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Swiss watchmaker Baume et Mercier continued their support of the Love146 Foundation’s mission to end human trafficking with a charity benefit on Dec. 1 in New York City.

Baume et Mercier has long-standing ties to Love146. Rudy Chavez, President of Baume et Mercier North America, also serves as chairman of the board of Love146. He served as a representative of both organizations at the event. Love146 was founded in 2002 to end sex trafficking and child exploitation around the world. Since then, they have been instrumental in raising awareness, educating children and supporting survivors.

Baume et Mercier’s 2011 Winter Seaside Celebration was held at the luxury watch emporium Tourneau Time Machine in Manhattan on Dec, 1, 2011. Watches were displayed from several prominent luxury brands, including Rolex, Cartier and Patek Philippe. Special edition Baume et Mercier watches, emblazoned with the Love146 logo on the reverse side of the case, were auctioned to benefit the foundation and its efforts.

In partnership with the Love146 foundation, Baume et Mercier commissioned a feature by Pulitzer Prize winning photojournalist Carolyn Cole, currently of the Los Angeles Times. Baume et Mercier sent Cole into Southeast Asia to complete a piece to raise awareness for child trafficking. Her powerful photographs shed light on the crisis of sex trafficking and give fresh importance to the mission of Love146 and other international organizations working to end human exploitation. Cole’s 2008 “Into the Light” photojournalist exhibit was displayed at the Tourneau Time Machine for a limited time following the event.

In attendence at the private event were Baume et Mercier CEO Alain Zimmermann, Tourneau CEO James Seuss and Canadian actress and Love146 supporter Emmanuelle Chriqui. Guests at the Winter Seaside Celebration were entertained with musical performances by The Broadway Dolls, British singer Abigail Zsiga and Love146 co-founder Lamont Hiebert.

At the event, Zimmermann and Seuss presented Love146 with a donation check for $25,000 as a pledge of their ongoing support. “For Baume et Mercier, life is about moments and we’re honored to support Love146′s mission to restore hope to those in a time of need, ” Rudy Chavez said, “I look forward to continuing to shed light on this worthwhile cause.”

Baume et Mercier has a strong bond with Love146 and has hosted several different charity events to benefit the foundation’s efforts. Among them, the 2010 Baume et Mercier charity shopping event offered discounted watches for Valentine’s Day with proceeds going to Love146′s Aftercare Program in the Philippines.