HUBLOT King Power F1™

Saturday 13th March, 2010: Formula One Paddock, 2010 FORMULA 1 GULF AIR BAHRAIN GRAND PRIX.

Luxury Swiss watch brand Hublot is proud to announce that it has been appointed the Official Watchmaker of Formula 1™ and as part of this multi-year agreement will produce a range of high tech, limited edition, luxury Formula 1™ watches and exploit the additional designation Hublot – The Official Watch of Formula 1™ on an exclusive and global basis.

Hublot is delighted to have elevated itself to an unassailable position in Formula One motor racing by securing an agreement with the iconic brand itself. Formula 1™ epitomises cutting-edge technology, high performance, precision and international sporting glamour and this globally revered brand will now inspire a new generation of fabulous Hublot timepieces.

Hublot is to initially mark its presence with the creation of a special watch in the form of the F1™ King, a restricted production run of a King Power model incorporating the famous F1™ logo in white gold, as well as a further Limited Edition Series in the colours and style of the most prestigious Grands Prix. A Hublot boutique will present its collections in the Formula One Paddock Club™ at several events and the company will run a guest hospitality programme throughout the F1™ season. The series of watches dedicated to Formula 1™ will be directly inspired by the world of F1™, combining the finest know-how and manufacturing processes at the cutting edge of research and high tech materials.

Jean-Claude Biver and Bernie Ecclestone

Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula One group: “I have long had a keen interest in watches and the art of watchmaking and I am very pleased to be announcing this deal today. Hublot’s meteoric rise in the industry has been a very well managed achievement and I would like to congratulate Jean-Claude for this. There is an energy, creativity and dedication to perfection about Hublot which sits very well with us and I could not think of a better brand with which to begin a new chapter in Formula One’s enduring association with luxury watches”.

About Hublot – The exclusive story of Fusion.

In 2004, Jean-Claude Biver – one of those rare men who have genuinely left their mark on Swiss watchmaking – achieved a new tremendous success bringing revolution in watchmaking.

Working on its growth and future, he developed with the company the “Art of Fusion”, the way of thinking and creation at Hublot : combining unexpected materials (ceramic, carbon, tantalum, tungsten, titanium, magnesium …) with precious and conventional materials, employing the most cutting-edge technologies, while still remaining true to the watchmaking know-how of our ancestors.

For more information on Hublot visit Hublot.ch

About Formula One™

Formula One™, which began in 1950, is the world’s most prestigious motor racing competition and is the world’s most popular annual sporting series. In 2009 it was watched by over 520 million unique television viewers from 188 territories.The 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship™ runs from March to November and spans 19 races in 18 countries across five continents.

Formula One Administration Limited, a subsidiary of the Formula One group, was founded by CEO Bernie Ecclestone and holds the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™.

For more information on Formula One™ visit Formula1.com.

Hublot BODE BANG

The partnership between the watchmaker and Miller began in November 2008 and in December 2009 Hublot debuted the “Bode Bang” limited edition watch designed by Bode together with the Hublot design team.

Miller visited the manufacturer’s facility and was fascinated by the know-how and meticulousness of the watchmakers and he set out to craft his own watch. His meeting with Jean-Claude Biver, the CEO of Hublot, led to an immediate mutual understanding. Both passionate, direct men with an expressive and unconventional manner of speech, they quickly found a host of shared values.

The talented, feisty and determined skier, and the inventive, exceptionally energetic boss both demonstrate great generosity through their involvement in supporting humanitarian causes. The creation of the Bode Bang is the fruit of this bond. Together, they decided to divert some of the watch’s royalties to the Turtle Ridge Foundation, founded by Bode Miller and his family in 2005 (www.turtleridgefoundation.org) to support those less fortunate in life, an ambition equally dear to Jean-Claude Biver.

