Ferrari and Hublot

This is the latest Ferrari co-branded effort from Hublot -

The BIG BANG FERRARI BLACK CERAMIC

 

Courtesy of Hublot

Limited to 250 pieces, this is reference  401.CX.1123.VR (Black ceramic) - 

Limited edition of 250 pieces 

The case is crafted of black ceramic, with a matching bezel.  The "H" titanium screws are black PVD treated titanium which are countersunk into the bezel.

The strap is black rubber, red Schedoni leather with blue and white stripes with red stitching and secured by a black pvd deployment clasp.

Courtesy of Hublot

And the BIG BANG FERRARI GREY CERAMIC, also limited to 250 pieces

401.FX.1123.VR (Grey ceramic) - Limited edition of 250 pieces, matching ceramic bezel.  The bezel screws are titanium.

The strap is Black rubber, Schedoni leather grey with black and white stripes, with grey stitching, finished with a titanium deployment buckle.

Under the hood is Hublot's HUB 1241 Unico movement which features a flyback chronograph feature.

Jumping the Shark on the "Pilgrimage Trail"

So…..

With Christopher Ward's latest release - the C70 3527 GT, the Shark has officially been jumped.

Courtesy of Christopher Ward

Essentially, you can buy a watch with a piece of scrap metal from the chassis of a Ferrari...

Big Baller

According to the Urban Dictionary:

Originating from a term referring to a very talented basketball player, typically a pro or from "street ball", who lives lavishly--this phrase is commonly used to refer now to anyone who likes to "live large".

And in fairness, we are still living through the hangover of the big ballers of the past 20 years in the watch industry.  And when we think about big ballers, we often let our minds wander to a sexy machine - like a Ferarri.  So it would seem natural, that if we like watches, and we like sexy sports cars, why wouldn't we want a Ferrari watch?!?  

As we are now more firmly into the "Post Biver" era of Hublot, the Hublot/Ferrari partnership rolls onward.We are all familiar with all of the arguments for such partnerships - prestige, the VALUE of the BRAND identity of Ferrari, and of course my favorite - CHINA! They're trying to push more firmly into the Chinese market!  Of course, this little partnership will solve EVERYTHING!

Or not…

First and foremost, it is not exactly a formula that has worked too well for other brands, most recently a tiny little firm - Panerai.  The Ferrari / watch partnership has not been an unqualified success for the watch partners involved.

But it's about exclusivity!  Really?  When we take this into consideration - i.e the "exclusivity" - why, oh why does Movado have a licensing/partnership deal of their own with Ferrari?  Maybe they could also have one with Timex?  Oh, wait, I know, how about Invicta - I mean seeing as we want it to be "EXCLUSIVE" and all, I am sure that exclusivity will really shine through once it hits SHOP NBC!

Here's the thing, I am not denying in any way, shape or form that Ferrari is seductive.  They make beautiful cars, have a storied tradition and if we're very honest, Magnum PI would not have been nearly the same if he drove a Porsche - and certainly not a Corvette ; )

But if you're going to be exclusive...