A wet dream union...Hublot and Manchester United
Press Release(back in late 2008)
Hublot has announced its partnership with the legendary Football Club Manchester United, in the mythical stadium of Old Traf ford. The most prominent members of Manchester United Family, amongst which Manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the Chief Executive David Gill, the players Cristiano Ronaldo, Carlos Tevez, Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Anderson and Ji-Sung Park, gathered with Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver at the launch event in the heart of the “Theatre of Dreams”.
It was 8pm sharp the night before when Hublot made its first appearance as official Timekeeper of Manchester United. The official presentation of the Red Devil Bang watch to the Manager Sir Alex Ferguson took place a few minutes before the kick-off of the Premier League game between Manchester United and West Ham. The number 0 of this special limited edition watch produced to celebrate this historical sponsorship was given to the Manchester United Foundation representative Mr John Shiels to be auctioned at the annual gala dinner of the Foundation on Nov.9.
At the press conference held today in Old Trafford, in the presence of Jean-Claude Biver, David Gill, Sir Alex Ferguson, John Shiels and some of the stars of Manchester, the 3-years sponsorship deal was confirmed.
“This is an extraordinary partnership for Hublot, Manchester United is the Club n° 1 in the world, well known for its tradition, its excellence and the legendary players who have made and are still making the success of the Club … The Red Devils, they make us dream ! Hublot got involved in football’s world 2 years ago and today we are Official timekeeper of the most prestigious Club of the world, we’re very proud ! “ said Mr Biver.
Speaking about the deal, David Gill said, "We're delighted to welcome such a prestigious partner as Hublot to the Manchester United family. Their reputation for excellence and innovation makes them a fitting and exciting sponsor for the Club. Sir Alex is well known as a stickler for timekeeping both on and off the pitch, now we have a partner that shares his passion!"
After the winning bet of the Euro 2008, where Hublot became the first luxury brand to enter into football and the sponsoring of successful National teams such as Spain (2008 European champions) this tie-up with this Club was a logical move forward and a logical step forward in the strategy of the brand.-end of press release-
My story :
Let me take you back 20 years, when my love affair with Manchester United started. I was a teenager then, and Sir Alex has been manager of a disunited Manchester United for 4 years. In 1990, ManU just won their first first silverware, the FA Cup against Crystal Palace. This is the start of a two decade long success, not replicated by any other football team since. in 1991, ManU won 2-1 against a spirited Barcelona side, with lead striker Mark Hughes scoring twice, leading ManU to a European Cup Winners Cup, their first in over 20 years ! League Cup in 92, and league champions in 93, with supestars like Eric Cantona wearing his infamous no7 jersey, and goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel. Late 90s saw the start of youngsters like Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Neville brothers, Paul Scholes and future captain Roy Keane. By 1997, they have won 4 league championship….heady times for the team, and me. I was cheering for ManU, almost as loud as i wa jeering every other team. I was studying in UK then, and being in the nation that founded soccer, and living it up for the weekend fixtures. The 98/99 season, remains my most memorable….the year ManU won the FA Cup, League championship, UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club WorldCup…a feat unrepeated by ANY teams. Since 1990…35 trophies won !!!
Fast forward to 2009, ManU has sold their top scorer and FIFA rated world best footballer Christino Ronaldo. Sir Alex was meant to retire the year before, aging superstars from the late 90s like Giggs and Scholes stared into their faces of retirement. The future does not look bright for ManU, especially after winning the UEFA Champions League in 2008. ManU supporters like me fret over every player purchase and sales, tactics and strategies, rumous and hearsays. For weeks after the sale of superstar Ronaldo, there were despondency in the air and desperation in our voices, and sorrows were drowned in wines and spirits.
15 August 2009. Saturday. Start of the 2009/2010 season. I was worried about how ManU will do in their first match post Ronaldo the next day. Should I be superstitious and wear red underwear ? should i say a quick prayer during Sunday mass for them ? same day fellow title challengers Chelsea and Arsenal win their opening matches, and arch-cross city rival Manchester City won their opening fixture too. News broke that Rio Ferdinard, ManU’s captain and defense anchor out with thigh injury. Situation looks bleak. After a nail-biting night, I knew what to do.
16 August 2009, i walked into a Hublot AD and bought the Man U Big Bang. 6 hours later, ManU beat Birmingham City 1-0, with Wayne Rooney rising to the challenge and scoring. ManU did not win the league championship, but we did walk away with League Cup and Community Shield, and this season, we are currently leading in the league championship. We have also just beaten Chelsea last night in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions league. Things are looking good, whilst i wear the ManU Big Bang.
The Watch :
the watch is a limited edition 500 piece affair, featuring the HUB45 caliber, a black satin polished ceramic case and bezel with H-titanium screws. the bezel lugs are made from red composite resins. other attractive features include the Man-U logo and i love the yellow luminescent hands. unique feature is also a 45 min counter, reflecting each half times taken for a soccer match(ignoring extra time!!)
By the way, in typical Mr Biver fashion, some money is donated from the sale of every watch to "Manchester United Foudation", which is a charity that aids young people thru football related activities.
thanks for reading this rather lengthy post.
all watches tell time, few spell passion and drama.
Best,
Horo
Thank you for sharing your wonderful story.
Although I am not familiar with either soccer or rugby (sorry...), the word "passion" is something I can understand very well.
Thanks for sharing. I am touched 
Ken
thank you for the opportunity
I do not wear the watch much, and its always ManU matchday that I wear it. but its a watch that has a story, a passion. I live thru nail biting moments with the watch, go thru misery when we lose, and ecstasy when we win. we have Rolex for crowning moments, Pateks for next generation, but i will always have this humble Hublot for my team of 20 years.
best,
Horo
As much as i don't like soccer, I have to admit...
I read the whole post and for sure this particular Big Bang will be a special watch for you !
Thank you for sharing this story !
Thanks mate
Sometimes a watch is a watch is a watch. If there is no history, drama, romance, affiliations, or passion, it's just an object.
One thing about soccer, it's a weekly event for 9 months of the year, and that's just the domestic league. Throw in a whole host of other competition and European events, it's almost year long encompassing. Thus the passion driven.
Thks fr reading,
Best,
Horo