At a recent charity event at the New York Four Seasons Hotel, rap mogul and philanthropist Jay-Z sat front row at the live, invitation-only auction conducted by Christie’s. His donation included an autographed Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Las Vegas Strip watch and a signed poster from the Broadway musical Fela!. They sold as a package for nearly $220,000 after he joked that he would “throw in a frame” for the highest bidder. There are reports that Jay-Z had a hard time parting with the jewelry. 
“Time to Give” is a historic collaboration between renowned Swiss watchmaker Audemars Piguet and the Tony Awards. Each watch is a one-of-a-kind creation featuring a celebrity’s signature visibly recreated on the back or side of the timepiece making them highly collectible by watch aficionados and celeb fans alike. The proceeds benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA), which has granted awards to organizations like National AIDS Education and Services for Minorities (NAESM) and the Black AIDS Institute. According to the CDC, African Americans continue to account for nearly 50 percent of the new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. BC/EFA is one of the nation’s largest HIV/AIDS-related foundations, granting approximately $6 million annually and over $92 million dollars since 1987.
Actresses and Tony Award winners Whoopi Goldberg and Anika Noni Rose have lent their signature as well to Audemars Piguet for this worthy cause. Currently up for bid on charitybuzz.com, are Goldberg’s Lady Royal Oak Offshore and Rose’s Lady Millenary watches. Goldberg shares why she supports the efforts the grant-making organization, “Broadway allows you to see everything in the world without ever leaving the city.” 
In light of Jay-Z feeling a sentimental connection to the watch he designed, it raises the question, how willing is the average, non-celebrity to give up material possessions to support a cause he champions? Allow Jay-Z’s altruism to be a shining example for all of us to follow. Celebrity is bigger than walking red carpets, posing for paparazzi and gracing magazine covers. It’s about being selfless and doing good without expecting a reward in return. –yvette caslin
Audemars Piguet Lady Millenary Signed by Anika Noni Rose [Lady Millenary, selfwinding watch with center seconds. Stainless steel case featuring bezel set with 66 diamonds (~0.62 carats) and AP folding clasp; Watch size: 39.5mm. Water-resistant to 20 meters.] –Photo Credit: Andrew Macpherson
Audemars Piguet Lady Royal Oak Offshore signed by Whoopi Goldberg [Lady Royal Oak Offshore, selfwinding chronograph with date display and small seconds at 6 o’clock. Stainless steel case featuring bezel set with 32 diamonds (~1.25 carats). Rubber strap with AP folding clasp; Watch size: 37mm. Water-resistant to 50 meters.] –Photo Credit: Timothy White
