Hublot Creates Fusion... and Begs the Question - Why?

What do Polo, Ferrari and Gstaad have to do with each other?  

You'll be forgiven if you reach the same conclusion that I did when I received the bon mots describing Hublot's latest PR foray -
for the record, I have absolutely no idea.  And I have even less of one after reading the press release.  For those of us who cover these things there is, inevitably, a moment where you realize that it really doesn't matter any longer what you think.  So we'll let Hublot be Hublot, and provide you with the press release, and you can make your own determination.

Courtesy of Hublot

Hublot climbs the alpine pastures for a polo tournament at an altitude of more than 1000 metres 

120 horses on the field, the equivalent of up to 963 under the Ferrari bonnet (LaFerrari) and 253 powering the Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chronograph...
driving a hunger for speed and accuracy. 

"A fusion of power, speed, accuracy and elegance, polo, Ferrari, Gstaad, and Hublot find a natural fellowship on the field. Partners turned friends. When our friends celebrate an anniversary, we naturally want to celebrate with them. The Hublot Polo Gold Cup Gstaad emerged as an ideal event to host one of the tributes planned this year in celebration of the 70th anniversary of Ferrari's own legendary prancing horse. Our partnerships offer opportunities to surpass ourselves, to join forces in pursuit of ever greater excellence, creativity and innovation. The Classic Fusion Chronograph Chukker and the Techframe Ferrari 70 years Tourbillon Chronograph are the ultimate embodiment of this."
Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot

From the 17th to the 20th August 2017, Gstaad and the surrounding fields of its airport were transformed into Argentinian-style pampas. 6000 spectators felt the ground shake as 16 of the top Polo players on the circuit took to the fields creating a blur of hooves and mallets, all sporting the colours of the Hublot Polo Gold Cup. For the 9th consecutive year, Hublot's hosts were taken on an immersive journey through the legendary world of its collaboration with the prancing horse brand, which this year celebrates its 70th anniversary... 

The tournament - a category 6 on the circuit - is one of the most prestigious in Europe. For the first time, it hosted four teams with a total handicap of 14 - the highest level ever played on Swiss soil.
After the qualifying round on Thursday 17th August and the semi-finals on Saturday 19th August, “Banque Eric Sturdza” beat “Riva” to secure overall victory. 

As the tournament's Official Timekeeper, Hublot and its Classic Fusion Chronograph Chukker – a bi-compax chronograph – counted the 7.5 minutes of each of the 24 chukkers played during the competition1. A watch designed for polo in microblasted titanium dressed in the colours of the sport of kings.

In the Hublot x Ferrari pop-up store, all eyes were on the new Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chronograph. Designed by Ferrari; produced by Hublot. Conceived like a sports car, its design was based on the HUB6311 movement, a new Hublot manufacture calibre featuring a chronograph tourbillon, 253 components and a 115-hour power reserve, with an ultra-high-performance case/chassis built on a lattice structure never before seen in watchmaking. Three elements – the skeleton case middle, container and case-back – made from Hublot King Gold, titanium, or a brand new strong, hypoallergenic material, PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) carbon.
A partner to some of the most prestigious polo clubs and tournaments on the circuit, Hublot is a major player in the sport of kings.

A Fusion of Goofy and Goofier

From Hublot -

Courtesy of Hublot

James, you don't understand.  It's FUSION!

Yes, because nothing is as timeless and eternal as... concrete!  It would seem that the company holiday party came early in Nyon, because it seems quite possible that someone in the design department got into an all night game of quarters with someone in marketing and they ran out of beer and switched to -

Shamelessy Borrowed from the World-Wide Info-Web

Because frankly, the idea of a watch with a concrete bezel is one that regardless of how you spin it, sounds like the type of lager-fueled decision that you tend to think better of in the sober light of day.

But, hey, Hublot feels that you should like this because it is, well, Hublot ; )

Here's the skinny, straight from the source -

Tristan Eaton, New York City street artist, shared, “'When I moved to New York City it was an unknown beast, as beautiful as it was intimidating. I was there alone with no money, no friends and no choice but to charge into the concrete jungle, armed with paint and ready for a fight! 18 years later, the City has made me the artist I am today.  Paying tribute to this gorgeous metropolis is a welcome opportunity, but it must be done right. A city this monumental deserves a work as equally as strong and beautiful. Hublot is one of the only brands worthy to partner on this tribute to my time in the concrete jungle.”

And you KNOW that even the artist is fully behind the project when he is wearing it on his wrist -

Courtesy of Hublot

Oh, wait!  That's Tristan Eaton on the LEFT!  Now I'm no expert on this latest Hublot, but my guess is that is NOT it on his wrist...

But just remember, there is nothing more timeless, more eternal than concrete -

Shamelessly Borrowed from the World-Wide Info-web

Let's just hope that when/if your bezel cracks you can get moved up the schedule at the City Hall meeting ; )

Fusion - from Auguste Reymond

Courtesy of Auguste Reymond

This is the Fusion from Auguste Reymond.  Auguste Reymond is one of those brands that we all remember from the recent past that never quite caught on here in North America.  With new management, and renewed interest from customers in the US, we should be seeing quite a bit more from the folks from Tramelan!

www.augustereymond.ch