Hublot Honors the Fastest Man with a Watch Designed After Him
The fastest man in the world has earned a most fitting recognition not in the guise of a medal or award, but of a watch: the King Power Usain Bolt.
To mark this monumental year in sport history, Swiss brand Hublot, for whom Usain “Lightning” Bolt is an ambassador, fashioned this special model in close consultation with the champion. “It’s perfectly natural to be associated with the fastest man, not just on the planet, but the fastest since the Big Bang” Jean-Claude Biver, Hublot Chairman, said.
Bolt, a young achiever at 25, recently opened his season completing his first individual 100 metres in just 9.82 seconds at the National Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. This as he prepares to defend three titles in London this summer: the 100, 200 and 4X100 metres. “It’s a good start, I would say. It’s certainly better than last season (upon his return). I feel better than last year, so I’m definitely happy with myself,” Bolt said, who outdid his own record last year of 9.91 seconds in Rome.
The famed runner wanted his watch be a fusion of the symbols representing everything he holds dear, manifestations of his distinguished talent. His unique silhouette pose, a masterful signature, lies on an anthracite grey transfer on a black background in the centre of the movement’s permanent small seconds counter, positioned at 9 o’clock. The chronograph also features a central 60-second hand and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, which could serve him well in his crucial preparation routine during the final countdown prior to each race.
A 12-hour chronograph counter sits at 6 o’clock, and is decorated with a standout touch of green alluding to the colours on the flag of Bolt’s beloved home, Jamaica. A date window at 4:30 seals the iconic design.
The 48 mm-diameter watch, in micro-blasted ceramic, is predominantly black with gold—Bolt’s own color and that of his lucky fetish shoes—adding a further symbolic touch. The flange features a 2N gold powder coating and the strap is made from exactly the same gold-colored synthetic leather as his shoes. This specific pair of shoes attested to his stellar performance in breaking the world records in Beijing in 2008. The strap is then stitched onto black rubber, a Hublot signature that guarantees comfort, strength and flexibility.
By manufacturing a special watch in honor of Bolt, who might as well be the real world’s version of Flash, Hublot hopes that he continuously strives for excellence this season with this watch as a most trusted companion, a durable confidant fit for a sports king.
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