219's 2011 report vividly captures the grand opening of Hublot's London boutique on Bond Street, an event that blended luxury watchmaking with celebrity spectacle. This article highlights the brand's strategic expansion and the unique atmosphere of a Hublot launch, while also addressing community feedback on customer experience.
In their continuation of the world domination of haute horologie world, Hublot have opened up a Boutique on Bond Street. This has been well awaited and the face of Bond Street has been slowly changing as more and more brands have opened up dedicated Boutiques. The London Boutique is under the auspices of the Marcus Marguilies who was also in attendance. The opening of any Hublot Boutique resembles more the Hollywood premiere of a movie than the opening of a watch salon, but with Mr Jean Claude Biver in attendance, representatives from the media, and Hublot TV to generate buzz, the event was over attended and lived up to the hype.
Opening the Boutique was the original bad boy of tennis from the 1970’s: Ilie Nastase. When tennis was more a sport associated with reflexes and athleticism rather than power serves, over sized raquets, and baseline grunts. Nastase was known for his ability to both entertain the crowd (and was nicknamed the Bucharest Buffoon) and play mercurial shots at the most critical points of the match. He is one of the 5 players in tennis history to win more than 100 titles. Nastase lost the Wimbledon final twice; first in 1972 in an epic encounter with Stan Smith, then again in 1976 against Bjorn Borg. I watched the latter final and remember that Nastase had been the favourite against a relative unknown player from Sweden whose style was more suited for the clay courts of the French Open. Nastase had the misfortune to meet a player who was at the start of becoming a tennis playing legend; Borg won in 3 straight sets. A watch to commemorate Nastase’s achievements was launched at the store opening.
This was the 36th store to open up in the Hublot Boutique empire and certainly was about time one opened up in London! The opening party had attracted a crowd of celebrities and most of London’s media. I understood from the organizers that if everyone had turned up there would be about 250 people present and theoretically, no one could then move in the boutique.
Also on show outside of the Boutique was a new Morgan AeroMax, which I have to confess is a fabulous car to see close up.
For the actual opening ceremony itself, Jean Claude Biver asked everyone to be outside the store so that the ribbon could be cut. This caused most of the traffic on Bond Street to also grind to a halt. The ribbon was cut, the traditional bandana making was evident, and everyone then filtered back inside to enjoy the champagne and food.
Not surprisingly, the food was Swiss! With cheese from Jean Claude Biver’s own farm, along with cured meats and breads. A number of Hublot special editions adorned the cabinets, including the F1 range, but the pride of place went to the Nastase Bang watch.
[Liked the Special Edition cufflinks]
What was unique about a Hublot store opening was the convivial, jovial, and friendly atmosphere. This was heightened by the attendance of Jean Claude Biver’s family at the opening. As I was trying to get photo’s of the ribbon cutting, I was standing on a bollard in the road as I noticed a lady being edged back on the pavement. I asked if she would care to stand where I was to avoid the crowd. “On no” she replied, “that’s my husband, I see him every day!” Made me laugh. It was Mrs Biver!.
On presenting the watch to the press, Nastase remarked that at last, after 65 years, he has a decent watch to wear! Ever the entertainer!
A wonderful evening and wishing the Hublot Boutique on Bond Street every success!
Andrew H
This message has been edited by 219 on 2011-06-27 06:09:49 This message has been edited by 219 on 2011-06-27 06:15:38 
