Make a Donation - Win a Watch!

Leave it to the very, very kind folks at Tärnan!

Simple deal for all of the individuals out there who would like to participate in this year's Tempus Fugit Initiative -

Make a $25 donation to aid the Syrian refugees with humanitarian relief - food, water, medicine, and you will be placed in a draw to win not just any Tärnan watch - 

but serial number 1!

Here is the watch -

And if you're ready to lend some aid to people who need it, take $25 from your watch budget, or give up that afternoon coffee for one week ; )

And make your donation here:

https://www.mercycorps.org/people/tempus-fugit/syria

Then - send an email to me at:

henkitime (at) gmail (dot) com

with your name and email address so that I can cross match it to thedonations.

We will then have a raffle, and select a winner for this watch (and 

other prizes that are being donated as I write this).

A closing word - the goal here is to help people who need BASIC 

things - water, food, medicine.  

PERIOD.

I am in, the Lonville Watch Company is in, Wendy is in, and 

Georg of Germany is in.  And now the wonderful folks at Tärnan 

are in.

Who is with us?

Stakes is High - First Update - LONVILLE!

Courtesy of Lonville

And what can I say but THANK YOU Lonville!

And just like that, in less than 24 hours we have $1,100 in the pot, and $23,900 to go!

For those of you just tuning in, this year's Tempus Fugit Initiative is to raise $25,000 to aid those caught in the current humanitarian crisis due to the ongoing war in Syria.

Here is a link to the donation page -

https://www.mercycorps.org/people/tempus-fugit/syria

It's a pretty straight forward proposition - we are asking as many different watch and luxury companies to make whatever donation (as small or large) as they can.  As simple as that.  Any individuals wishing to participate, I am working on some prizes that individuals who donate can be eligible to win.  For last year's Tempus Fugit Initiative we had a beautiful Frederique Constant manufacture model that was generously donated and went to a lucky participant.  With luck we can have something pretty cool for this year too.  Updates to come - stay tuned!

Stakes is High - The Tempus Fugit Initiative for 2015

Shamelessly borrowed by De La Soul.

As things continue to spiral out of control in Syria and as the flood of displaced peoples continues its surge to Europe's shores it is hard to get too enthusiastic about luxury items at the moment.  Don't worry, we will still be writing, talking about and covering watches ; )

But having said that, we (that is ALL of US) have a crisis on our hands and we need to try and all step up and do something.

To that end, this year's Tempus Fugit Initiative is to raise funds to help those in need as they struggle to find safe haven and shelter to begin new lives.

Therefore, Tempus Fugit is asking every brand that is able to make some sort of donation to a charity that is working to aid those in need on the ground.  In this case, size does not matter!  

Individuals are encouraged to participate as well!

And because we need to put our money where our mouth is, Tempus Fugit has donated $500 US to get the ball rolling.

If you wish to participate, here is a link to the Tempus Fugit fundraising page:

https://www.mercycorps.org/people/tempus-fugit/syria

I thank you in advance for your consideration.

Henki

3thirty3 Brand Ambassadors!

Watch brands always have celebrity "friends" and 3thirty3 is no different!  

Allow me to introduce you to 3thirty3's official new ambassadors -

Peanut - Official Spokes-Elephant of the Tempus Fugit Initiative, and Samuel - Official Spokes-Rhino of the Tempus Fugit Initiative.  

Welcome to the 3thirty3 family!

Our crowdfunding campaign offers you the opportunity to pre-order/pre-purchase one of the first 3thirty3 Initiative watches - delivery anticipated early January.

http://www.gofundme.com/gav5ds

Peanut and Samuel's Choice - The 3thirty3 watch to support the conservation of endangered species and combat poaching.

Of course you might not be in the market for a new watch - but please visit the page to see what we are up to. REMEMBER - 33% of every watch purchased goes to charitable causes!

Tempus Fugit Initiative Update!

AND BIG UPS to 33 Jewels for Joining the Tempus Fugit Initiative!

We're getting there folks, we're getting there!

