Swiss luxury watch company Audemars Piguet and Calif. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently held a press conference at the Beverly Hills Hotel to celebrate their eight-year partnership in the Arnold’s After-School All-Stars Foundation, founded by Schwarzenegger. The watchmaker marked the event with a $1.5 million check for the Foundation.

At the gala following the Feb. 13 press conference, four Audemars Piguet watches (each with the Seal of Governor of California) were auctioned, raising another $312,500 for the foundation, which provides after-school and summer programs that help kids across the country achieve success in school and life.

Joining Schwarzenegger and Francois Henry Bennahmias, president and chief executive officer of Audemars Piguet North America, were foundation executive directors Ana Compos and Ben Paul, wrestler/actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, actor Orlando Jones, Korean-American actor Rick Yune, former California Gov. Gray Davis, and children from the program.

Since 2000, Audemars Piguet has produced several iconic limited-edition timepieces for collectors, which raised millions of dollars and increased awareness ness of the charity. 

From left: Ben Paul, Francois Henry Bennahmias, Ana Campos, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

JCK