Bulgari

Paris, September 3^rd  2011 - One week ahead of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, the international rugby community gathered in Paris on Friday 2 September for an exclusive auction that raised €53,220 (NZ$ 90,000) for the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.

Paris auction raises €53,220 for Christchurch Earthquake Appeal

The Bulgari Endurer Chronosprint All Blacks Unique piece fetched € 24'000

The event took place at the prestigious Royal Monceau Hotel in the presence of the New Zealand Ambassador to France, Rosemary Banks, who expressed her appreciation of the fundraising effort. "It is heart warming to see that Christchurch hasn't been forgotten and I would like to warmly thank our friends for their support tonight."

The star item of the auction was a unique "Bvlgari Chronosprint Endurer All Blacks" watch from the special series created in partnership with the legendary New Zealand rugby team. The unique watch, engraved with the date of the earthquake that devastated Christchurch in February this year, fetched €24,000. The successful bidder was the Qatar Group GSSG.

Most of the items on auction were linked to rugby past and present, including signed jerseys, a century old rugby ball and modern art, and went under the expert hammer of Arnaud Oliveux of the Parisian auction house Artcurial-Briest-Poulain-F.Tajan.

The charity auction "Rugby Nations Uniting for Christchurch" was organised by Avenport Investment Group in collaboration with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU). The full proceeds of the auction are to be donated to the New Zealand Government's Earthquake Appeal Fund for Christchurch.

The catalogue and results of the auction can be seen at: www.020911.com

Press Release