Written by: Holly Troupe

NBA superstar and Audemars Piguet ambassador LeBron James, singer Celine Dion and Audemars Piguet CEO Francois-Henry Bennahmias at the Miami charity auction for the Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute

Miami Heat forward and two-time NBA MVP LeBron James joined Celine Dion and Audemars Piguet CEO Francois-Henry Bennahmias at an event to aid the Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute. Audemars Piguet became Official Timekeeper for Baptist Hospital in March of 2011, in recognition of the storied watchmaker’s five year partnership with the Baptist Hospital Foundation, which is the humanitarian branch of the Baptist Hospital.

The evening began with a concert given by Dion, which was a gift from the singer in honor of the hospital’s work in saving the life of her husband Rene Angelil. The concert was followed by an auction of a Jules Audemars Chronograph Tourbillon watch. LeBron James, who was named Audemars Piguet global ambassador in April 2011, went on to auction two of his floor seats to a Miami Heat vs. Celtics game. The auction of the luxury items netted nearly $500,000 towards the planned expansion of Miami’s Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute.

The Jules Audemars Chronograph Tourbillon, auctioned for the benefit of the expansion of the Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute

The Jules Audemars Chronograph Tourbillon is a 43mm timepiece with manually wound 2889 caliber movement with 70 hour power reserve. The case back is translucent sapphire, and the piece contains 335 parts, 286 of which are hand-finished.

The Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute founder and medical director Dr. Barry Katzen, who had been working on non-invasive arterial procedures, lead the medical team that treated Angelil in 2009. Because Angelil was not a candidate for surgery, his team of doctors investigated alternative approaches. “They had heard about [Dr. Katzen’s] work with non-invasive treatments,” Angelil said. “They basically told me he was the best person to take care of me.” The expansion of the institute will include a Center for Advanced Endovascular and Structural Heart Therapy and a national Center for Aneurysm Therapy, in addition to other specialized treatment centers. The concert and the auction, which took place at The Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, raised $6 million for the expansion. Said Audemars Piguet CEO Francois-Henry Bennahmias, “We have developed significant relationships in South Florida and as our way of saying thank you are honored to support the work of Baptist Hospital, which does so much good in this community.”

Brand ambassador LeBron James will collaborate with Audemars Piguet on a planned limited edition timepiece in recognition of their partnership. A portion of the proceeds from future auctions of the watch will go to the LeBron James Family Foundation, a charity founded for the purpose of creating initiatives to strengthen the cultural and economic foundations of single-parent households. Says Bennahmias,“We have a history of partnering with those at the top of their game and right now, LeBron is like a comet. Not only does he burn up the court, but he maintains the right balance of family, philanthropy and fame.”