Last night Susan and David Rockefeller and Swiss luxury watchmaker Girard-Perregaux joined forces with Nile Rodgers for the “Changing Watch” event supporting We Are Family Foundation. 

The evening began with a cocktail hour at Cipriani 42^nd St. displaying select Girard-Perregaux timepieces. Of particular distinction being the revolutionary new Constant Escapement. Industry powerhouses from the worlds of watchmaking, fashion, music, sport, and philanthropy mingled together under Renaissance inspired high vaulted ceilings and gorgeous chandeliers. Guests attending included socialite and activist Amanda Hearst, star of The Real Housewives of NY Kelly Bensimon, Million Dollar Listing NY star Ryan Serhant, model & activist Almudena Fernandez, Italian actress Jo Champa and more.

A jovial spirit pervaded the attendees as they took their seats to dinner in the Cipriani Ballroom while Susan and David Rockefeller introduced their new Protect What is Precious initiative and spoke of their philanthropic goals. They featured their new video “Take Time”, which speaks to seeing the world’s beauty and protecting its fragility. Michele Sofisti, CEO of Sowind (Girard-Perregaux and JEANRICHARD) also took to the stage, where he presented Susan and David and Nile Rodgers with a special Mission of Mermaids (MoM) timepiece in honor of their constant work and dedication to support We Are Family Foundation.

“Susan, David and Nile are like guardian angels”, said Michele. “Encouraging others to follow in the right steps to make Planet Earth a special place”.

“Changing Watch was a special evening with the powers of music, watchmaking and a new generation uniting to support the great cause of We Are Family Foundation”, said Susan Rockefeller. “Hopefully this will encourage other to join the fight and make a difference”. 

“Helping the world by empowering our youth is a big responsibility but one that inspires me everyday”, said Nile Rodgers. “The work that Susan, David, Girard-Perregaux and We Are Family Foundation have done tonight with Changing Watch is a living example of what can be accomplished working together”

Ensuing the presentation, young teen leader Dylan Vecchione of ReefQuest presented a video of his work and recognized other young teen leaders from around the globe in attendance who are taking a stand to protect their world.

The accompanying charity auction was amiably competitive with auction items consisting of one MoM men’s special edition watch designed in collaboration with Susan Rockefeller and “Pamper Yourself” experience courtesy of Girard-Perregaux, a week-long stay for eight at the Amanyara Resort on the Turks & Caicos Islands, a one-of-a-kind Susan Rockefeller for Honora pearl necklace and a dinner at Blue Hill with Susan, David, and Nile, along with a tour of Stone Barns; a private hour long guitar lesson with Nile Rodgers in his studio, and Fender’s new special edition Nile Rodgers’ “Hitmaker” guitar. 

Before the charity auction Nile Rodgers gave a special conversational performance on music and creativity that segued into a DJ set by Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, celebrating Nile’s iconic career and the disco era. Attendees danced the night away under the lofty 65-foot marble columns of the impeccable Ballroom.  Q-tip was also joined by Gary Bencheghib, a teen leader based in Bali, who raises awareness about ocean health through DJing.