Ulysse Nardin Global CEO Patrik Hoffmann Announces Partnership with Five-Time Cy Young Award Winner Randy Johnson and “The Big Unit” Watch to Launch 2012/2013

By Seth Semilof | June 6, 2012

Haute Time spent the last weekend at the JCK/Luxury and Couture shows in Las Vegas. On Saturday night, we hosted an exclusive dinner at Lavo for 40 Ulysse Nardin retailers around the United States. During dinner, we were told about an upcoming special event where Ulysse Nardin would announce the partnership with five-time Cy Young Award winner Randy Johnson as well as “The Big Unit” watch, set to launch late in 2012/early 2013 and at special boutiques by early 2013.

We took the flight from Las Vegas to Phoenix to be part of this special event: the first time Ulysse Nardin has partnered with an athlete.

The event started at the Owners’ private box at the Arizona Diamondbacks game, where Ulysse Nardin Global CEO Patrik Hoffmann showed Randy Johnson sketches of the watches, along with the packaging of the box (appropriately fashioned in white with red stitching). The occasion was to officially announce the partnership, which would benefit the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow Neurological Institute.

As a dedicated supporter of Ulysse Nardin, it was great to see this partnership come to be. Johnson first met the Ulysse Nardin team two years ago at the opening of the brand’s boutique in Boca Raton, Florida. It was then that Hoffmann, something of a baseball fanatic, met Johnson and realized that he would be a true ambassador to the brand. Johnson is known for his reputation as a watch collector and has been a Ulysse Nardin client for years.

“Randy Johnson is a Ulysse Nardin enthusiast and is the epitome of excellence on the pitcher’s mound,” Hoffmann said. “As a company, our quest is to be exceptional, and we are thrilled to be teaming up with an American sports icon who understands our pledge to innovative watchmaking.”

During the announcement, Johnson talked to the media and posed for photos, even taking a few pictures on his iPhone. “I am honored to be an ambassador for a company and brand that offers watch lovers like me perfection in quality, utility and style,” Johnson said. “I am a huge fan of Ulysse Nardin’s timepieces, and am really looking forward to wearing the limited-edition ‘The Big Unit’ watch.”

Haute Time had the pleasure of spending time with the Ulysse Nardin team, Marketing guru Jodi Moore, West Coast Rep Ahmad Shariar and of course Global CEO Patrik Hoffmann. As you can see from the photos, it was very much about business, fun, and most importantly, giving back.