The newest addition to Hublot’s Ferrari line was unveiled recently at the Al Tayer Ferrari Showroom in Dubai (where I think they sell more than a few Ferrari’s each year).  The watch has the colors of the national flag of UAE (red, green, white, black).  On a somewhat related note, I was in Las Vegas earlier this week where I managed to pop-in to the Wynn & Company watch boutique which opened just a few months ago.  They had the Hublot F1 King Power Austin on hand, as well as the Titanium Big Bang Ferrari — they look great in person, I especially love how Hublot has done these Ferrari pieces.

Hublot Big Bang Ferrari UAE Limited Edition

25-piece limited edition

45.5mm titanium case, automatic mechanical HUB 1241 flyback chronograph caliber (in-house UNICO series)

Hard to believe, but it has only been about one year since the official collaboration between Ferrari and Hublot began. Overall, it has undoubtedly been both a commercial and marketing success for Hublot, the latter of which of course contributes to the former.  Building on the success of the initial Ferrari Big Bangs — pieces which I referred to as “ridiculously awesome” at the time (what can I say it was a heartfelt moment) — Hublot is full speed ahead in 2013 with three new editions for its Big Bang Ferrari family.  There is a black carbon case w/ red sapphire glass, a King Gold and carbon fiber, and a black ceramic and carbon fiber — all three are pictured above on one of two straps that ships with the watch, the red Schedoni leather strap with red stitching and black rubber lining.  I’ll explore them all in detail, below.
Click through for an in-depth look at these new pieces

Hublot announced a few weeks ago that it has inked a deal to become the first “Official Timekeeper” of the Los Angeles Lakers.  The addition of the Los Angeles Lakers makes this the second NBA team partnership for the brand, solidifying its expanding presence in the NBA.   Hublot’s strategy regarding partnerships/endorsements/ambassadors has long intrigued me.  I’ll briefly explore the brand’s ascendance within the NBA, below.

Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe joins superstar Kobe Bryant, Lakers EVP Jeanie Buss and Westime President Greg Simonian (left) for a center court photo-op at the STAPLES Center.

An example of where you will be seeing the Hublot name at the STAPLES arena

Timeline:  Hublot’s Ascendance within the NBA

I know that Hublot Chariman Jean-Claude Biver is a proponent of being first and being different (hear it from the man himself here), and this is yet another example of Hublot’s ambitions to expand its reach into new sports, new demographics, find new fans — and of course the end game, new customers.  This will certainly give Hublot great exposure to a younger audience (aspirants today, Hublot customers tomorrow!), in addition to the well-heeled fans and celebrties who are familiar faces at Lakers games.

Indeed we have seen Hublot slowly working its way into the world of professional basketball for a couple years now, mostly with the Miami Heat organization.  Now it is clear that Hublot’s ambitions within the NBA are much more.

It started with Dwyane Wade — Hublot signed D-Wade as an Ambassador in Feb 2011, and then the NBA superstar got his very own Hublot King Power  in August of 2011.  The D-Wade relationship led to a forging of closer ties with the entire Miami Heat organization, manifested in the King Power Miami Heat edition.

I also know that Hublot is cultivating a relationship with the Brooklyn Nets — Hublot was there last year when the new home of the Nets, the Barclays Center.  Beyond this, I think that the brass ring Hublot would like to grab here is the NBA itself.

“Hublot – Official Timekeeper of the NBA” anyone?

For the first time, a luxury watch brand has produced a collection of “Jeans” watches.   No Levi’s denim here, no Sir:  only the finest denim from Italian denim manufacturer who supplies the world’s biggest luxury and fashion names will adorn these Big Bang dials and straps.   Reportedly based on an idea by Tina Zegg (of Zegg & Cerlati, Monaco), the collection comprises three ladies’ “Big Bang Jeans” watches (41mm) and one “Oceanographic 4000 Jeans”, all of which incorporate a detail of Dsquared denim.

OK, yea, I suppose I can see these 41mm Big Bangs being chic and sexy on a woman, but the Oceanographic 4000?  Hublot, JCB Guadalupe, you know I am a huge fan, but I gotta say that the thought — let alone the sight — of a denim Oceanographic 4000 makes me **cringe**

Big Bang steel case, 41mm

limited edition 250

Diamond-set, limited edition 250

Baguette-set, limited edition 250

Oceanographic 4000m diver, limited edition 21 pieces

Management Committee meetings — what Management Committee meetings?

I bring to your attention a very candid, entertaining and insightful talk given by watch industry guru and Hublot Chairman Jean-Claude Biver. The event was part of a series of seminars for the Design Management degree offered by European University, which offers flexible business study programs at undergraduate/BBA/Bachelor and graduate/MBA/Master degree levels.

Since stepping back from the CEO role at Hublot, Biver seems to be in the “knowledge transfer” phase of his life — having learned a lot and earned a lot, I see him “returning a lot” to the next generation.  If you have time to watch the entire lecture, you will not be disappointed –invaluable advice from JC Biver — applicable many walks of life.

