On 19 February, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, Girard-Perregaux, together with the ASSC - Asia Society Southern California, paid tribute to legendary basketball star Yao Ming at the annual 2013 gala. Yao Ming has been called up eight times for the All Star Game with the Houston Rockets and has played on three Chinese Olympic teams. He is a sports ambassador for China, and in 2011 he became the founder and owner of Yao Family Wines, a company that distributes one of the best Napa Valley Cabernets in China and around the world. The athlete is famously dedicated to philanthropic initiatives, both through his foundation and through his partnership with Special Olympics and WildAid, which campaigns against the extinction of African sharks and elephants. During the evening, he received the 'Visionary of the Year' award from the Asia Society, while Girard-Perregaux paid tribute to him by presenting him with the Chrono Hawk Yao Ming, a special edition model. The watch is equipped with a self-winding chronograph movement encased in a 44 mm diameter steel case. This exclusive model features the Yao Ming symbol, printed in red on the rubber strap and sapphire crystal case back. Girard-Perregaux created only two examples of this watch: one intended for the athlete and another that was auctioned off during the evening for $16,000. "We are proud to honour Yao Ming, an emblematic NBA star," said Jean-Marc Bories, International Sales Director of Girard-Perregaux. "Ming represents the elite of world basketball and at the same time embodies the best side of humanity, through his important contribution to Special Olympics and WildAid.
