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 

Bentley GMT Light Body B04

Bentley GMT Light Body B04

Travel at its most comfortable

Bentley for the quintessence of British chic. GMT for the revolutionary dual timezone adjustment system. Light Body for the featherweight titanium case. B04 for the high-performance Manufacture Breitling Calibre entirely developed and produced in the Breitling Chronométrie workshops. The new Bentley GMT Light Body B04 extends an irresistible invitation to tear up the road – or whiz through the air – while enjoying a combination of comfort and elegance, efficiency and style. This authentic wrist sculpture is distinguished by its original and daring design featuring asymmetrical lugs, a black rubber strap, a broad bezel with a knurled motif inspired by Bentley radiator grilles, along with pushpieces built into the ergonomically streamlined profile. A paragon of functionality, this travel chronograph is also distinguished by its unprecedented ease of handling. All the wearer needs to do when juggling with timezones is to pull out the crown and turn it forwards or backwards in one-hour increments. This is achieved without any loss of precision in terms of the minutes, while the date is automatically adjusted to local time in either direction. Another appreciable source of comfort on the road stems from the rotating inner bezel bearing the names of 24 cities and enabling at-a-glance readings of all timezones around the world in relation to the one indicated by the 24-hour hand. The dial bearing an openworked circular pattern reveals glimpses of the automatic B04 chronograph movement, chronometer-certified by the COSC (Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), as indeed are all engines in the Breitling for Bentley racing team. High-precision travel at its finest.

Movement: Manufacture Breitling Calibre B04, officially chronometer-certified by the COSC, selfwinding, high-frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour), 47 jewels. Over 70-hour power reserve. 24-hour 2nd timezone. 1/4th second chronograph, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers. Calendar. Case: titanium. Water-resistant to 100 m. Screw-lock crown. Rotating pinion bezel with timezone scale. Cambered sapphire crystal, glareproofed on both sides. Transparent sapphire crystal caseback. Diameter: 49 mm. Dials: Royal Ebony or Tungsten. Strap: GMT in rubber. 

BASELWORLD REPORT MARCH 27

FEDERAL COUNCILLOR UELI MAURER OPENS THE WORLD'S MOST IMPORTANT EXHIBITION FOR WATCHES AND JEWELLERY, BASELWORLD 2014, IN BASEL.

Basel, Switzerland, 27 March 2014: Baselworld 2014 is the event of the year for the watchmaking and jewellery industry. Today, at precisely 11am, the Baselworld show was opened by Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, Member of the Cantonal Council of Basel-Stadt Christoph Brutschin and prominent representatives from the watchmaking and jewellery industry. Around 100,000 visitors and over 3,500 journalists from all over the world are expected to attend this year's event. This year, just like every other year, there are many highlights at Baselworld. With their luxurious and sometimes spectacular presentations, the 1,400 exhibitors will ensure that their pavilions showcase highlights every day, almost round the clock. Baselworld 2014, which is also open to the general public, runs from 27 March to 3 April 2014. Over the years, Baselworld has evolved into a superlative event. For the watchmaking and jewellery industry, Baselworld has become an indispensable platform for the latest products and innovations. The pavilions, which were specially designed for the event, are exceptionally elegant and convey to visitors the luxurious and perfectionist world of the watch and jewellery brands. For the media, too, Baselworld has become a key date in the calendar in recent decades. Baselworld is regularly attended by over 3,500 accredited journalists from almost every country in the world. Federal Councillor Maurer praises the Swiss watchmaking industry In a lively and entertaining address before around 400 guests from the worlds of politics and business, Federal Councillor Maurer praised Baselworld as a contemporary continuation of an ancient cultural tradition as well as a modern interpretation of the eternal human enjoyment of the arts and beauty. He was proud and delighted to open such a significant show in Switzerland, saying it was proof of the country's attractiveness. As an independent country, Switzerland is in a position to find its own customised solutions, and it is this independence and the associated free-state political order that has enabled our great prosperity. Another key prerequisite for the unabated attractiveness of Switzerland, said Mr Maurer, is its national defence which enables the long-term stable and safe conditions within which the population as well as the economy can flourish freely. Basel wouldn't be the same without Baselworld "Basel without Baselworld is something I simply can't imagine", said Basel-Stadt Cantonal Council Member, Christoph Brutschin. Baselworld, with its decades of history, has become an integral part of Basel. Business, culture and society in Basel and the surrounding area also benefit from this event, with its enormous international standing. "Baselworld has been and continues to be a positive and effective showcase for our city and the region", stressed Mr Brutschin. Lifestyle sector on the rise Baselworld is in turn expecting a trend towards lifestyle at its 2014 show. Over the last decade, watch and jewellery brands have become an important barometer for the lifestyle sector. Even fashion designers, industry designers and marketing experts from a highly diverse range of industries are increasingly finding inspiration at this superlative event. The pavilions and presentations are often designed and staged by world-famous architects. Celebrities from all over the world stroll through the exhibition's over 30 kilometres of extensive walkways. As for what makes Baselworld so appealing, Sylvie Ritter, its Managing Director, summed it up by saying: "We have an outstanding product with the world's most prominent brands under one roof." Industry appears optimistic The president of the exhibitors' committee, Jacques J. Duchêne, seems optimistic with regard to the future of the sector. "We are generally in a good position as an industry and have the forward-looking markets clearly in our sights", he says. Baselworld is traditionally an important meeting point for the industry. Buyers of watches and jewellery, the most prominent brands and a perfectly developed infrastructure are all to be found in Basel. "And what's more – nowhere else in the world will you find the most important watch brands, jewellery and precious stones under one roof", adds Mr Duchêne.