Keep Moving!

Okay Pals and Gals!

The Tempus Fugit Initiative is starting to pick up some steam and we are moving forward!  In honor of every one's great support, I borrowed this from "Skeletor is Love"!

Courtesy of Skeletor is Love

We are closing in on our first watch giveaway  -

You have a few more days left to win this amazing watch -

So if you have not done so already - and you have $50 that you can spare, why don't you join up with the rest of us and commit two to three weeks' worth of Starbucks drinks towards helping the IAPF's brave men and women help defend and protect endangered rhinos and elephants?

GO HERE:

IAPF

DONATE $50

Write in the notes:
TEMPUS FUGIT INITIATIVE

FEEL GOOD ABOUT YOURSELF - and share Skeletor's message!

The Tempus Fugit Initiative Reminder

Just a reminder pals and gals -

this year's Tempus Fugit Initiative will run through the end of December - so there is still plenty of time for all of you brand owners and managers to join us!  The International Anti-Poaching Foundation is putting their lives on the line EVERY DAY to save endangered species such as elephants and rhinos.

A big shout out and WELL DONE to:

Girard-Perregaux, JEANRICHARD, Graham (USA), Arnold & Son (USA), Tigerlilly Skye, Ball Watch USA, Frederique Constant, Angular Momentum, GoS, the Chinese Timekeeper, Ressence, Arcadia, Cuervo y Sobrinos, Nivrel, Aquadive, ISOfrane, Marvin, Bell & Ross, Glycine, Eterna and on and on!

Join us!

Crickets so far from LVMH, Richemont and SWATCH group, but even the Grinch found his heart in the end, so let's hope all of the "Whos down in Whoville" will be heard by the mighty titans of Switzerland between their prawn cocktails and champagne ; )

To be very clear - this is meant as a friendly - NOT MEAN SPIRITED nudge - I mean no offense, but if I at least even made you think A LITTLE about participating - even if you work for a brand that is not participating - but I encouraged you enough so that you would donate even $10 on your own as an individual…  then it was worth it ; )

What If? A Ball Watch USA Update!

Thought we were finished?  No, we're just getting started!

I am EXTREMELY happy to report that Ball Watch USA has joined our ever-growing band of brothers and sisters in the Tempus Fugit Initiative to fund the efforts of the IAPF!

THANK YOU Ball Watch USA!

What If? A Nivrel Update!

And joining our ever-growing band of brothers and sisters - NIVREL!

I have to be very honest, so many people came in during BaselWorld that I will need a few days to do a "reconciliation" and name everyone who is now in ; )

Sort of a nice problem to have!

THANK YOU NIVREL!!!

And because I won't stop until, well, NEVER -

What if?

Dear watch companies,

What if?

What if each one of you could take even $5,000 from your annual budgets and donate it to a common cause?  What if the mighty SWATCH, Richemont, LVMH, ROLEX, Sowind, Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Ulysse Nardin… what if you all came together with a reasonable contribution with the sole goal of trying to fix an "unfixable" problem?

What if 100 watch companies in the world each contributed $5,000 - or more - to fund rangers to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers?  What if based on that, we could then go to people with even more money?  What if your KINDNESS and willingness to do something that was totally selfless then triggered people like Phil Knight of Nike, or Oprah Winfrey, or Bill Gates - I mean, let's aim high here!  What if that all got so much money - and so much attention, that it would be better financially for a father to become a ranger, rather than to become a poacher?  

And what if that action, created a groundswell in China and Vietnam to help people understand that maybe, just maybe the preservation of a species is more valuable than a dubious aphrodisiac?

So, let's name some names - Biver, Hayek, Hoffmann, Sofisti (THANK YOU!), Stern, Marini, Raffi, Stas and all the rest of you -

Are you really interested in doing something great - or is it just talk and PR?  

What am I asking for?  $5,000 if you have it - for some of you big brands, that is WAY less than you spend on a month of advertising.  And as the saying goes, if you can't afford $5,000, give what you can!

Do you really want to make a mark in the world and not just talk about it?  Here is a chance to do it!

