence. With that in mind, luxury Swiss watch company Jaeger-LeCoultre -- in partnership with actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio -- has created its "Time to Care" program, to benefit the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at the California Community Foundation. The fund-raising focal point of the initiative will be the sale of two uniquely executed timepieces in the fall of 2008. Both will be the first of an extraordinary limited series of watches that feature technology never used before. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at the CCF in order to further its work with environmental programs worldwide. The watches will be presented exclusively at the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Boutiques in Boca Raton and Beverly Hills, scheduled to open summer and fall of this year, respectively.

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The longstanding efforts of Jaeger-LeCoultre to preserve the environment drew to its attention to the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at the CCF. His organization is devoted to heightening awareness and spurring action on issues that range from global warming and alternative and renewable energy sources, to the preservation of the planet's biodiversity. The foundation works with well-respected entities, such as the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Global Green USA. The NRDC's goal is to defend the Earth, its people, its plants and animals and the natural systems on which all life depends. Global Green USA focuses on stopping global climate change, eliminating weapons of mass destruction and providing safe drinking water for those who do not have access to it. (For more information, visit www.globalgreen.org).

The first unique piece for sale will be a one-of-a-kind Master Compressor Extreme Lab, worn by DiCaprio to the premiere of his documentary, "The 11th Hour." This piece will be the first watch in the Extreme Lab series to be delivered anywhere in the world, and is valued at approximately $300,000. It will be engraved with Leonardo DiCaprio's signature. The watch, crafted in carbon fiber and titanium, features an automatic tourbillon, two time zones, a pointer-type AM/PM indication at 12 o'clock and a patented jumping date display between 15 and 16 linked to local time. This revolutionary concept watch features the first mechanical movement to operate without any lubricant and it is resistant to extreme temperatures of -40 degrees to +60 degrees Celsius.

The second unique timepiece for sale will be a one-of-a-kind edition of the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2. Valued at approximately $400,000, it contains a state-of-the-art, first-ever spherical tourbillon and will be the first watch in the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 series to be delivered anywhere in world. A key feature is the cylinder-shaped balance-spring with end curves. This innovation represents a breakthrough in the field of accuracy and paves the way for a level of rotating precision that is unprecedented for a timepiece designed to follow its wearer's movements. The watch also contains a 50-hour power reserve and is crafted in platinum. The Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2 contains over 371 parts and was specially created to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Jaeger-LeCoultre this year.

In addition to the efforts put forth through this initiative, Jaeger-LeCoultre has formalized its sustainable growth initiatives into a comprehensive working plan, called "Making Time More Beautiful." This Plan is in keeping with its founder's legacy of establishing a framework and infrastructure for sound growth at the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre since 1833. Over its 175 year history, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been one of the most respected employers in its home region of the Vallee de Joux, Switzerland, nurturing the development and future of great watchmaking skills, and operating its Manufacture in the cleanest environment. Additional substantive initiatives are to be implemented in the months ahead, including recycling and only using recyclable paper goods, a company transport system for employees and a number of carbon-offsetting measures.

ABOUT THE LEONARDO DICAPRIO FUND AT THE CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: Established in 1998, the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at the California Community Foundation has actively fostered awareness of environmental issues through participation with such organizations as Natural Resources Defense Council, Global Green USA, the International Fund For Animal Welfare, and National Geographic Kids, to name a few. In order to reach, inform and entertain a wider global audience about these issues, the environmental website www.leonardodicaprio.org was created. To this end, it supported the efforts made by the Dian Fossey Foundation, Reef Check, Oceana, Santa Monica's Heal The Bay, and the U'wa Defense Project. TreePeople and the Foundation, along with Tree Musketeers joined forces to promote the incorporation of trees into urban neighborhoods and also to help reforest the decimated Southern California mountains. Environment Now honored the Leonardo DiCaprio Fund at the California Community Foundation with its prestigious Martin Litton Environmental Warrior Award in 2003.

ABOUT JAEGER-LeCOULTRE: Since 1833, the Manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre has been at the forefront of fine Swiss watchmaking. Located in the Vallee de Joux, the cradle of high-watchmaking, Jaeger-LeCoultre has nurtured a culture of inventors who have taken the family business of founder Antoine LeCoultre to international recognition over its 175-year history. Featuring an unparalleled number of skills and crafts under a single roof, Jaeger-LeCoultre continues to produce timepieces that are innovative, elegant and refined. From the creation of the world's smallest mechanical movement, to the legendary swivel-case Reverso, Jaeger-LeCoultre is a rare manufacture with a vision and passion for the measurement of time.