Gwyneth Paltrow and Swiss watchmaker Frederique Constant are supporting DonorsChoose with a new international charity advertising campaign.
During the shoot, Gwyneth gave an exclusive interview, and wore the new Classics Delight Automatic watch which features a jewel automatic movement – and of which a portion of the sale price will contribute to support the DonorsChoose association.
Frederique Constant’s motto is “Live your passion”. Do you adopt this slogan also in your life? Or what is yours?
Gwyneth: I am an absolute believer in living one’s passion. I feel incredibly fortunate that my work has always stemmed out of passion and continues to do so.
Describe your first watch, who bought it, where you wore it and any memories you have it?
Gwyneth: My first watch was a Swatch watch. It was the 80’s and they were a massive trend. I was given a blue swatch by my parents for Christmas in 1984 and I was so thrilled! I thought it was the coolest thing I had ever owned.
How does time affect your life? For what activity can you always spare 10 minutes and for what activity do you never seem to have the time?
Gwyneth: Like almost everyone I know in the world today, there never seems to be enough time to achieve all that we are meant to achieve on any given day. Time with my children provides the very best ROI for everyone involved, so I make sure to keep the same routine every week day so I never miss my time with them. I never seem to have a spare 10 minutes these days, but I meditate when I can.
Your involvement with Frederique Constant is driven by your passion for charity. What is your first memory of being involved with a charity and did it set the tone for your adult life?
Gwyneth: I grew up very involved in my community efforts to feed people with very little resources. I both prepared and served food both in California and NYC in soup kitchens. My mother always instilled in me a sense of responsibility to the society at large, and having the experience of working closely with populations who were struggling definitely engaged my empathy, my anger at the systemic problems, and my passion to be involved.
What causes are you most passionate about? Do you feel that there are any that are often overlooked and in greater need of public attention?
Gwyneth: I can become very passionate about every single cause on the planet, GMO labeling, Clean water, Global warming, starvation; I could go on and on. I feel that education is power and that so many of our issues will be addressed if we have an education system in place that bolsters critical thought and passion in our next generations.
One of the best things about a fine timepiece is that it lasts in value – not only monetarily but also in sentimentality as an heirloom that is passed down through generations. What heirlooms were passed down to you, and what do you hope to pass down to your kids?
Gwyneth: My father’s wedding ring is my most precious heirloom. I will never take it off.
Visit www.donorschoose.org/intro to hear Oprah Winfrey and Stephen Colbert tell the DonorsChoose.org story.