“BODE BANG” Technical Specifications

Case
“Big Bang” diameter 44.5 mm in sandblasted black ceramic

Bezel 
Sandblasted black ceramic with 6 H-shaped steel black PVD screws, sunken, polished and blocked

Crystal
Sapphire with anti-reflection treatment and Bode Miller’s signature at 9 o’clock

Bezel lug
Black composite resin

Lateral inserts
Black composite resin

Back 
Sandblasted black ceramic with sapphire crystal

Crown
Steel black PVD, with natural black rubber insert

Push-pieces
Steel black PVD, rectangular, with natural black rubber insert

Water-resistance
100 m or 10 ATM

Dial
White with black nickel applique indices and numerals

Hands 
Faceted matt black

Movement
HUB4100 Mechanical chronograph with automatic winding

Calendar 
Trapezoid aperture at 4.30, white background, shiny black numeral

Power Reserve
42 hours

Strap
Adjustable black rubber with clasp in steel black PVD

Clasp
Steel black PVD

Limited Edition
250 numbered pieces 01/250 – 250/250

Source: www.hublot.com

Hublot Big Bang Maradona

The watchmaking brand has just signed a partnership with Argentine footballer Diego Maradona. Argentina’s current national team coach is also known as the “player of the 20th century” in honour of his exceptional career which has left its mark on the history of world football. This genius on the pitch, who has always demonstrated his taste for fine watches, is now part of the Hublot family. And from today, it will be a Big Bang Maradona that can be seen on the wrist of the “Hand of God”!

There is no end to the names used to honour Diego Maradona: the “Golden Boy”, who received the Ballon d’Or in 1995 for services to football, has had an extraordinary career due to his unique footballing talent. A watch enthusiast, he is often seen with a Hublot on each wrist.

The meeting between this truly remarkable footballer and the Swiss brand’s management team naturally arose from the mutual desire to create a watch honouring Maradona and bearing his name. Today, Hublot and Maradona, each recognized as an icon in their field, will link their careers, both marked by passion, excellence and success. This alliance is illustrated by a stylized image of Diego Maradona, arms raised in victory, engraved on the back of the Big Bang Maradona’s case.

Hublot Big Bang Maradona

Beatrice de Quervain Blanchard

Born in Switzerland, de Quervain Blanchard studied economics at the University of Zurich and attended Sup de Luxe in Paris to gain additional luxury goods experience. In 1993 she started her career in the Swiss watch industry by working with Jean Claude Biver at the iconic brand Omega, where she worked her way through the various stages of Product and Marketing to oversee the U.S. Marketing Division. In 1999 she joined Chopard as its first Marketing Director and was instrumental in gaining brand awareness in the brand’s watch and jewelry divisions. In 2001 she created her own distribution company before joining Harry Winston in 2004. At Harry Winston she was brought on board to oversee its luxury timepiece sales division on the East Coast and in select Caribbean markets, and in 2007 was promoted to global marketing director to head its communications initiatives.

At Hublot, Beatrice de Quervain Blanchard will focus on gaining market share through a diverse marketing program that will include the opening of new boutique stores, a strong wholesale network and newsworthy communications initiatives. “I am very excited to join such a formidable brand as Hublot,” says de Quervain. “I have worked with Mr. Biver and Mr. Guadalupe before, and I am greatly looking forward to fusing our minds together to increase the brand’s presence in the U.S. market.”

HUBLOT Gold King Power Tourbillon GMT

About Hublot

In just five years, Hublot has become one of the most sought-after high-end watch brands with some of its timepieces making watch history, such as the One Million Dollar Big Bang, All Black Big Bang and Mag Bang watches. Jean-Claude Biver and his team is undoubtedly leading the company’s guiding principle of “Fusion,” which combines unusual materials such as gold with ceramic, tantalum, magnesium and titanium with a modern version of Hublot’s rubber strap.

Source: www.hublot.ch

Big Bang - Speak & Spell

Depeche Mode and Hublot launch the auction of the most exclusive collector’s pieces in the history of Rock and Roll with all proceeds donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Bidding begins February 8th and terminates February 24th

Twelve unique timepieces bearing the album artwork of Depeche Mode’s legendary studio albums will be sold via an online auction with all proceeds from the sale going to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Now online, the auction site can be accessed directly from:

www.hublot.com
www.depechemode.com
www.teenagecancertrust.org

On February 17th Depeche Mode will open the 10th season of concerts organised by the charity Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT) at the Royal Albert Hall in London with The Horrors announced as their special guests.

On this occasion, and in support of this cause, Depeche Mode and Hublot have joined forces to produce twelve exclusive boxed sets. Inside these exquisitely designed presentation boxes, fans of Depeche Mode will find a treasure chest of exclusive materials chosen by the band.

