Hublot enters into the world of poker players

 

To seal the presence of the Swiss watchmaking brand in this new field, a Big Bang World Poker Tour®, with a design heavily inspired by the game, was presented at an event organised in Las Vegas and attended by CEO of Hublot Ricardo Guadalupe, as well as the greatest players on the circuit.

17 December 2014 – Las Vegas (USA) – After football, American basketball, and recently cricket in India and Australia, Hublot has achieved yet another master stroke by signing with the World Poker Tour in Las Vegas to become Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the international poker circuit.

Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, chose to announce the partnership at the WPT® Five Diamond World Poker Classic, WPT Alpha8™ Las Vegas, organised and televised (FOX Sports) from 15th to 20th December at the Bellagio, the legendary Las Vegas hotel and capital of international poker. The event was attended by the greatest professional and amateur players on the poker circuit.

Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, remarked "Hublot has once again proven itself to be first, unique and different, as the first luxury brand to become Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the international professional poker circuit. We chose the World Poker Tour because its global presence, televised tournaments and quality of its players make it a benchmark in the game. I strongly believe that this field has great commercial and marketing potential. The tremendous success of our boutiques in Las Vegas and Macau are evidence of the possibilities. I am delighted with this great collaboration that awaits us."

Adam Pliska, President of the World Poker Tour continues: "Hublot is a Swiss luxury brand renowned across the globe for its sports watches with an instantly recognisable design. This partnership will bring even more value to each and every televised event of the World Poker Tour. In April, Champion of season XII of the World Poker Tour, Keven Stammen beat Byron Kaverman in Borgata, and received the magnificent prize of a Hublot King Power Unico. We are delighted to be able to give almost 1 million dollars' worth of luxury watches to the champions of our televised events and the Hublot WPT Player of the Year in the upcoming seasons.”

Hublot was the first luxury brand to enter professional football in 2006, with the immense marketing and commercial success that we expect of the brand. It was also the first luxury brand to enter American basketball in 2011. That same year, Ferrari chose Hublot to be its Official Timekeeper and Official Watch.

In 2014, in addition to poker, Hublot was also the first luxury brand to enter cricket, one of the world's most popular sports, particularly widespread in India, Australia, the Middle East and in all Commonwealth countries, which offers Hublot great additional geographic coverage on four continents.

VACHERON CONSTANTIN CELEBRATES THE OPENING OF THE GINZA BOUTIQUE

Vacheron Constantin, the world’s oldest Haute Horlogerie manufacture with almost 260 years of uninterrupted history, celebrated the grand opening of its first boutique in Japan on the prestigious main street of Chuo-dori, situated in Tokyo’s Ginza district.
To celebrate this special occasion, an exclusive reception was hosted to welcome distinguished guests with the opportunity to step into the magnificent two-floor boutique for the first time. Dedicated to technical and aesthetical Haute Horlogerie and decorated with a luxurious interior design in harmony with the brand codes, the entire range of the Vacheron Constantin collection including the three exclusive Ginza Boutique limited-edition timepieces was showcased.
The guests were then transferred to a mysterious dinner venue and came to a surprising halt to discover themselves in front of the beautiful Zojoji Temple, located in the heart of Tokyo. Set in attractive gardens and surrounded by trees, the Temple is the perfect location to represent a striking contrast between historical and contemporary, reflecting Vacheron Constantin’s shared values of modern expression and watchmaking tradition. A transparent

tent house was built in front of the illuminated main temple, within reach of the lit-up Tokyo Tower and skyscrapers. Twenty remarkable heritage pieces, including the first pocket watch signed by J.M. Vacheron in 1755, all belonging to the Vacheron Constantin heritage collection in Geneva, were displayed. 

After enjoying the cocktail and the demonstration of a Vacheron Constantin High-Complication watchmaker, the guests were seated for the dinner. After Vincent Gouget welcomed the guests, Juan-Carlos Torres explained: “Following the recent openings in New York, Paris, and London the inauguration of this welcoming and cozy boutique in Ginza is a fine opportunity to reinforce the historical bond between Japan and Vacheron Constantin”.

To celebrate the night, star Chef Yosuke Suga created a special original menu for the first time since his recent triumphant return to Japan from France. The evening was brought to a captivating conclusion with a live music performance by the two renowned artists Pianist Yukio Yokoyama and Japanese traditional flute Gagaku musician Togi Hideki who played together for the first time.

