L-R: Jean-François Sberro, Anthony Shriver, George Hincapie, Christian Vande Velde, Barry Bonds

September 6, 2018 [Woodside, CA] – Tonight, Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot unveiled its second limited-edition timepiece in partnership with Best Buddies, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating opportunities for friendship, employment and leadership training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  The event also served as a kick-off to the annual Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle cycling race taking place this weekend on Saturday, September 8.

To celebrate the new watch, President of Hublot North America, Jean-François Sberro and Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Best Buddies International, Anthony K. Shriver hosted an intimate launch event at the private home of Robert and Trina Dean. The Deans are long-time supporters of Best Buddies, having participated in the Best Buddies Challenge: Hearst Castle for many years and maintaining close ties to the organization in the Bay Area.

Media, friends of both brands, and Bay Area-socials enjoyed cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and music by DJ Chris Clouse before taking their seats for a dinner al fresco. Award-winning cyclists and Best Buddies International ambassadors George Hincapie and Christian Vande Velde arrived with Best Buddies program participants BJ White and Larry Larkin to present the new timepiece to the guests.  Other notable attendees included All-Star baseball legend Barry Bonds, former NBA point guard Beno Udrih, and philanthropist Steve Hearst.

 Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, shared: “Best Buddies is a wonderful charity that provides friendship and opportunities to so many people with special needs. Hublot has been committed to Best Buddies for years, and we are excited to continue our partnership both to raise money and awareness for them so that they can further their mission.”

 Anthony K. Shriver, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Best Buddies International, commented: “Best Buddies International is incredibly honored to have the ongoing support of luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot with the launch of a second limited-edition timepiece benefiting our programs in the United States and globally. Since 2015, Hublot has been an integral part of the Best Buddies family in our efforts to create a more inclusive world for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).  I am proud to wear the new Hublot timepiece, which embodies the true spirit of Best Buddies and Hublot’s remarkable commitment to our mission. I am thrilled to embark on this new phase of our partnership through 2021, which will continue to build awareness for Best Buddies and provide people with IDD the opportunity to showcase their amazing talents and abilities to excel throughout their lifetimes.”

 Patrick Schwarzenegger, actor and Ambassador for Best Buddies, noted: “I am proud to support Hublot’s partnership with Best Buddies, an organization that I am incredibly passionate about. Hublot’s generosity and commitment to supporting Best Buddies’ mission of friendship and inclusion will transform lives for the better and help create a world that respects and celebrates individuals with special abilities.”

The Big Bang Unico Best Buddies Limited Edition is a lightweight timepiece inspired by the sport of cycling.  The case is made of nearly weightless Texalium, a coated carbon fiber material, housing the in-house manufactured UNICO chronograph movement for which Hublot is known.  The straps come in two exciting options: black Velcro with orange stitching, and black rubber / orange alligator with orange stitching.  The palette is inspired by the philanthropy’s colors, with the iconic Keith Haring logo on the sapphire exposition case back.  A portion of proceeds from the watch itself will benefit the organization, in addition to the partnership support provided by Hublot.

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BIG BANG UNICO BEST BUDDIES LIMITED EDITION

Reference:                    411.YT.1199.NR.BBE18
Limitation:                   LIMITED EDITION XXX/100
Diameter:                     45 mm
Thickness:                    15.45 mm
Water Resistant:         10 ATM (100m)
Case:                              Carbon fiber and black Texalium upper layer
Bezel:                             Carbon fiber and black Texalium upper layer
Bezel Lug:                     Black composite resin
Lateral inserts:            Black composite resin
Screws « H »:              Polished titanium black PVD
Glass:                            Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
Crown:                          Satin-finished titanium black PVD with black rubber insert
Pushers:                       Satin-finished titanium black PVD
Case back:                    Carbon fiber and black Texalium upper layer
Engraved “LIMITED EDITON”, “N° XXX/100”
Case back Glass:         Sapphire with interior anti-reflective treatment; “BEST BUDDIES” logo printed on the inner side
Dial:                             Mat black skeleton
Satin-finished black plated appliques with orange luminescent
Hands:                         Satin-finished black plated hands with orange luminescent
Movement Caliber:   Hublot HUB1242
UNICO Manufacture self-winding chronograph flyback movement with column wheel
Dimensions:               Dia. 30mm (13^1/4’’’); Thickness 8.05mm
Date:                            Skeleton calendar display at 4.3
N° of Components:       330
Jewels:                             38
Frequency (Hz):             4 (28’800 A/h)
Power Reserve:             72 Hours
Strap 1:                           Black Velcro Strap with orange stitching
Strap 2:                          Black rubber and orange alligator with orange stitching
Buckle:                           Black PVD Titanium with black ceramic insert deployant buckle clasp

US MEDIA CONTACT:

Taylor Boozan – tboozan@paulwilmot.com

+1 212.206.7447

HUBLOT INTERNATIONAL MEDIA CONTACT
Annabelle Galley – a.galley@hublot.ch

+41 (0)22 990 90 00

ABOUT HUBLOT

Hublot, meaning, “A different way to progress,” say those who know this unique Swiss luxury watch company, where each and every moment moves forward to create the future at breathtaking speed. A dream initiated and developed by Hublot’s Chairman Jean-Claude Biver with CEO Ricardo Guadalupe when they took control of the brand in 2004. These two men are responsible for turning the Hublot brand into a genuine success story in which the Big Bang, Classic Fusion, and MP Manufacture Pieces Collection represent the symbols of a constantly evolving tradition.

From in-house watch complications, including award-winning minute repeaters and tourbillons, to revolutionary materials such as patented and scratch resistant Magic Gold, colored Texalium carbon fiber, and transparent and colored sapphire cases to world class collaborations such as Ferrari, FIFA™ World Cup, and Italia Independent, Hublot characterizes itself through the “Art of Fusion” philosophy, bringing tradition into the future.

ABOUT BEST BUDDIES

Best Buddies® is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Founded in 1989 by Anthony K. Shriver, Best Buddies is a vibrant organization that has grown from one original chapter to nearly 2,500 middle school, high school, and college chapters worldwide. Today, Best Buddies’ eight formal programs — Middle Schools, High Schools, Colleges, Citizens, e-Buddies®, Jobs, Ambassadors, and Promoters — engage participants in each of the 50 states and in 50 countries, positively impacting the lives of more than 1.2 million people with and without disabilities around the world. In many cases, as a result of their involvement with Best Buddies, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities secure rewarding jobs, live on their own, become inspirational leaders, and make lifelong friendships. For more information, please visit www.bestbuddies.org, facebook.com/bestbuddies or twitter.com/bestbuddies.

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