Hublot Scales Skyscrapers, Raps with Wyclef Jean and Celebrates New York Boutique Opening with Usain Bolt, Pele and Peter Marino
It’s been a busy two days in New York City for luxury watch brand Hublot, which has pulled out all the stops when it comes to celebrating the opening of its new boutique and to unveiling some pretty impressive collections.
Yesterday, the brand celebrated the opening of its Fifth Avenue flagship store in typical Hublot Big-Bang style. A duo of dancers repelled down the Hublot store front in perfectly choreographed unison – grabbing the attention of onlookers all around who “oohed and aahhed” as the dancers kicked themselves off the building, embraced, did a few swing steps in mid air and continued their trek to the street.
At the conclusion of the spectacular event, Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot –along with famed brand ambassadors Usain Bolt (the fastest man alive), soccer god Pele’ and architect Peter Marino – completed a ribbon-cutting ceremony and unveiled the new boutique. Marino, who designed the brand’s largest USA store with two-story drama, performed the actual ribbon cutting.
At the event, Pelé noted, “I’m honored to be here in New York on behalf of Hublot as it celebrates this exciting milestone. I have a long history with Hublot and am thrilled to be able to witness the brand’s continued growth.”
The boutique on Fifth Avenue between 57th and 58th streets is not the first collaboration the brand has had with Peter Marino, but it is the tallest Hublot store in the world. The façade features powder black aluminum panels that stretch 70 feet above street level. Inside, the use of unusual materials (including fabric wall coverings, graphite-colored leather seating, stainless steel fixtures and more) reflect Hublot’s singular message: The Art of Fusion.
After the ribbon cutting, inside the boutique, all eyes were on Usain Bolt, who showed off his newest limited-edition watch created in time for the upcoming Olympic Games this summer in Brazil, where he will be running to capture new titles. The new watch houses the in-house-made UNICO movement and offers flyback chronograph. It is offered in a yellow gold version with gold strap or in a ceramic version with gold and green accents that pay tribute to Bolt’s home country of Jamaica.
Additionally, it is the 10th anniversary of the Big Bang All Black watch and an array of incredible black-on-black timepieces graced vitrines. Later that evening the brand hosted an elaborate event at the Guggenheim Museum, where famed recording artist, Grammy winner and rapper Wyclef Jean performed in honor of the 10th anniversary of the All Black watch. Making it a true New York experience, the Alumni Boys Choir of Harlem opened the act.
The All Black was the first “invisible visibility” black on black concept watch in the industry. The foyer of the museum offered a display of watches in a creative black and white presentation by Swiss graphic artist Maxime Büchi.
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