Brazil FIFA World Cup: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono

Swiss watch manufacturer Hublot signed an exclusive rights deal with FIFA in 2010 to be the official timekeepers of the Soccer World Cup. This arrangement has now been extended to 2022 and will cover the Brazilian World Cup in 2014, the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This collaboration between FIFA and Hublot has garnered the prestigious watch brand a massive amount of publicity and has made them a household name across the globe. The Hublot Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono

Unveiling the official 2014 timepiece

As the official timekeepers of the Soccer World Cup it is traditional that Hublot releases a limited edition wrist watch to commemorate the event. The 2014 watch is the 'Big Bang' Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono and many collectors have already dubbed this timepiece the 'Soccer Bang'. Hublot Watch buyers will have to move fast if they want to own one of these timepieces as the 18 carat King gold version featuring a carbon fibre bezel is limited to only 100 pieces, and the ceramic black version featuring a carbon fibre bezel is only being manufactured 200 times. Both timepieces will be presented in Hublot’s signature Big Bang UNICO watch case, which measures around 45mm and packages the watch in a stylish and sophisticated polished, protective container.

Key features of the Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono

Watch buyers will be interested to note that the Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono involves 385 components and that the timepiece beats at the rate of 4Hz. The movement is the HUB1260 and features a self-winding mechanism. This watch is Hublot’s pioneer piece in bi-retrograde movement technology and boasts a central chronograph and matt black satin-finish dial. This watch is water resistant up to approximately 100 meters and has a power reserve of an estimated 72 hours. Each model features 44 jewels and a ribbed and structured durable rubber strap.

World Cup inspiration

The Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono has been designed to include elements of the Soccer World Cup and plays homage to the host country, Brazil. The watches minute and second hands display the green and yellow national colours of Brazil and are offset against the pieces black face. The 45 minute point on the watch is in red to represent half time in a soccer match and extra time and added time are also displayed between 0-15 minutes and 45 to 60 minutes. A tiny aperture at the 12 o’clock mark indicates how the length of time is being measured and is indicated as first half, half time, second half ending and then match end. All of these features draw their inspiration from the game of soccer and are a tribute to Hublot’s association with FIFA. As the official timekeepers of the 2014 Soccer World Cup in Brazil Hublot could not have created a better looking timepiece. It's stylish, classic and modern and it takes inspiration from a great game that can create world champions in a single second.