Big Bang - Sounds of the Universe

Each box contains:

• A deluxe vinyl version of the album
• A USB Key containing a digital edition of the album and documentary about the making of the album
• An original album artwork print and a framed gold CD.
• In addition each box will boast a photograph signed by all members of the group who contributed to the album including Vince Clarke and Alan Wilder.

Together, Geneva based auction house Patrizzi & Co and Liveauctioneers.com have graciously donated both their time and energy to this noble cause, in providing the most secure state of the art, online auction system coupled with an unparalleled global auction service and expertise.

All proceeds from this unique auction, which closes on February 24th will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust on February 26th at the penultimate concert of Depeche Mode’s ‘Sounds of The Universe Tour’ in Dusseldorf.

For more information about the Teenage Cancer Trust, visit their official website www.teenagecancertrust.org

Hublot Big Bang Bode Miller

Hublot has today announced its partnership with the Alpine ski world championships and the Nordic ski world championships in 2011. The watch brand is reinforcing its involvement with the world of skiing. Already partnered with the enfant terrible of skiing, the American Bode Miller, Hublot is also sponsoring Dario Cologna, the best Swiss cross-country skier ever.

Hublot Official Alpine ski and Nordic ski timekeeper

Hublot is reinforcing its image as a prestigious sports brand by signing a partnership with the World ski championships, for both the Alpine and Nordic ski disciplines. The title of “Official Timekeeper” now belongs to the Swiss watch brand, which will count the minutes and seconds on small screens during the competitions. Hublot will be at Garmisch-Partenkirchen from 7th to 20th February 2011 for the Alpine world ski championships, and in Oslo from 24th February to 6th March for the Nordic world ski championships. The Swiss watch manufacturer has also agreed to provide this role at the 2013 championships, which will take place in Austria and Italy respectively.

Hublot’s connection to the skiing world is nothing new. With the champion Bode Miller as a prestigious ambassador for the brand, a limited edition chronograph in the skier’s name was launched in December. Hublot is proud of Bode’s victory in the super-combined race last week in Wengen!

Big Bang Bode Miller

The American skier was fascinated by the expertise of the watchmakers when he visited the Hublot manufacture. He set out to craft his own watch, a black ceramic chronograph which a white dial bearing his signature at 9 o’clock. A percentage of the sales from this watch will go to the Turtle Ridge Foundation set up by Bode Miller and his family.

Dario Cologna

Hublot’s new ambassador, the Swiss cross-country skier Dario Cologna, has every chance of reaching the podium at the next Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Dario had a fantastic year in 2009, winning the “Tour de ski” -he is the first Swiss skier to claim this victory -and the overall ranking for the World Cup. This promising young cross-country skier will be Hublot’s ambassador at the Nordic Ski World Championships in 2011.

HUBLOT Gold King Power Tourbillon GMT

The gold color of this watch is completely unique. It is the result of a newly developed, rarefied alloy made especially for this timepiece. The alloy is known as “King Gold”, and is obtained primarily by adding 5% platinum, distinguishing it from all other currently known alloys and making it all the more precious. The delicacy of its microstructure ensures that the alloy is perfectly stable, which means durable quality and a long-lasting intense red color. Its enduring, intense red and toughness create a unique aesthetic.

Technical Specifications

Case
“King Power” 48 mm diameter in “King Gold”

Bezel
Microblasted black ceramic with moulded black rubber, with 6 relief black PVD H-shaped titanium screws

Crystal
Sapphire with interior/exterior anti-reflective treatment

Bezel lug
Black composite resin

Lateral inserts
Black composite resin

Case-back
“King Gold”

Crown
“King Gold” with black rubber insert

Push-piece
“King Gold” with black rubber insert

Water resistance
100 m or 10 ATM

Dial
Multilayer with microblasted gold-dusted matt black counters and flange, gold-plated applique indexes and black SuperLuminova™ transfers, the
Retrograde Date is shown at 9 o’clock, the GMT dial at 1 o’clock in red and blue and the Tourbillon cage at 5 o’clock Hands Gold-plated hands with black SuperLuminova™

Movement
HUB6121 Tourbillon GMT Retrograde Date

Dimensions Diameter:
Ø 35.60 mm

Thickness:
6.90 mm

No. of components
278

Number of jewels
30

Balance
Screw balance, flat hairspring

Vibrations
21,600 Vib/h (3Hz)

