The BIG BANG UNICO RETROGRADE KOBE ”VINO” BRYANT is created in a limited edition of 200 pieces in ceramic and 100 pieces in King Gold.
Luxury Swiss watch brand, Hublot, recently raised a glass (a wine glass, that is,) in Napa Valley to unveil its newest watch — created in cooperation with brand ambassador, basketball star Kobe Bryant. The Big Bang UNICO Chronograph Retrograde Kobe “Vino” Bryant watch debut coincided with the opening of the brand’s first boutique in San Francisco.This is the second timepiece the brand has produced with the basketball legend( the first was the King Power Black Mamba Chronograph in 2013).
Recently, our friends at IW Magazine, took a closer look at the watch, and this is what editor in chief, Michael Thompson had to say:
Kobe Bryant with Ricardo Guadalupe of Hublot
NBA legend Kobe Bryant says he’s improving as he ages, much like a fine wine. When it came time to design his second timepiece with Hublot not long ago, Bryant decided to blend the arts of wine making and watch making to create the design theme for the next Kobe Bryant limited edition timepiece. Hublot and Bryant debuted that new watch, the Big Bang UNICO Chronograph Retrograde Kobe “Vino” Bryant, this week at a private wine club in Napa Valley.
Known as the Big Bang Vino, (a nod to Bryant’s newest nickname Vino), the timepiece is very likely the first mechanical watch designed to time basketball. It’s a retrograde chronograph using Hublot’s own UNICO manufacture movement, with two central retrograde column-wheel chronograph hands. The red seconds hand and gold hour hand allow the wearer to time two halves of a basketball game. The 45.5mm watch is available in Ceramic (200 units) and King Gold (100 units) and features a burgundy python strap, stitching and dial. The dial features a basketball design integrated into a matte burgundy multilayer disc. On the case back is a green glass made of “rare earth minerals” that carries Kobe Bryant’s signature.
“It is an honor to launch my second Hublot timepiece, Vino,” says Bryant. “When I joined the Hublot family, the Black Mamba was a natural fit, but we also discussed the relationship between basketball, watchmaking and wine; specifically, the dedication of the wine makers to making that perfect blend, the effort that goes into the maturation process and the attention to detail that goes into the art of watchmaking,” he added.
The watch measures 45.5mm in diameter and has titanium and rubber accents. As stated above, this watch is designed to measure the two halves of a basketball game via the red seconds hand and gold hour hand.
The night before the Vino debut, Hublot and new ambassador, professional golfer Justin Rose, opened Hublot’s 12th U.S. boutique, located at 174 Geary Street in San Francisco. Hublot again teamed with Westime to open and operate the boutique. The Los Angeles-based watch retailer in 2011 also opened Hublot’s Beverly Hills boutique.
“We are thrilled to celebrate these two exciting milestones for our brand – our first store opening in San Francisco with Justin Rose and our latest timepiece with superstar Kobe Bryant,” said Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe.
The Big BangUNICO Chronograph Retrograde Kobe “Vino” Bryant watch will retail for $29,100 in ceramic and for $47,500 in King Gold.
