April 19, 2010 Editor’s Note: The watch initially shown in conjunction withe the Hublot/F1 partnership announced March 13, 2010 was only a prototype.  The actual production model will be as you now see below.  This same watch was officially unveiled as the Hublot F1 King Power Announced at the recent 2010 Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix, which you can click here to see more of.

Big news from the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix – Multi-year deal to include Hublot boutiques in the Formula One Paddock Club at numerousevents; range of new Hublot F1 King Power watches to come…

Another fantastic sports partnership for Hublot and a big win for Jean-Claude Biver, Hublot CEO.  This splendid partnership between Hublot and Formula 1 follows closely on the heels of another high profile, but obviously much narrower partnership with football legend Maradona, as well as a spectacular showing at the Vancouver Winter Olympics by ambassador and downhill skier Bode Miller.  As I said in my Maradona post, if there is one thing Hublot does supremely well it is signing athlete ambassadors.  Although it does not pertain to a specific athelete, I would consider Hublot’s new position as “The Official Watchmaker of Formula 1” to be in this same category.  Biver must be thrilled.  He will have plenty to talk about this coming week in Basel.  I, for one, can hardly wait!

The Hublot F1 King (limited edition of 500)

Jean-Claue Biver, CEO of Hublot and Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of Formula One group pose for a “wrist shot” from the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrian Grand Prix

Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot SA is full of enthusiasm:

“I have always had great admiration for the exceptional and unique achievements of Bernie Ecclestone. Without him there would be no Formula 1: he created this global phenomenon’. I have also had a great deal of admiration for the drivers who are able to control these ultra-sophisticated racing machines down to the slightest movement, all at incredible speed. Nor should we forget the cradle of high technology that F1 represents. It’s such a delight to be here with Hublot today, so close to Bernie, the racing, the drivers, the cars, the high technology and the F1 Grand Prix in general. This is the start of a very special relationship”.

Bernie Ecclestone, CEO of the Formula One group was equally complimentary of Hublot:

“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”.

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