Becoming the watchmaking partner of Ferrari means for Hublot a comprehensive agreement covering all the activities of Ferrari and Hublot, both in terms of brand image and the commercial activities of both companies. It is a genuine exchange between the two brands, a pooling of resources and information, a win-win agreement, which was announced at the Mugello international circuit (near Florence) last winter jointly by Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot and Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, President of Ferrari SpA,  who commented : “Exclusivity, technology, passion, style: Hublot and Ferrari share many core values and this new partnership between two such highly prestigious brands is an important milestone for both”. This involves more than just the creation of watch collections, operating a licence or a sponsorship agreement, as Hublot has become the exclusive watchmaking partner in the full range of Ferrari’s activities.
Hublot introduced the first watch designed in partnership with Ferrari during Baselworld 2012 : the Big Bang Ferrari marks an evolution of the iconic Big Bang design – the first since the watch was launched in 2005 – that fuses style and materials and mechanics in a way that uniquely addresses the respective DNA of Hublot and Ferrari : innovation, performance, technology and exclusivity.  It sports a larger case with a cylindrical bezel that dramatically showcases the movement visible through the sapphire dial. An indexed crown features elongated push buttons, fixed along a rotating axis like the pedals in a car whilst carbon inserts give the case distinctive look. Even its two interchangeable straps with an innovative quick-change system are inspired by the safety seatbelt mechanism. The tone-on-tone stitching is a nod to the signature upholstery craftsmanship typical of Ferrari. The minute counter, whose hands and indices recall a Ferrari dashboard, is positioned at 3 o’clock and complemented by date window in ‘Modena’ yellow. The legendary prancing horse is featured discreetly in relief at 9 o’clock. Designed and developed by Hublot to power the Big Bang Ferrari, the Unico movement can be compared to the best possible engine to power a racing car. Also available in titanium, the Big Bang Ferrari incorporates a Magic Gold version, the product of extensive R&D (see below).The innovation and sophistication that went into the Big Bang Ferrari make it a new sign of recognition, different to the core from any watch presented before. This concept has even been extended to the presentation case for each watch – a true showcase inspired by an engine valve support, made from aluminum, with a built-in rotary system.

Made with Magic Gold
After 3 years of collaboration and research with EFPL (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne), Hublot unveiled in 2011 a range of brand new alloys which are set to revolutionize the characteristics of precious materials and may also pave the way for new alloys to be used in the high-tech industry. Nicknamed “Magic Gold”, Hublot’s 18-carat gold is the world’s first scratch-resistant gold, and as such eliminates the age-old vulnerability of gold and its alloys. Components made from this material are produced using a complex process : boron carbide powder is formed by cold isostatic pressing in molds very close in shape to that of the finished part (watch cases, bracelets etc). This ceramic is also highly refractory : the preforms are then hardened at very high temperatures to create a rigid, porous structure without altering the shape. After this, molten liquid gold is injected under very high pressure. This operation is performed under inert gas pressure, at a sufficiently high temperature and pressure to ensure that the molten metal fills the pores in the ceramic, causing the two to “fuse” into a single new material. Hublot has now passed the experimental stage for its new gold and acquired the means to produce the new material entirely in its own Manufacture, thanks to a high-tech foundry enabling processes such as refractory ceramic sintering and high-pressure metal casting.

 

 

