Often considered by many as the 'Holy Grail' of football, the UEFA Champions League was formed in 1955 (rebranded in 1992, it was earlier known as European Cup) and brought all the European clubs that are members of UEFA, and those clubs that finish in the top four positions of their strongest domestic leagues, under one umbrella tournament. The Champions League final is no less than a theatrical event where the winning team proves to be the best not only in its respective domestic league but is also crowned the European club champion. From one best to another, Hublot has been associated with the Champions League since 2016, when it became the Official Timekeeper for both Champions League. For the 2022 season, Hublot has unveiled its new Big Bang Unico UEFA Champions League Ref 441.EX.5129.RX.UCL22, which is a 42mm ceramic watch and limited to only 100 pieces.
Hublot's association with football goes back to 2006, when it sponsored the Swiss National Football Team, becoming the first luxury brand to enter the world of football. As the 2022 season starts in September and Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey is all set to host the finals, exciting days have indeed arrived for all football fans who will witness referees sport the new Big Bang Unico UEFA Champions League watch.
The latest chronograph by the Swiss watchmaker features a variety of details that are dedicated to the UEFA Champions League. Limited to just 100 units, the new Big Bang Unico UEFA Champions League is presented in a micro-blasted ceramic blue case topped by a matching fixed circular bezel. The 42mm ceramic watch's openworked dial remains perfectly legible and features Arabic hour markers in addition to sword-shaped timekeeping hands. The chronograph timepiece comes with the UEFA Champions League logo at 9 o'clock and a minutes window located at 3 o'clock position. It also consists of two stainless steel pushers at 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock to start and restart the chronograph complication respectively. What's more, the watch comprises a transparent caseback with an engraving of the UEFA logo as an extra commemorative touch to signify the special release from Hublot.
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Powering the new Big Bang Unico UEFA Champions League is the self-winding flyback calibre HUB1280 (Unico 2), an advanced chronograph movement that allows referees to time key moments during a match. Beating at a frequency of 4Hz, the movement delivers a power reserve of up to 72 hours. The chronograph is water-resistant up to 100 meters and is secured to the wrist with a black and blue-lined rubber strap, paired with a ceramic and black titane deployant buckle.
Images: Courtesy Hublot