Jaeger-Lecoultre - Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire

The new version of the Duomère à Quantième Lunaire comes with a 40.5 mm case in 18-carat white gold, a perfectly well proportioned size. In keeping with the extremely high quality of its movement, it features an immaculate dial crafted in Grand Feu enamel. This spectacularly shiny, absolutely pure dial is extremely complex to create and results in a timepiece with a truly exceptional face.

 

 

Day, date month... Gear wheels, adjustments, energy... Because running such an elaborate complication as a calendar within a classic watch naturally has a detrimental effect on the precision of the time indications, the watchmakers at Jaeger-LeCoultre knew they had found in the Dual-Wing concept an instrument capable of creating a perfect alchemy: a calendar watch that was as accurate as a chronometer.

Arranged on the elegant and easily readable dial, the hours, minutes, seconds and moon-phase displays appear to make the Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire a classic watch model. But inside the case and partially hidden from view beats Calibre 381, a prodigious movement boasting unprecedented precision based on the Dual-Wing concept and which propels the watch firmly into the spheres of Haute Horlogerie.

 

 

The truly extraordinary appearance of the watch lies in the actual concept behind the Dual- Wing movement, which is distinguished by the presence of two independent energy sources, each with a 50-hour power reserve: the first, regulated by the escapement and the balance, is entirely dedicated to the precise measurement of the passing of time; whereas the second source of energy is devoted to the display of the functions: hours, minutes, seconds, calendar and moon phase. Their synchronisation is ensured by the jumping seconds hand mechanism.

This Duomètre à Quantième Lunaire brilliantly illustrates the extreme research undertaken in the laboratory-workshops of Jaeger-LeCoultre: this watch reaches the heights of precision with a jumping seconds hand moving in sixth of a second increments while displaying the date and the moon phase on a separate subdial.

 

 

Through in-depth study and a willingness to challenge the fundamental principles of horological theory, the Jaeger-LeCoultre specialists have succeeded in creating a calendar watch in accordance with the Dual-Wing concept – a principle featuring exceptional characteristics that enable a degree of rating precision that was previously the exclusive preserve of timepieces free of any complications.
Only the expertise accumulated over more than 180 years could thus enable Jaeger-LeCoultre to begin writing a new chapter in the history of Fine Watchmaking...

 

 

 

Movement
• Mechanical manually-wound Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 381, crafted, assembled and decorated by hand
• 21,600 vibrations per hour
• 50-hour power reserve
• 367 parts
• 40 jewels
• 7.25 mm thick
• 33.70 mm in diameter
• Two independent barrels
Functions
• Hours, minutes, seconds, and jumping stop seconds with zero/reset system, date, moon phase, power reserve
• Regulator power reserve
Dial
• Grand Feu enamel
Hands
• Hours and minutes: “leaf” type
• seconds : baton type with leaf-shaped counterweight
Crowns
• One crown to wind the watch and adjust the hours and minutes • One push-piece to adjust the date
• One corrector to adjust the moon phase
Case
• ø 40.5 mm, thickness : 13.40 mm
• 18-carat white gold
• Polished and satin-brushed finish
• sapphire crystal, cambered on the dial side, hardness no. 9, glareproofed on front and back • water resistance : 5 bar
Strap
• in blue alligator leather with 18-carat white gold pin buckle
Reference
• Q60435E1, 18-carat white gold