Tourbillon Cage
Ø 12.50 mm

Power Reserve
90 hours

Bridges
“Colimaçon”-decorated, 5N18 treatment

Screws
Polished and blocked, angled screw and slot, nickel-plated

Main plate
Microblasted, black chrome treatment

Upper plate
“Colimaçon”-decorated, 5N18 treatment

Wristlet
Adjustable articulated black rubber

Clasp
Folding buckle in “King Gold” and gold PVD steel

Edition limited to 28 pieces numbered from 01/28 to 28/28

Source: www.hublot.com

Hublot's CEO Jean-Claude Biver, side by side with Ernesto Bertarelli, the president of Alinghi

17 January 2010 – Today in Geneva, Hublot’s CEO Jean-Claude Biver, side by side with Ernesto Bertarelli, the president of Alinghi, unveiled the chronograph sporting the colours of the Swiss Defender of the 33rd America’s Cup.

Swiss Made expertise was the toast of the hour this evening on the shores of Lake Geneva, as the exclusive, limited edition Hublot “King Power Alinghi” watch made its debut. The pride of the participants was swelled by immense motivation felt on all sides to defend the Swiss colours together in a few weeks’ time, when Alinghi and Oracle do battle on the water.

The King Power Alinghi echoes the expertise and precision of the Defender yacht built for the America’s Cup. New developments, cutting edge technology and materials, a focus on the excellence of resources and sharing the highest level of skills are qualities which link the two companies.

Jean-Claude Biver hopes that the King Power will bring the catamaran luck in this extraordinary challenge: “Alinghi already has an enormous range of skills and qualities, as well as the motivation to win, and we wish to demonstrate to them how proud we are to be their partner and to show them our support through this chronograph in the yacht’s colours!”.

Hublot King Power Alinghi

Hublot King Power Alinghi Tehcnical Specifications

Case
“King Power”, diameter 48 mm in microblasted black ceramic

Bezel
Microblasted black ceramic with moulded black rubber, with 6 relief black PVD H-shaped titanium screws

Crystal
Sapphire with interior/exterior anti-reflective treatment

Bezel Lug
Black composite resin

Lateral Inserts
Black composite resin

Case-back
Microblasted black ceramic

Crown
Black PVD titanium with black rubber insert

Push-pieces
Black PVD titanium with black rubber insert

Screws
Black PVD titanium

Water resistance
100 m or 10 ATM

Dial
Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment, multilayered, additional matt black counters, index with black nickel, black SuperLuminova™, Alinghi logo at 9 o’clock

Hands
Satin-finished microblasted black nickel with black SuperLuminova™

Movement
Mechanical skeleton chronograph with automatic winding, carbon bridges, calibre Hublot HUB4400

No. of Components
252

Jewels
27

Bridges
Microblasted black chrome

Screws
Black PVD

Oscillating Weight
Tungsten carbide with black PVD treated dimpled surface

Main plate
Microblasted black chrome

Barrel
With reinforced spring

Escapement
Glucydur hairspring

Power Reserve
42 hours

Wristlet
Adjustable articulated black rubber

Clasp
Microblasted black ceramic and black PVD steel

Edition limited to 333 pieces numbered from 01/333 to 333/333

Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign at the SIHH

1. Anti-Counterfeiting Campaign at the SIHH: Fake Watches Are For Fake People!

The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie and the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry has unveiled its anti-counterfeiting campaign at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie 2009. more »

2. Smithsonian Uncovers Secret Message Inside Abraham Lincoln’s Watch

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History announced it has found a “secret” message engraved in President Abraham Lincoln’s watch by a watchmaker who was repairing it in 1861 when news of the attack on Fort Sumter reached Washington, D.C. more »