Who is in?

What If? A Bell & Ross Update!

Yes, you read that correctly!  Bell & Ross has joined the Tempus Fugit Initiative!!!

Peanut (the official "spokes elephant") is modeling one of Bell & Ross's finest!

Thank you Bell & Ross!!!

What If? - ETERNA UPDATE!

And the cause has been joined!  Very happy to announce that ETERNA has joined the Tempus Fugit Initiative!

Starting to lose count, but let's do a re-cap:

Girard-Perregaux, JEANRICHARD, A. Manzoni & Fils, Kobold, Aquadive, ISOfrane, Xetum, Jardur, Gavox, the Oberlin Pen Company, SAVOY, Ressence, Marvin, the Chinese Timekeeper, Tigerlily Skye, GoS Watches, Catherine Jones of Cambridge, Glycine, A. Favre & Fils, Tiret, DuBois et fils, Cuervo y Sobrinos and ETERNA!

I believe that makes 22!

And the Winner is...

Well, Edelberg have done it again with another great Writing Wrongs award - this year's winner was Marc Alfieri for his work on the Polio Watch.

I had the good fortune to bump into him and this year's guest speaker for the Writing Wrongs award, fellow blogger Max Reddick yesterday.

Needless to say, I think he likes the pen ; )

Bravo Carlo, Samuel, Max - and in particular Marc!

So the only question is, who will be next year's winner?

What If? Oh YES! Update # 13!

So it would seem that Peanut (the official "spokes elephant" of the Tempus Fugit Initiative) is also the best at "photo-bombing" here at a BaselWorld.  A HUGE Thank you to Cuervo y Sobrinos for joining the Tempus Fugit Initiative!  And needless to say, it would appear that there is DEEP SUPPORT!  And Peanut has confided that he is indeed, a Cuervo y Sobrinos Fan as you can see ; )

Muchos Gracias Cuervo y Sobrinos!

What If - Fifth Update

And add:

Jardur, Gavox and the Oberlin Pen Company to the list!

And because I could do this all night and all day -

What if?

Dear watch companies,

What if?

What if each one of you could take even $5,000 from your annual budgets and donate it to a common cause?  What if the mighty SWATCH, Richemont, LVMH, ROLEX, Sowind, Audemars Piguet, Patek Phillipe, Ulysse Nardin… what if you all came together with a reasonable contribution with the sole goal of trying to fix an "unfixable" problem?

What if 100 watch companies in the world each contributed $5,000 - or more - to fund rangers to protect elephants and rhinos from poachers?  What if based on that, we could then go to people with even more money?  What if your KINDNESS and willingness to do something that was totally selfless then triggered people like Phil Knight of Nike, or Oprah Winfrey, or Bill Gates - I mean, let's aim high here!  What if that all got so much money - and so much attention, that it would be better financially for a father to become a ranger, rather than to become a poacher?  

And what if that action, created a groundswell in China and Vietnam to help people understand that maybe, just maybe the preservation of a species is more valuable than a dubious aphrodisiac?

So, let's name some names - Biver, Hayek, Hoffmann, Sofisti (THANK YOU!), Stern, Marini, Raffi, Stas and all the rest of you -

Are you really interested in doing something great - or is it just talk and PR?  

What am I asking for?  $5,000 if you have it - for some of you big brands, that is WAY less than you spend on a month of advertising.  And as the saying goes, if you can't afford $5,000, give what you can!

Do you really want to make a mark in the world and not just talk about it?  Here is a chance to do it!

Who is in?

An Open Letter to the Watch Industry Executives

Dear Watch Industry Executives,

I write this letter tonight from Lucerne, Switzerland to inform you of the third phase of the Tempus Fugit Initiative.  The first phase is the Edelberg Writing Wrongs award which was presented this past Thursday to Fonderie 47.

The second phase is a partnership with a wonderful watch brand and a very worthy charitable organization which I will give more background on in the coming days.  

