Hublot is launching two Big Bang Unico and one Classic Fusion in partnership with the Argentinean Football Association —AFA. These watches celebrate the ongoing triumphs of one of the most legendary national teams in soccer/football. Some years are more important than others and for football fans, and supporters of the Argentinean team, 2022 was one of those years. On Sunday, December 18, 2022, Argentina and France finished level at three-all in the final but, in the end, it was Argentina that won their third World Cup 4-2 on penalties. This marked a historic moment not only for Argentina but also for Hublot.
Having been involved with football since 2006, the Nyon-based Manufacture had begun its partnership with the Argentinean Football Association —AFA— just four months earlier; The watchmaking company and the national team had decided to join forces on September 1st, 2022.
Already the Official Timekeeper of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, this year, Hublot has now successfully created a fusion between the Argentinean team and the World Cup it won on 18 December 2022. Hublot's love for Argentina is nothing new. In 2010, the Nyon-based Manufacture unveiled a Big Bang Maradona limited to 250 pieces, and the love story didn't end there. When Hublot and the AFA merged their talents in 2022, Hublot produced 100 Big Bang e-pieces in honour of Argentina. Today marks the first time that Hublot has produced a series of mechanical chronographs exclusively for the AFA.
Photo: Rodrigo De Paul, Emiliano Martinez, Cuti Romero, Germàn Pezzella and Marcos Acuna from the Argentinean National Football Team.
To celebrate this exceptional journey which, since the final on December 18, 2022, has placed Argentina at the center of the footballing world, Hublot is paying tribute to the AFA in 2024 by launching three special editions for all its fans: two Big Bang Unico and one Classic Fusion. These special editions have three things in common. All three are limited editions, two in titanium and one in King Gold.
The new Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium AFA ref. 441.NE.2080.RX.AFA24 is available in a limited edition of 25 pieces, the Hublot Big Bang Unico AFA King Gold ref. 441.OE.2080.RX.AFA24 is available in a limited edition of 10 pieces, and lastly, the Hublot Classic Fusion AFA in titanium ref. 521.NL.7180.RX.AFA24 is available in a limited edition of 140 pieces. The Big Bang Unico references sport a case measuring 42 mm in diameter, while the Classic Fusion Chronograph is equipped with a case measuring 45 mm in diameter.
All three models are chronographs which is the ultimate complication for sporting feats. The two Big Bangs are driven by the latest-generation Unico Manufacture automatic movement calibre HUB1280 with a power reserve of 72 hours, while the Classic Fusion is powered by the automatic calibre HUB1143 with a power reserve of 42 hours.
Finally, the third point in common is that they are all dressed in blue, the color 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. All three watches feature the logo of the FIFA World Cup Trophy that was presented in 1974 to replace the Jules Rimet trophy. While the Big Bang Unico AFA watches are delivered with two straps —white and sky blue structured lined rubber and white structured lined rubber—, the Classic Fusion is only delivered with a blue lined rubber strap.
Sticker Price USD 38,700 for Big Bang King Gold, USD 22,900 for Big Bang Titanium, and USD 15,400 Classic Fusion Titanium. For more info on Hublot click here.
