The Transfer Window Opens - Welcome to Crazy Town

Well for those who were on the edge of their pool floats or chaise lounges, fear not! The transfer window is apparently still open and though this is more fish-wrap than news at this point, let's get caught up, shall we?

News was strategically placed with that bastion of impartial reporting Hodinkee (oops, coffee just shot out of my nose and I need to take break to wipe the screen) that "Arnault, the even younger" had a case of the fidgets and hiked up his leg to more firmly "mark" his territory around the halls of LVMH's watch division. Long story short? Former favorite of God (JC Biver) Ricardo Guadalupe (you may remember him from such jobs as "CEO of Hublot") has either decided, or been asked, to sling his hook and take it on the arches. Now the official word is that he will be assuming the position of "Honorary President" of Hublot, which essentially means he won't be required to go to board meetings and he can play out his contract. He is only 59, so I tend to doubt that this will be his last stop, but you never know.

I have no doubt this suits junior just fine as Guadalupe was the last of Biver's palace guards, and know the only thing he is running is Jack and shit, and Jack just left town.

But then the other intriguing turn - fresh off of a truly stunning few months at Tag Heuer (yes, that was sarcasm) Julian Tornare leaves La Chaux-de-Fonds in the rearview as he heads south to Geneva to lead product placement firm Hublot. 

Rumor has it they make watches as well ;)

Now the other funny bit in all of this is reading the commentary from some of my more well-heeled colleagues in Watch Town's Fourth and Fifth Estate claiming that Mr. G had spent too much time and focus on brand partnerships and famous "chums". It is clear that they slept through the Biver years at Hublot ; ) 

This is made even funnier when notable conspiracy theorist and pro football player Aaron Rogers was picked to "Reach His Star" (still the worst tagline ever) on behalf of Zenith. So look for more NFL quarterbacks to be joining the Hublot stable now that Tornare can indulge in fantasy football picks with a real budget to throw at them.

But then perhaps the goofiest turn of events came from independent brand Audemars Piguet. You might have heard of them, old family owned independent brand with one and a half product collections? It would seem that although the Royal Oak continues to be hotter than Satan's jockstrap, Hodinkee's personally anointed sage on all things horology and pop music has been tipped to be a special envoy. So needless to say, Hodinkee will now be able to rhapsodize about which version of the Royal Oak best sets off a tattoo sleeve with leather jacket sleeve zhuzhed. Give me strength...

Here is the info, straight from AP -

A unique collaboration.
We are thrilled to announce that we have appointed the iconic American singer, guitarist, and watch collector, John Mayer, as our “creative conduit”.
In this unique role, John Mayer will not only act as a channel of creativity, pushing the brand to explore new horizons and elevate our technical, aesthetic, and ergonomic developments, but he will also serve as an important translator between Audemars Piguet and watch enthusiasts worldwide. His collector’s eye and deep insight will guide us in innovating to meet the ever-evolving needs and expectations of our clients.

Okay, I have absolutely zero idea what a "creative conduit" is, but this new "job" for Mr. M truly begs credulity. I mean, unless he has some idea to save the 1/2 product family the ill-fated Code 11.59, 'cause that is one turd that seems to refuse to be flushed....

Do you mean to tell me that Audemars Piguet, with more cash than some small third-world GNPs, and with 1 of their 1.5 product families having one of the most sought after watches of all time needs a man notable for these bon mots which he dropped in an interview with noted watch collector enthusiast magazine, Playboy -

“My d–k is sort of like a white supremacist,” Mayer went on. “I’ve got a Benetton heart and a f—in David Duke cock. I’m going to start dating separately from my d–k.”

Well, I guess AP knows what their doing...

Let's hope Mr. Mayer keeps "little David Duke" in his pants, it's Le Brassus, not Las Vegas.

The Big Bang Unico SORAI

Santa Clause returns to Nyon!



When it comes to good causes, I am an unapologetic pain the ass.  And that it is why it is so fantastic to see the folks at Hublot bring Christmas a bit early, with perhaps the greatest gift of all, the gift of more time, possibly even the gift of life for some of the earth's most vulnerable, and therefore valuable animals.  And to see that instead of the cynical value of death and trophies, Hublot and SORAI see the true value of these amazing animals, that they are far too valuable to be anything BUT alive.

This is the Big Bang SORAI From Hublot -

Courtesy of Hublot

Okay, longtime readers of Tempus Fugit know that I love rhinos and elephants.  I have a particular soft spot for organizations working to save them.

So BRAVO SORAI for the work you are doing to save rhinos, and BRAVO Hublot for your willingness to step up and support this very important venture.

Now for better or worse, I am an English Teaching Social Worker (yes, there is such a thing) so the closest I get to wearing an Hublot is during press visits at BaselWorld.  But with this type of a partnership, with this type of stewardship of an important cause?  Well for once I can say that if I had the means, I would be purchasing one of these right away!  And those of you out there who know me, when it comes to rhino and elephant conservation, I am not given to false hyperbole.

Courtesy of Hub-lot

The Big Bang Unico SORAI is limited to 100 pieces.  My further understanding is a portion of each piece sold will go to help fund the efforts of SORAI.

