“The Special One” is the nickname of football manager José Mourinho. His watch, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Special One is to be produced in a limited series of 200 pieces.
“If I hadn’t already known his nickname, I’d definitely have given him the same one after meeting him: José really is a one-off, unique in his nature and his expectations,” commented Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot. “Qualities that we share. Mourinho and Hublot, The Special Two!”
José Mourinho, is without doubt the best-known football manager on the planet. And with good reason, given that many believe him to be the best football tactician of his generation, winning wherever he goes: Portuguese champion with FC Porto, English champion with Chelsea, Italian champion with Inter Milan and Spanish champion with Real Madrid. A list of achievements to which we can add two Champions League victories and an unequalled home record, unbeaten in 150 league matches over eight seasons and 183 cup matches. Add to that his strategic gifts and a deliberately provocative sense of humour, and the result is someone who deserves his nickname: The Special One.
“Today, I’m honoured to receive a second watch bearing my name from Hublot, and I’m particularly happy about this one,” said José “The Special One” Mourinho, Manchester United manager. “Since we started working together, I’ve been extremely impressed by the work ethic, technical knowledge and inventiveness of the brand’s watchmakers and engineers. Values that are very useful on the football pitch. And above all, we share the same passion, the same madness: football!”
José Mourinho is currently the manager of Manchester United. But that’s not the only team he’s a member of: he’s been part of the family of Hublot ambassadors since 2014. This partnership was celebrated in London on 28 November at an event dedicated to team spirit. With an interview with José Mourinho led by Ricardo Guadalupe; fast-paced patter from master of ceremonies Mark Pougatch and a surprise concert by international artist Julian Perretta, it was a colourful evening! The highlight was undoubtedly when José Mourinho himself asked the 120 guests to unveil the limited edition, with 10 Big Bang Unico Special One watches hidden in the centrepiece of each table.
This version of the Big Bang design is adorned in blue. Why blue? Because it’s José Mourinho’s favourite colour. He always wears a touch of blue, whether it’s his suit, tie or shirt. So blue is painted straight onto the bezel and 45-mm polished ceramic case. Why red? Because, as José Mourinho explains, red gives character. The dial, with hints of red and black, is skeletonised so as to reveal Hublot’s Unico manufacture flyback chronograph movement, the calibre HUB1242. The movement can also be seen from the back through the transparent sapphire case back and offers a 72-hour power reserve. The rubber-lined alligator strap boasts the same blue shade as the watch, adorned by red top-stitching.
A limited edition of 200 timepieces, the Big Bang Unico Special One is presented in a box in the same blue shade as the watch itself, enhanced here and there with touches of black and red, sporting José Mourinho’s signature in the window and containing a personalised Moleskine notebook.
