With the 2012 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix less than a month away, Hublot, the Official Watchmaker of F1, unveils the Hublot King Power F1 Austin watch.  The watch is named after the penultimate race of the 2012 F1 season which is in Austin, TX.  The Austin Grand Prix is notable this year in that it marks a return of the Formula 1 circuit to the United States; Formula 1 left the U.S in 2007 after being held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway venue  from 2007-2007.   The Hublot F1 King Power Austin is a limited edition of 250 pieces and features the unique design elements which we have come to expect from the superb Hublot F1 series which now comprises 10 models.  Even though the only *change* with regards to the F1 series is the color set, it is easy to say that this is one cool looking watch.  I’ll run it all down for you, below.

REF : 703.NQ.8512.HR.FTX12

The Austin Grand Prix will be held at the new, $300 million, 3.4-mile Circuit of the Americas track with capacity for 120,000 fans through 2012 and should be an exciting event.  Comparable to the Olympics and Soccer’s FIFA World Cup, Formula 1 has a massive following of more than 520 million viewers in 187 countries and is the most-watched annual television sport in the world.  Formula 1 will bring Texas to millions of viewers around the globe — and for years to come.  Formula 1 has selected Austin to hold races from 2012 to 2021 because of the city’s central location, easy accessibility for international fans, desirable climate and world-class music scene.

As noted above, the Hublot F1 King Power F1 has a 48mm titanium case (“King Power” style) and features the unique design elements which we have seen in prior Hublot F1 watches: carbon and titanium bezel, satin-finished with a perforated effect which brings to mind the cutting edge performance of an high tech brake disc, the start and reset push-pieces, and a 30-minute timer at 3 o’clock.

The strap is made from black Hornback alligator leather (with black rubber backing) with the red stitching subtly picking up the colour of the dial.  In the past Hublot has used a Nomex-style strap (same material as racing suits worn by drivers), but not on this piece.

You can see all the Hublot F1 King Power Watches here:  F1 King Power Interlagos, F1 King Power Great Britain , F1 King Power Abu Dhabi, F1 King Power Suzuka, F1 King Power India, F1 King Power Ceramic, F1 King Power Gold, F1 King Power Monza, F1 King Power the (original) Official Watch of Formula 1