But to quote my old grand dad - sometimes you have to put your fear of failure to one side, and dare to try and move the world (even in a small way) so here is my best effort:

Let's work together to end human trafficking.  And believe it or not, my request to you is small in terms of your commitment.  I am challenging every watch brand out there who feels that they can afford it, to select one model or product family, and commit 1% of the profits from the sales as a donation to a foundation to fight human trafficking.  Now, I know what you're thinking - WIFM?  (or as we used to say at Starbucks, What's in it for me?")  Well, to be honest, it is the chance to do something good for people who are helpless.  And maybe I need to put this more starkly -  what if it was your daughter or son?  Does it seem important to you now?

Now, having walked around BaselWorld and seeing the sheer scale of spending... no offense, you can afford it, and there is still an upside - charitable contributions help your tax situation ; )

I'm all in - who is with me?

You know where to reach me.

Sincerely,

James Henderson
Chief Messenger
Tempus Fugit Media

The Tempus Fugit Initiative - Time to Say Thank You!

I am very, very excited to announce the creation of an annual award to recognize REAL charitable work and efforts put forth by people in the watch industry.

The first (annual!) Tempus Fugit Initiative award will be presented at this year's BaselWorld!

Details to follow in the coming days - stay tuned!

An Open Letter to the Watch Industry

Giving - it fascinates me that in so many advertisements, and in so many press releases luxury brands (including the watch industry) talk about giving.  Some of this giving is genuine with charitable donations to worthy causes.  Some of it is a bit cynical, and frankly shouldn't really be confused with charitable giving at all.  A watch to honor a wealthy athlete or celebrity's successful career is frankly a marketing exercise.  And by the way, there is nothing wrong with marketing.  That is how you get the word out.  But when I took some time last night and reviewed ALL of the press releases I received over the past two and a half years, it was astonishing how much of this giving was really PR directed at the already affluent:

Recognizing Hollywood Icons - does Hollywood REALLY NEED more money?
The Bolshoi Theatre - very beautiful and historic building - but you can't eat it, and it doesn't treat illness or teach reading, writing, etc.
Professional Athletes - particularly golfers?!?  Two words - Tiger Woods.

And again, I don't want to mislead anyone here, I am all for a good marketing campaign - but what I am still waiting to see is a prolonged effort on the part of a brand to not simply give a watch away to the great or near great - but to actually commit to helping people who really need help.  Watch companies are not in the business of doing good - and that is more than fair.  But the business that they do can help them do good.

Let's be honest - poor, homeless, out of work people aren't sexy.  I suspect that they do not sell a lot of watches, designer clothing or fountain pens.  But particularly in these uncertain times, it is not unlikely that those of you reading this blog have either been out of work in the past, currently are out of work, or will be unemployed in the future.

What if it were you?  It's hard to imagine Marc Hayek out on the street begging for spare change, isn't it?  I used to think that going to university and working hard would take care of me no matter what.  That was until I ran into an old friend from the University of Oregon asking me for spare change.  For the record he has an MBA and had been very successful for the first ten years of his career. 

So this is my idea - and maybe it won't go anywhere, but I think it's worth a shot:

The Tempus Fugit Initiative

I am challenging every brand out there to find a charitable organization to partner with - be it homeless, unemployed, sick or those unable to afford to go to school.  Put your money - or at least your product - where your mouth is.  Whether it is an auction, a watch sold with a small percentage of proceeds to be donated to the charity, or even cash - I feel confident that the SWATCH group could spare a few thousand at least... but do SOMETHING!  It could be as simple as donating a watch to an auction - and given the number of watches some of these companies give out in the name of promotion - one watch donated to the right group could make a huge impact.

Don't just make a gesture - make a difference!  Partner with an organization that is trying to help people help themselves.  Get your retail partners and your customers involved - believe it or not, people do like to give!  Need some help with ideas and connecting with a deserving group?  Give me a call, I'd be glad to help.

And I am very happy to say that there is already a brand that will be participating in just such an endeavor in the not-too-distant future.  More to be revealed right here!  And to that brand I say THANK YOU!