On Friday 26 January at the Hublot boutique in Milan, Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot watches, and Martin Gore of Depeche Mode announced the Big Bang Depeche Mode "The Singles" Limited Edition, a limited edition of 55 uniques pieces, one for each single and all based on the iconic Hublot Big Bang model. Net proceeds from the sale of these pieces will be go to charity: water, as part of the larger charity initiative between Depeche Mode, Hublot and charity: water. The watch brand and the music band will officially present the charity organization with a cheque for all funds raised during the partnership.
On this occasion, Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot said: “Depeche Mode are iconic in the history of contemporary music. We identify with their passion, stronger now than ever, and with their constantly growing creativity. We are lucky enough to share many values with them, including the commitment to the activities of the charity: water NGO. This new and unique collection of 55 different pieces plays tribute to their incredible career while aptly celebrating our common ground. A new collector’s edition grew out of this!”
“We are greatly honoured and moved by Hublot’s support of charity: water with this new collection of watches commemorating all of our singles,” declared for his part Martin Gore of Depeche Mode - one of the most influential, beloved and best-selling musical acts. In its 37-year career, the band have sold over 100 million records worldwide, played to more than 30 million fans since their formation in 1981 and released an incredible 55 singles, from “Dreaming of Me” in 1981 to last year’s release of “Cover Me”.
The 55 unique pieces
Each of the watches features, on its dial, a disc that partially shows the image of the record cover it represents, which is reminiscent of the very first model produced by the partnership between Hublot and Depeche Mode. The back of each watch features the entire cover of the single as well as the charity: water logo. These two elements are imprinted on the sapphire of the glass opening onto the famous automatic UNICO movement. Produced by the Hublot manufacture, it provides a power reserve of 72 hours. Each piece will be fitted with a strap in a colour specific to each model, completed with cuff straps in the same hue, and rock-and-roll-inspired rubber studs. This accessory is perforated on its back, so as to showcase the glass on the back of the watch and its movement.
A final detail making the Big Bang Depeche Mode “The Singles” collection even more exclusive: a Roland JP-08 synthesiser will accompany each timepiece. The Roland JP-08 is a limited-edition synth module from the Roland Boutique series, paying homage to and recreating the sounds of the legendary Roland Jupiter 8 synth, used by Depeche Mode throughout the years. Legendary luggage manufacturer RIMOWA has created a cabin size Topas Stealth suitcase in anodized black aluminium to showcase this unique collection. This sleek custom-made case will protect each package – the unique timepiece, synthesiser, corresponding vinyl single and certificate of authenticity signed by the band. The rock star kit is thus complete!
The charity organization
Based in New York City, charity: water is a non-profit organization whose mission is to bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries worldwide. Depeche Mode and Hublot have actively supported charity: water since 2013, with their first partnership bringing safe, clean water to over 30,000 people in Nepal and Ethiopia. The current partnership aims to have an even greater impact, bringing clean water to an additional 50,000 people. It is estimated that 663 million people (or 1 in 10 people) in the world lack access to safe drinking water. This lack of safe water spreads disease, compromises safety, makes education elusive, and impedes the economic empowerment of citizens of developing nations.