Here are some of the things that you will get to learn and enjoy by listening to Mr Biver’s lecture:

* To love and be loved in life is to achieve real success

* Attitude matters

* Be FIRST, Be UNIQUE, Be DIFFERENT

* Talk to the customers of today AND tomorrow

* The importance of “talking with your eyes”

* Paying your employees $1,000 for admitting their mistakes

* Management Committee meetings — what Management Committee meetings?

* Riding in Mr. Lavazza’s Maserati — and how Hublot became the first luxury brand to sponsor soccer/football

In addition to the points above, another interesting segment for me was from about the 30-minute mark when Biver recounts the financial performance of Hublot during the years leading up to its acquisition by LVMH in 2008:  In 2005, Hublot did turnover (revenue) of 32 million Swiss Francs, with a loss of 2.6 million Swiss Francs; in 2008, they did 220 million in turnover and 49.6 million in profit.  Now the brand is approximately 400 million in annual revenue, making it the 14th largest Swiss watch brand.

Hublot is not an exhibitor at SIHH 2013, but it is still presenting several 2013 novelties this week.  For now I will quickly show my favorite of the group, the Classic Fusion Chrono Aero.  It is a very nice looking chronograph.  The “Aero Bang” (openworked dial) has been one of Hublot’s bestsellers since 2007, and now for the first time it is available in the Classic Fusion line.  Hublot revamped the Classic Fusion line several years ago and they are balanced, elegant looking watches, in my view.  This model has a 45mm case, offered in titanium or King Gold (Hublot’s mix contains 5% platinum and a slightly intense red color vs. normal gold), available on matchin metal bracelet or black alligator strap with rubber back.  Counters at 3 o’clock (small second) and 9 o’clock (30-minute) and a date window at 6 o’clock.  More looks below.
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For your enjoyment, here are several hands on photos of the new Hublot Oceanographic 1000m dive watch.  Also included are some side-by-side shots with the Hublot Oceanographic 4000m dive watch.  These photos were submitted by a lucky owner of both pieces who lives in Canada.  Of course he is also a huge Perpetuelle fan   I really appreciate that he reached out to me to share these great photos; it is always great to be able to share in the pleasure and experience of watches such as these.   If you have new and exciting watches you would like to share, please feel free to email me at kyle [at] perpetuelle.com.

Also below don’t miss the comments on the “quick-change strap system” which some of you have asked about!
Click through for lots of live looks at the Hublot Oceanographic 1000 dive watch

UPDATE:  Finally!  Twitter Friends inform me that the watch was officially launched last week at the London Hublot Boutique.  Price is 17,000 GBP, or about $27,000 USD at current f/x.

Hublot has been oddly quiet about their new King Power Oceanographic 1000 Dive Watch (“little” brother of the Oceanographic 4000m divers).   The watch was first spied earlier this year at Baselworld 2012 as Perpetuelle brought you a first look earlier this year as well as some live photos courtesy of Dive (into) Watches (Roger Ruegger) who did a fantastic review of the watch.  But it still has not been officially announced!  But there are signs of activity…Hublot has just posted this short video of the watch on its YouTube channel — perhaps official launch is near?

Hublot King Power Oceanographic 1000 Dive Watch (Video)

The family-owned Arturo Fuente Cigar Company, maker of the famous Opus X cigars (among others), recently celebrated its 100 year anniversary.  To celebrate this occasion, Hublot and Fuente introduce the Hublot King Power “Arturo Fuente” edition watch, offered in two limited editions:  100 pieces in gold and 200 in ceramic.  This watch should wear well while smoking an Opus X, one of the rarest cigars in the world.  It’s a great looking timepiece, and it is presented in spectacular fashion:  delivered in a genuine cigar humidor made of Macassar ebony and carbon.  And, to mark the presentation of this watch, Arturo Fuente has created a special edition of OPUS X cigars for Hublot.  A perfect combination for wristwatch and cigar fans alike!
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Hublot has produced a series of limited edition watches since being announced as the Official Timekeeper of Formula 1.  With today’s announcement of the F1 King Power Austin, the collection is now twelve references strong, including two tourbillons.  The original design was groundbreaking in its design, with brake-disc style bezel, F1-styled chrono pushers, and a Nomex strap made from the same fire resistant material as the F1 drivers suits.

Hublot has by and large applied the unique and unprecedented design features of the original F1 King Power to the entire series, with one exception being the use of an alligator strap rather than Nomex for some models (Great Britain, Austin, Interlagos).  In addition, we have also see unique sapphire crystals such as for the Monza F1 (red sapphire), and in some instances there is carbon fiber case (Interlagos, Abu Dhabi) or ceramic case used rather than a precious metal.

All in all, this is one of my favorite and most exciting modern-day watch collections.  Here is a “summary overview”, compiled for the enjoyment of Perpetuelle readers.

Hublot F1 King Power Collection