Luxury Swiss watch brand Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest continuing watchmaker, recently launched here its innovative Quai de l’Ile (pictured), the first watch with proprietary anti-counterfeiting and theft features, which can be customized for each customer.

To mark the occasion, the watchmaker sponsored a benefit in New York City for the Afghanistan World Foundation (providing humanitarian aid, including mobile medical units, hospitals, and schools, to Afghanistan). The event honored the achievements of writer Salman Rushdie, architect Richard Meier, and TV news anchor Charlie Rose. Marc Guten, international director of Vacheron Constantin and Julien Tornare, president of Vacheron Constantin North America, hosted the event. (Pictured are, from left, Guten, Meier, Rose, Rushdie and Tonnare).

Among the many celebrities, stars, and socialites attending were Grammy Award winner and R&B singer and producer Ne-Yo, who gave a live performance; Oscar Award winner Susan Sarandon; actors, Kate Bosworth, Lindsay Price, and Kim Raver; NBA champion Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics, and TV food critic and chef Katie Lee Joel.

JCK