About the Boutique
With more than 140 square meters, the two floors are filled with passion for watchmaking and its exquisite timepieces in elegant showcases welcomes watch enthusiasts and collectors, with the ground floor housing the boutique itself and the upper floor reserved for VIP. The sophisticated expressive and elegant interior design creates a warm, cozy atmosphere and aesthetic perfection. The classical beauty and contemporary feel represent the spirits of the brand. An in-house watchmaker is stationed to offer onsite after-sales service and will demonstrate extraordinary craftsmanship and tradition of aesthetic excellence. Our highly exception bespoke service Atelier Cabinotiers will be provided to entirely customize one-of-a- kind timepiece.
Vacheron Constantin Ginza Boutique
7-8-8 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Tel: 03-3569-1755

Open hours: Mon – Fri 12pm – 8pm, Sat 11am – 8pm, Sun & Hol 11am – 7pm *Closed on Jan 1st and 2nd and early closing time at 6pm on Dec 31st

Vacheron Constantin’s Heritage Exhibition
To celebrate the opening of Ginza boutique, 20 timepieces are exhibited for public on the second floor until January 12th, 2015. The collection belongs to the Vacheron Constantin heritage collection in Geneva and some of the pieces have arrived in Japan for the first time. The exhibition includes one of the very first timepiece produced by the Maison as well as Tour de l’Île Grande Complication wristwatch, which was created to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Manufacture.
Date: Tuesday 9th, 2014 through Monday Jan 12th, 2015
*Closed on Jan 1st and 2nd

140
Exclusive Timepieces Dedicated to Ginza Boutique
To celebrate the Grand Opening of its first boutique in Japan, Vacheron Constantin presented 3 limited editions.

Traditionelle 14-day Tourbillon

3-piece limited edition

Traditionelle

20-piece limited edition

Overseas Dual Time

100-piece limited edition 

About Vacheron Constantin
Founded in 1755 in Geneva, Vacheron Constantin is the oldest watchmaking manufacture in the world, with an uninterrupted activity almost 260 years. Founders of the very spirit of the precious and technical fine watch making, the men and the women of Vacheron Constantin continue to design, develop and produce exceptional timekeepers, remaining close to the three fundamentals of the brand: perfectly mastered technique, harmonious and inspired aesthetics and an extremely high level of finishing touches. 

A NEW PRODUCT GILDS THE PORTOFINO COLLECTION FROM IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN

— With its technically advanced movement and features, the Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date (here in 18-carat red gold, Ref. IW516102) is the latest addition to the Portofino watch family of IWC Schaffhausen. The new model is available exclusively from IWC boutiques.

Schaffhausen, 25 September 2013 – Since Swiss watch manufacturer IWC Schaffhausen completely overhauled its Portofino collection in 2011, the line has been revitalized. Now the family has been extended to include a new member. Available in white gold and red gold, the Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date is a stylish declaration of discreet luxury.

The Portofino line has been the silent hero of IWC’s watch collections for over a quarter of a century and is the epitome of understatement, good taste and cultivated Mediterranean lifestyle. In much the same way that the picturesque harbour town of Portofino stands for the dolce vita of the 1960s, Portofino watches perfectly combine extravagance with simple elegance. With the Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date (Ref.IW516101/IW516102), IWC Schaffhausen welcomes a new complication to a watch collection rich in tradition.

DESPITE ITS MODEST APPEARANCE, THE PORTOFINO HAND-WOUND BIG DATE COMES WITH A GENEROUS PORTION OF WATCHMAKING SOPHISTICATION.

— Calibre 59230

PORTOFINO HAND-WOUND BIG DATE

The family resemblance is unmistakable. But as you will discover if you take a second look at the dial and despite its modest appearance, the Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date comes with a generous portion of watchmaking sophistication. The date display at “12 o’clock” is an extremely useful and convenient complication and shows the date on two large, highly legible digits. This is achieved through two synchronized discs: the first of these shows the tens from 0 to 3, while the second shows the single digits from 0 to 9. The perfectly choreographed interplay between the two discs is mastered by the IWC 59230 calibre, a further development of the 59000-calibre family that comes with this additional piece of technical wizardry. The contemporary movement design with its large bridges and plates is robust and reliable and was built to satisfy the demands of watch connoisseurs in the 21st century. The new Portofino comes not only with a big date but also a good deal of staying power. When fully wound, the watch has a power reserve of 192 hours, or 8 days, during which it will run with maximum precision without the need for any external intervention. After that, the owner needs to supply the watch with renewed energy by winding the crown. There is, however, no need to worry about forgetting: the power reserve display on the dial is a trusty reminder. The Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date is available in white gold (Ref. IW516101) or red gold (Ref. IW516102), exclusively from IWC boutiques.