3. BASELWORLD 2009 boosts the global watch and jewellery industry

After eight successful days, BASELWORLD 2009 closed its doors, once again reaffirming its position as the leading international watch and jewelery trade show. On a site covering approximately 160,000 m2, 1,952 exhibitors from 45 countries showcased their latest products and innovations. Exhibitors and visitors alike spoke enthusiastically about their experience at the show and the business they did. Thanks to this sense of positi­vity, both exhibitors and visitors forecast new prospects for the industry as a whole. more »

de Grisogono Meccanico dG - Titanium and rubber

4. de GRISOGONO Meccanico dG

In fine watchmaking, you can decide to reinterpret existing concepts or choose to steer a pioneering course. Founder and CEO of de Grisogono, Fawaz Gruosi has deliberately chosen the second approach. With the Meccanico dG, the Geneva based manufacturer’s most recent entry, de Grisogono presents a design stemming from the purest watchmaking tradition and projects it into the future. With a total of 651 components, the Meccanico dG’s mechanical movement is one of the most complex ever made. A masterpiece of fine watchmaking, designed to display the time in two time zones, it ranks as the world’s first watch with a mechanical digital display as well as an analogue face. This world first – based on a de Grisogono patent – places a startlingly complex mechanism in a very contemporary design. more »

5. Exclusive Breguet Patronage of the Louvre

Exclusive Montres Breguet SA patronage for the remodelling of the Conseil d’Etat rooms and salon Beauvais, known as the Louis XIV wing, at the Louvre museum as part of the renovation of the museum premises devoted to 18th century furnishings. more »

Greubel Forsey DT30° Vision Red gold case Silvered-gold dial

6. GREUBEL FORSEY Double Tourbillon 30°

The watchmaker-inventors Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey, based in their atelier in La Chaux-de-Fonds, wished to surpass the accomplishments of existing movements by plunging deeper into the subject and inventing a Tourbillon which significantly improves the functioning of a wristwatch.

After four years of effort, they created a Tourbillon within a tourbillon, in such a way that this new complication permanently compensates the gravity-related errors of rate in all wristwatch positions. more »

7. JAQUET DROZ Rouge & Noir

True to its vanguard spirit, Jaquet Droz presents three flagship timepieces from Baselworld 09 – with a Numerus Clausus of 88 – that highlight the absolute black of the Grand Feu enamelled dial, the black matt of the rubber and the red gold of the case. more »

8. HUBLOT Unico Technical Specifications

The UNICO movement, a chronograph developed entirely by Hublot’s Research & Development department, is now in its “functional prototype” stage until the end of 2009. more »

Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921

9. Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 Wins Watch of the Year 2009 Prize

Just two years after being awarded the 2007 Watch of the Year Prize (for the Patrimony Contemporary Retrograde Date and Day model), Vacheron Constantin once again takes the top spot on the winner’s podium with the 2009 Watch of the Year Prize, this time for its ‘Historiques American 1921’ model. more »

What were the events that you think should have been included in this article? Please leave a comment and share with us your thoughts.

Depeche Mode

Hublot today announced its involvement with an exclusive concert on 17 February 2010 by the legendary group Depeche Mode to be held at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Teenage Cancer Trust, an organisation set up to support young cancer sufferers.

One of the most influential bands on the international electropop scene, this will be Depeche Mode’s first ever concert at the Royal Albert Hall. The band’s members are thrilled at the prospect. Not just because of the prestigious venue, but also because of the cause they have chosen to support. The event will raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, an organisation which provides help to adolescents with cancer in terms of treatment, research, education, family support and specialist diagnosis (www.teenagecancertrust.org).

To mark this special occasion, Hublot and Depeche Mode have decided to create a series of 12 unique watches, each of which will feature one of the band’s album covers on its dial. The watches will be sold at an auction at the beginning of February on a dedicated website (link available at www.hublot.ch or www.depechemode.com from 1 February 2010). All proceeds from the sale will be donated to TCT. Tickets for this unique Depeche Mode concert will be on sale from 18 December at www.livenation.co.uk.

For fans of Depeche Mode and Hublot alike, this is a one-off opportunity to attend an extraordinary concert and/or to acquire a highly exclusive “pop” Big Bang model.

Martin L. Gore, on behalf of the band, declares : “As big fans of Hublot, we’re happy to be collaborating with them on such an important cause. We’re all honored to have these 12 unique pieces created by Hublot and are grateful that it will be in support of the Teenage Cancer Trust.”

Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot : “We at Hublot feel proud and privileged to have made these twelve unique pieces which are reflecting the “fusion” between the spirit and sound of the music of Depeche Mode and the vibrations of 450 years of Swiss Watch Making Art”.

Source: www.hublot.ch