Tutti Frutti Power of Seduction
Where does such power of seduction come from ? Often considered as the reigning complication in the world of Haute Horlogerie, the tourbillon is fascinating, captivating and enchanting. Just to see this tiny human heart beating wildly – the most intensely emotional symbol of watchmaking technological creativity. A technical feat which has long been a closely-guarded secret, usually seen in men’s watches, and nowadays still mainly aimed at wealthy, demanding and experienced connoisseurs and collectors, Hublot has made the tourbillon colourful, light, fun, happy… and feminine !
With the Tutti Frutti Tourbillon Pave collection, this is the first time that Hublot has offered a tourbillon watch for ladies. This piece, created in-house, is fitted with a movement comprising 153 components and a flying tourbillon visible on the dial side, all entirely produced in the workshops at the Hublot Manufacture. Doubtless connoisseurs will jump at the chance to own one. Elegant, set with diamonds and stones in fashionable, on-trend colours such as spring green, orange, pink, electric blue, dark chocolate brown, camel and even two snow-white versions, one of which is entirely pave-set – dazzling with a thousand lights – with no fewer than 621 diamonds and a total of 3.82 carats, this collection is the perfect fusion of watchmaking expertise and ultra-feminine style. Guaranteed to enchant, all around the world but especially in Porto Cervo, St Tropez, Monaco or Gstaad.
Made to play polo
Action, precision, fusion, all with great respect for tradition… the image conveyed by polo is perfectly in keeping with the values espoused by Hublot. A close partner of the Polo Gold Cup Gstaad for the last five years, Hublot is proud to have renewed its association with this magnificent tournament, which takes place mid-August in a stunning setting deep in the Swiss Alps. The latest edition is a little bit special, as Hublot unveiled its new Chukker Bang watch which takes its inspiration from the world of polo. Developed in conjunction with Facundo Pieres, one of the world’s best polo players and a Hublot ambassador, who contributed his experience and ideas, the Chukker Bang is a Big Bang equipped with a titanium grille – a first for Hublot – affixed to its bezel in order to protect the sapphire crystal. (the grille can be removed from the bezel if desired). The special feature of the HUB1141 Polo Flyback automatic chronograph movement is its 7 min 30 counter which reflects the length of one period of play, or “chukka”, in a polo match, from which the model takes the name “Chukker Bang”. Its chronograph hand completes one revolution of the dial in 30 seconds. This watch is available either in a limited edition titanium version of 500 numbered pieces, or in a more glamourous version with a diamond-set grille.

 

The Tutti Frutti Tourbillon Pave Collection is available in 8 limited editions of 18 pieces
Gold White Tourbillon Full Pavé-set with 621 diamond and a total of 3.82 carats
White Pavé-set with 362 diamonds and a total of 2.44 carats
Dark Blue Pavé-set with bezel set with 48 baguette blue sapphires
Brown Pavé-set with bezel set with 48 baguette smoky quartzes
Camel Pavé-set with bezel set with 48 baguette andalusites
Apple Pavé-set with bezel set with 48 baguette tsavorites
Orange Pavé-set with bezel set with 48 baguette orange sapphires
Pink Pavé-set with bezel set with 48 baguette pink sapphires

 

The Tutti Frutti Tourbillon Pave x 4
Case: 18K red gold set with 198 diamonds totalling 0.96 ct, 18K red gold bezel with 6 titanium H-shaped screws, countersunk, polished and locked, lateral inserts in matching colour composite resin, sapphire crystal case-back Diameter:  41 mm Movement: hand-wound skeleton movement  (HUB6004, 120h power reserve),153 components,  flying tourbillon inside a cage, without ball bearings Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, Polo flyback chronograph, date Dial: Coloured matte (dark blue, brown, camel) or white (for green, pink, orange and white versions) set with 50 diamond totalling 0.26 ct with 18K red gold deployant buckle Water-resistanc : 30m Strap: white, blue, brown, camel, green, pink, or orange alligator leather stitched on tone-on-tone rubber Limited edition: 18 pieces in each of the 8 colors

 

 

Big Bang Chukker Bang
Case: vertical satin-finished titanium,  bezel in satin-finished black ceramic with vertical satin-finished titanium grille, lateral inserts in black composite resin,  case-back in solid titanium with special Chukker Bang engraving Diameter: 44,5 mm Movement: self-winding mechanical movement (HUB 1141 caliber, 42h power reserve), 280 components, oscillating weight in tungsten with black PVD treated dimpled surface, main plate micro-blasted and  rhodium-plated Functions: hours, minutes, seconds, Polo flyback chronograph, date Dial : matt black with black satin-finished indexes and white SuperLuminova™ Water-resistance: 100m STRAP : Adjustable black rubber and beige calfskin with ecru stitching with satin-finished polished steel deployant buckle Limited edition: 500 numbered pieces