Hublot Launches A Trio Of Watches To Celebrate Argentinian Football World Cup Victory
4 min read
18th December 2022 marked a historic moment in the lives of every Argentinian football fan as the world witnessed the national football team lift the coveted World Cup after a thrilling victory against France. However it was not just Argentina that exhuberantly celebrated the win. Having been involved with football since 2006, Hublot had begun its partnership with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) just four months earlier; The watchmaking company and the national team had decided to join forces on 1 September that same year. Already the Official Timekeeper of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Hublot has now successfully created a fusion between the Argentine team and the World Cup victory.
In 2010, the Nyon-based Manufacture unveiled a Big Bang Maradona limited to 250 pieces laying down the foundation for this long standing association. When Hublot and the AFA merged their talents in 2022, Hublot produced 100 Big Bang pieces in honour of Argentina. And today marks the first time that Hublot has produced a series of mechanical chronographs exclusively for the AFA.
To celebrate this exceptional journey which, since the final on 18 December 2022, has placed Argentina at the centre of the footballing world, Hublot is paying tribute to the AFA by launching three special editions for all its fans: two Big Bang Unicos and one Classic Fusion.
These special editions have three points in common. Firstly: all three are limited editions: the Big Bang Unico Titanium AFA (25 pcs), King Gold (10 pcs) and Classic Fusion AFA (140 pcs). Secondly: all three models are chronographs: the ultimate complication for sporting feats. The two Big Bangs are driven by the latest-generation Unico Manufacture movement – the HUB1280 – while the Classic Fusion is powered by the HUB1143 calibre. Matching with the team’s jersey, all three models are all dressed in blue, the colour of Argentina. The national flag of Argentina features blue stripes, and the two Big Bangs pay tribute to the national team's home kit with this same shade of sky blue. For away matches, the team wears a navy blue shirt, which has been reproduced on the Classic Fusion.
The most exclusive of the three pieces is the Big Bang Unico King Gold, which is available as a limited edition of 10 pieces. Measuring 42 mm in diameter, it features a ceramic bezel in sky blue to match the official jersey of the AFA – the Albiceleste – a shade which is also picked up on the piece's rubber strap. The case and pushers are made of King Gold, Hublot's proprietary alloy containing platinum. This alloy offers a warmer gold colour than traditional 18K 5N gold. The indexes, hands and counters on the dial side also feature King Gold.
At 9 o'clock, the small seconds is laser-engraved with a reproduction of the authentic World Cup, as won in 2022. The same detail is found on the Big Bang Unico Titanium – available in a limited edition of 25 pieces with which it also shares a ceramic bezel and strap in Albiceleste sky blue. Finally, the 45-mm Classic Fusion Chronograph Titanium sports the navy blue of the team's away kit. This colour features on the ceramic bezel and strap, as well as on the sunray dial of this limited edition of 140 pieces.
"What makes Hublot different in the world of football is not only the strength of its commitment to our players and teams, but also its loyalty. The "Hublot loves Football" campaign has been running for almost 20 years now. Our fans feel this love and know this passion: it's an emotional, intimate bond between us. We are very proud to have three limited series that celebrate the fusion of our sporting and watchmaking talents,” said Claudio Tapia President, Argentine Football Association (AFA)
