Hublot has just revealed a thrilling series of Big Bang Depeche Mode watches, specially created to support a joint fundraising initiative of the renowned Swiss brand and the famous British music band. A part of the proceeds from the sale of 250 timepieces will benefit charity: water, a non-profit organization that is devoted to bring safe drinking water to the developing world. Made of black ceramic, with the bold design that goes in line with the aesthetics of Depeche Mode, this exclusive model has all qualities to become a highly sought-after collectors’ item.
At a special event, organized in Berlin by Hublot and Depeche Mode, the members of the electro-pop band, Hublot Chairman Jean-Claude Biver, and Scott Harrison, the founder and the CEO of charity: water, together announced a special charity collaboration, which will be the part of the Depeche Mode 2013-2014 Delta Machine Tour. As we are used to when it comes to Hublot’s charitable activities, the Swiss watchmaker dedicated an entire watch edition to the noble cause and to its partners in the project. With its cool “all in black” style and striking “Clous Pyramide” decorations, the Big Bang Depeche Mode chronograph seems to be one of the most interesting and the most original limited editions in the last couple of years.
A characteristic Big Bang case with the diameter of 44mm is crafted in micro-blasted black ceramic. Matching in color and material, a bezel fixed by 6 black PVD titanium screws is highlighted by a pretty cool “Clous Pyramide” decoration. Bezel lug and lateral inserts are made of black composite resin, while a crown comes in black PVD steel with a black rubber insert.
A micro-blasted black skeleton dial partially opens a view on mechanical parts. It features applied markers in Clous Pyramide shape, made of micro-blasted ruthenium, as well as three chrono sub-dials and a date window. Faceted and polished hands with black nickel coating are treated with black SuperLuminova™. Perfectly following the overall design, a leather strap with Clous Pyramide shaped, polymer resin injection is sewn onto the brand’s signature black rubber that guarantees a great comfort on the wrist.
Inside the case, there is an in-house HUB4214 Aerobang chronograph movement. Visible through a sapphire-crystal case-back that shows “Depeche Mode” and “Charity: Water” logo transfers, this self-winding mechanism is built of 257 and 27 jewels. Its frequency is 28,800 vibrations per hour, while its power-reserve lasts up to 42 hours.
The Big Bang Depeche Mode will be released along with an international advertising campaign that will follow the band’s 2013 summer European tour.
The Extension of the Successful Partnership
Three years ago, the Swiss watchmaker and Depeche Mode worked together in order to benefit the Teenage Cancer Trust, organizing a fundraising event at London’s Royal Albert Hall which included a special auction of 12 exclusive boxed sets with Hublot ‘pièce unique’ watches and the brand’s excusive albums. This year, they have extended their partnership on a larger scale by supporting charity: water’s struggle to supply people in developing countries with safe drinking water, since nearly 800 million people in the world lack access to it. Until now, this non-profit organization has provided access to clean, safe drinking water to more than 3.2 million people in 20 countries.
“I have personally been a supporter and advocate of charity: water for a while now, so I’m thrilled that we as a band can expand our support for the organization and help to make significant difference in places around the world struggling without a proper supply of drinking water”, said Depeche Mode’s founding member, Martin Gore. Charity: water arranged a multi-faceted partnership with Hublot and Depeche Mode over the next year, and as its CEO Scott Harrison believes, this will help developing global awareness about the water issue.