Here are the pertinents on the watch:

REFERENCE
411.CZ.4620.NR.SOA19 Limited to 100 pieces

CASE
Microblasted beige ceramic Diameter: 45mm Thickness: 15.45mm
Water resistance: 10 ATM (100m)

CASE-BACK
Microblasted beige ceramic Engraved “LIMITED EDITION” XX/100

BEZEL
Microblasted beige ceramic

DIAL
Matte beige skeleton “LIYONGBO” applique at 9 o’clock
Beige lacquered appliques with white luminescent

MOVEMENT
HUB1242: UNICO Manufacture self-winding chronograph
Frequency: 4 Hz (28'800 A/h) Power reserve: 72 Hours No.of Components: 330 Jewels: 38

STRAPS & BUCKLE
Black rubber with camouflage décor or beige velcro strap
Black PVD titanium with black ceramic insert deployant buckle clasp

PRICE (On 23rd of September 2019)
22’900 CHF 23’800 EUR 24’100 USD 19’900 GBP

Courtesy of HUBLOT

Here is the rest of the info, straight from Hublot -

Act with Hublot to conserve rhinoceroses,         
             a biodiversity emergency

Two-thirds of rhinoceros species may disappear in our lifetime, which would be an irreversible loss for our planet; and its main cause is poaching. Hublot has committed to a partnership with Kevin Pietersen and SORAI – Save Our Rhino Africa India – to conserve rhinoceroses threatened with extinction. This commitment takes the form of the Big Bang Unico SORAI, from which a large proportion of the funds raised from sales will be directly paid to Care for Wild for the care and conservation of orphaned baby rhinoceroses, and to the South African National Parks agency to reinforce their nocturnal surveillance capabilities using airborne thermal intelligence tools. In buying the time piece, 100 people will thus become involved in this initiative undertaken by Hublot on the recommendations of SORAI.

"The illegal trade in rhino horn and poaching was one of the subjects debated in Geneva last August during the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), demonstrating the urgency with which action is now needed. Staying ahead of poachers is a race against time, every time. Using innovative technologies such as thermal intelligence, surveillance teams can stay ahead of the poachers. We are proud and delighted to support Kevin Pietersen’s SORAI organisation in this goal for our future generations and global biodiversity."
Ricardo Guadalupe CEO Hublot

"This collaboration between Hublot and SORAI has allowed us a platform to give huge amounts of visibility to an incredible cause, on a global scale. By partnering, we are doubling the voices on this cause - and I'm so pleased that Hublot is now supporting the rhinos and their conservation quest. I’m looking forward to future and sharing the amazing story of SORAI with the world."
Kevin Pietersen Founder of SORAI

Big Bang Unico SORAI
Symbolic of the alliance, this 45-mm ceramic dial has donned the sandy tones of the sumptuous African bush and houses the image of a white rhinoceros. Strapped onto a matching NATO bracelet, the Big Bang Unico SORAI can express its commitment with personality by adopting the camouflage style of the second bracelet, made of rubber. The selective vulcanisation technology produces motifs in long-lasting colours that are perfectly drawn with an accuracy of a tenth of a millimetre, a first in the watchmaking world. This timepiece will be released as a special edition of 100 models.

The largest rhinoceros sanctuary in the world
Care for Wild, founded in 2001 by Petronel Nieuwoudt, is the largest rhino orphanage and sanctuary in the world. Its mission is to ensure the continued existence of these species for our future generations. When it is left alone because its parents have been killed by poachers, an orphaned baby rhinoceros has virtually no chance of survival. Care for Wild ensures their protection, growth and well-being in secured environments that are equipped with 24/7 video surveillance and communication networks, watched over by mobile units, dogs and their masters who are trained to counter poachers, and with aerial support.

South African National Parks
This body created in 1926 manages the 19 national parks in South Africa, including the most majestic, Kruger National Park, with its 20,000 km2 of animals roaming freely. Thanks to the funds obtained, South African National Parks will be able to acquire nocturnal airborne thermal intelligence technology, additional and efficient means to fight against poaching. Its teams will thus be able to localise rhinoceroses, intervene more rapidly, and protect the greatest number of these mammals sought after for their invaluable horns.

Sucker Punch

You ever feel like it's Groundhog Day?

Courtesy of Hublot

So it seems that memories are short, and the desire for publicity has once again exceeded the bounds of good taste and common sense.

Now I believe in second chances, and I believe in forgiveness.  But I also believe that from a public relations perspective, Hublot is sending a pretty clear message.  Mr. Mayweather is, indeed, a fine boxer.  He is also a polarizing figure among the sporting world and (if I am honest), among those of us who write about watches when he keeps being brought back by Hublot as a brand ambassador.  And it seems that the controversy is stirred up again thanks to some statements made by his would be opponent in the upcoming fight -

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/boxing/mayweather-mcgregor/floyd-mayweather-domestic-violence-conor-mcgregor-cj-watson-josie-harris-statement-a7865896.html

Again, I believe in forgiveness, and I believe in redemption.  But I also believe in brand ambassadors that do not alienate such a large group of people.

So I want to make a proposal, and I hope that Mr. Guadalupe and his boss Mr. Biver are reading this -

Donate a substantial amount of money to a shelter for battered women.  It might help sooth the less-than-pleasant memories of your previous and current partnership with a man who has been cited for domestic violence and assault in the past. 

I absolutely get and understand that business is business.  But maybe it is time to look for partnerships that might actually help you convey a more "warm and fuzzy" image to the buying public?

Or, you can continue to offer "entertainment" in the form of grown men beating the shit out of each other so rich people can eat and drink too much and enjoy a modern day gladiator spectacle.

The choice is yours.

And in the interest of letting you, the reader, make your own call, I leave you with the bon mots of Hublot's CEO -

Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, shared: “Once again, we have the great honor to partner with a true living legend, Floyd Mayweather, ‘The Best Ever,’ for what is sure to be the ‘Fight of the Millennium.’ In line with Hublot’s ‘First, Different, Unique’ brand ethos, Mayweather previously never had a brand adorn his boxing shorts until our ‘knockout’ partnership in 2015. I am thrilled to partner with him again in the same way. We look forward to the match this weekend and hope for a repeat performance of 2015, cementing his undefeated record! The collaboration continues the brand’s long history in support of the noble art of boxing and celebrating the Legend of the Legends.”