Press release
The new edition of the Big Bang in the colours of the English football champions was presented in Hang Zhou (China) during the Red Devils' Asian Tour. Hublot wished to mark the occasion with something a little special, and set the players a spectacular challenge: to shoot the ball from a river bank into a goal placed 16m away on a boat!
The diameter of the target, represented by the dial of the new Big Bang Red Devil, was only 10cm larger than the ball itself. For each goal scored, the Brand agreed to pay $250,000 to the HOPE Foundation (www.hope-ef.org). Paul Scholes, Ji-Sung Park, Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra eagerly took up the challenge, but none managed to score despite taking two practice shots. Rio Ferdinand came agonisingly close! Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill (Manchester United CEO) and Jean-Claude Biver couldn't resist the temptation to have a go themselves … very nearly succeeding, with Sir Alex grazing the target with a shot struck with his smart dress shoe!
Jean-Claude Biver eventually boarded a boat to symbolically place the ball in the target and present a cheque to the representatives of the Hope Foundation - actress Miss Lee Xing Jie and singer Miss Xu Ru Yun. Hublot had agreed to pay a minimum of $100,000 if no goals were scored, to which the Brand's CEO added $10,000 in recognition of the Foundation's work and the success of the event.
The second Big Bang Red Devil series is a 99-piece limited edition. This new sporty yet sophisticated pink gold model is mounted on a rubber Alligator strap consisting of a rubber interior stitched to an upper alligator layer. The watch features a 45-minute counter at 9 o'clock and the "Red Devil" logo at 3 o'clock. Fans of both Manchester United and the Big Bang will be smitten!
TECHNICAL DATA
Case: “Big Bang” diameter 44.5 mm in 5N gold, with satin-finish end pieces
Bezel: Black, satin-polished ceramic with 6 titanium H-shaped screws – sunken, polished and blocked
Crystal: Sapphire crystal with interior/exterior anti-reflection treatment
Bezel lug: Black composite resin
Lateral inserts: Black composite resin
Back: Gold 5N with sapphire crystal, interior anti-reflection treatment with opaque Manchester United logo
Crown: 5N gold with black rubber insert
Push-pieces: 5N, rectangular with black rubber insert
Water-resistance: 100 m or 10 ATM
Dial: Matt black microblasted with red index appliqués markers, yellow motion-work, 45-minute counter with yellow figures at 9:00, red Red Devil logo in the counter at 3:00
Hands: Brilliant black with yellow luminescent feature, red chronograph hand
Movement: 45-minute counter mechanical chronograph with automatic winding, Hublot HUB45 calibre
No of components: 252
Rubies: 55
Bridges: Polished, satin-finish with chamfered edges
Screws: Black PVD
Calendar: Rectangular aperture at 6:00 with yellow date
Oscillating weight: Tungsten carbide with dimpled surface coated with black PVD
Bottom plate: Sand-blasted; rhodium-plated
Barrel: With reinforced spring
Escapement: Glucydur balance spring
Power reserve: 42 hours
Strap: Adjustable black Gummy alligator
Clasp: 5N gold and black PVD deployant clasp
Limited Edition 99 numbered pieces 01/99 - 99/99
