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The FIFA World Cup’s History with Watches Continues with Hublot
After four years, the World Cup is back! And no luxury watch brand is more committed to the beautiful game than Hublot. Not only is the brand the official timekeeper of the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, but they are also launching an innovative new Gen 3 connected to help soccer fanatics keep track of all the action.
Hublot is no fair-weather football fan. Since 2006, they have partnered with the Euros and the Premier League, clubs like Juventus, Chelsea, AFC Ajax, and Benfica, and players such as Pelé, José Mourinho, Didier Deschamps, and superstar French striker Kylian Mbappé. So to get warmed up for next month’s tournament, here are our top five football-related moments in Hublot history.
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Classic Fusion 45mm Chronograph Pelé
Hublot has an all-star lineup of soccer-related brand ambassadors, including superstar French striker Kylian Mbappé and Team USA’s Alex Morgan. But the best-loved spokesperson for the brand is Pelé.
Born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, the Brazilian footballer is regarded not only as one of the greatest soccer players ever, but is also amongst the most popular athletes of our time. In 2014, Hublot honoured his accomplishments with a watch: the limited edition Classic Fusion Pelé. This skeletonized chronograph 45mm timepiece featured a polished and satin-finished black ceramic case, bezel, crown, and push-pieces. One of the chrono displays peaked out from underneath a cutout of a soccer ball. And the sapphire case back was etched with Pelé’s autograph — something we all wanted as kids.
The Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
While soccer players are the star of the show, events like the FIFA World Cup couldn’t happen without officials. Hublot paid tribute to this often maligned position with The Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia timepiece. This connected watch was practical in that it used goal-line technology, vibrating when the ball crosses the line. Ref Nestor Pitana even used it during the France vs. Croatia final. For armchair refs, the Big Bang Referee featured a countdown to specific matches, notifications of the game starting times, and live statistics – while also vibrating and displaying the word “GOAL” whenever one was scored.
The Big Bang E Premier League
In sports, timing is everything. Hublot has become a household name in football timekeeping, with partnerships and timekeeping responsibilities for the UEFA European Championships (known as the Euros), the UEFA Champions League, and the Premier League.
In 2021, the brand launched the limited edition Big Bang E Premier League. This timepiece was presented with a purple dial and strap — the iconic colour of the Premier League. The E in the name may as well mean emotion – this watch represents an evolution of its connected Big Bang collection which was a smartwatch aimed directly at collectors.
The Classic Fusion Chronograph Juventus 45mm
If you are a super fan of Juventus, Chelsea, AFC Ajax, and Benfica, Hublot can set you up some super swag. Hublot has partnered with some of the world’s most prestigious football clubs to create a signature watch.
Our favourite is the Classic Fusion Chronograph Juventus 45mm from 2018. It marries Hublot’s mastery of materials (the watch features a striking 45mm black ceramic case with a black PVD titanium bezel and a black carbon fibre insert) with the Turin team’s 120-year history (the Juventus Football Club logo is printed at 3 o’clock).
The Big Bang E FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022
For this year’s tournament, Hublot has unveiled the Big Bang E FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, a third-generation connected watch with new features designed to deliver the action straight to the wrists and hearts of fans.
This watch boasts a bigger screen with improved high-definition resolution. It also comes equipped with a newly designed app so you can countdown to the most anticipated matches. From the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador on November 20, a special timeline function will give you team line-ups and player profiles before the start of each game. And when the ref signals the kickoff, the watch will automatically enter “match mode” to capture the most memorable moments.