PRECIOUS METALS AND TOP-QUALITY LEATHERS

The Portofino Hand-Wound Big Date is available in white gold with a slate-coloured dial, rhodium-plated hands and indices and a black leather strap. The red-gold version comes with a silver-plated dial, gold-plated hands and indices, as well as a dark brown leather strap. Renowned Italian shoe manufacturer Santoni, now run by the second generation of the family, Giuseppe Santoni, produces top quality leather straps exclusively for IWC Schaffhausen. The leather undergoes a complicated manufacturing process that gives it the patina and subtle gradation of colours characteristic of the brand’s products. The technique leaves the leather looking as if it had already enjoyed several years of use by a careful owner, although it is absolutely brand new. Another trademark Santoni feature is the orangecoloured leather lining found on the inner surface of the strap. The aesthetics and appeal of the Mediterranean way of life are unified in this perfect union of watch and strap.

FEATURES

• Mechanical movement
• Hand-wound
• 8-day power reserve when fully wound
• Indexless balance with 4 golden weight screws on the balance rim
• Breguet spring
• Small hacking seconds
• Large date window
• Power reserve display
• Available worldwide from IWC boutiques

MOVEMENT

• Calibre: 59230
• Frequency: 28,800 A/h / 4 Hz
• Jewels: 30
• Power reserve: 8 days (192 h)
• Winding: hand-wound

WATCH

• Materials: case in 18-carat white gold, slate-coloured dial, rhodium-plated hands and indices, black Santoni alligator leather strap, pin buckle in 18-carat white gold
• Glass: sapphire, arched edge, antireflective coating on both sides
• Back: transparent sapphire-glass back
• Water-resistant: 3 bar
• Diameter: 45 mm
• Case height: 13 mm

HUBLOT & Italia Independent

Milan, 11 December 2014 – Hublot and Italia Independent are proud to announce a three-year partnership involving a series of products that will see the light in the first quarter of the coming year and will enjoy ample visibility at the two brands’ boutiques. The launch plan consists of a series of international events.
“After the fruitful partnerships with Ferrari and Juventus, Hublot is proud to announce yet another Italian partnership which will embody the same high level of excellence and competence, namely our new and third Italian partnership with my friend Lapo Elkann and Italia Independent. Through this new collaboration, Hublot will seek to be enriched by the creativity, innovation and competence of Italia Independent, which will in turn promote the “Made in Italy” spirit, culture and design.” Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot & President of the Watch Division, LVMH Group
“We are very proud to announce the partnership with Hublot, one of the world's most prestigious brands in the luxury watch sector. In this project, conceived for the global market, Hublot and Italia Independent have deployed the best of their distinctive qualities, which have so much in common: style, creativity, experimentation and advanced technology.” Lapo Elkann, Chairman and Co-founder of Italia Independent
The results of the partnership will be of true excellence at both the technical and stylistic levels, and will highlight the expertise possessed by the two European firms which worked closely together to develop them.
"2015 will be a very exciting year for Hublot. When I first met Lapo with Jean-Claude Biver around the launch of our partnership with Ferrari in 2011, there was an immediate connection. His personality, his style and creativity are incredible. I am delighted with this great collaboration with Italia Independent, rich in a host of synergies, that awaits us, and am very proud that Lapo has chosen Hublot. We are going to accomplish great things together!" Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot.
“The partnership with Hublot is reason for great pride because it confirms the soundness of our business model, which is focused on eyewear but is supported by prestigious partnerships that make Italia Independent a lifestyle brand. It has been an extraordinary experience to be able to share our aptitude for innovation and creativity with a global luxury watch leader. The partnership will enjoy international visibility and will allow for synergies both on communication and distribution.” Andrea Tessitore, CEO and Co-founder of Italia Independent 

About Hublot
"Hublot? A different way to progress" say those who know this unique Swiss luxury watch company, where each and every moment moves forward to create the future at breathtaking speed. A dream, initiated and developed by Hublot's Chairman Jean-Claude Biver with CEO, Ricardo Guadalupe, these two men are responsible for turning the Hublot brand into a genuine success story in which the Big Bang, King Power and Classic Fusion represent the symbols of a constantly evolving tradition. From watch complications and revolutionary materials to world class collaborations such as FIFA World CupTM and Ferrari, Hublot characterizes itself through the "Art of Fusion" philosophy, bringing tradition into the future. On a commercial level, the network of approved retailers has grown rapidly and currently stands at 750 points of sale and more than 70 exclusive boutiques around the world (Geneva, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Paris, London, Berlin, Moscow, New York, Miami, Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Singapore, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Ginza...).
For more information, visit www.hublot.com
About Italia Independent
Italia Independent is a creative and stylish brand for independent people that blends fashion and design, tradition and innovation.
Italia Independent updates Made in Italy by revisiting classic icons, operating in the eyewear field and creating lifestyle products belonging to different sectors, exporting the Italian style into a global world.
For more information, visit www.italiaindependent.com