Comments:
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
I've been lucky enough to stuff my fat face with JCB's wonderful cheese on several occasions and am salivating at the sight of it here. Indeed Hublot events do have a great atmosphere!
Thanks for the post and super pictures
I am glad that the Nastie Bang, announced in Bucharest when I also had the pleasure to meet you, finally came out. It really looks nice!
Best regards,
R B
A Nastie Bang on Bond Street: the Official Opening of the London Hublot Boutique.
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
Thank you for covering, Andrew H!
I was waiting for this!
Wonderful opening event, as usual and I am glad that Mr. Biver looks fine.
Hublot plans to open 15 stores this year and at least 10 more to go, if my memory serves me right. Folks, if you see Hublot Store under construction near you and want to know when to open, please feel free to ask me. I will let you know and have you invited for the opening ceremony - in return, you will have to take pics and post report here
Thanks again, Andrew, for your wonderful report. I am so glad and impressed (again).
Best,
Ken
Wonderful opening event, as usual and I am glad that Mr. Biver looks fine.
Hublot plans to open 15 stores this year and at least 10 more to go, if my memory serves me right. Folks, if you see Hublot Store under construction near you and want to know when to open, please feel free to ask me. I will let you know and have you invited for the opening ceremony - in return, you will have to take pics and post report here
Thanks again, Andrew, for your wonderful report. I am so glad and impressed (again).
Best,
Ken
Making me hungry!
I've been lucky enough to stuff my fat face with JCB's wonderful cheese on several occasions and am salivating at the sight of it here. Indeed Hublot events do have a great atmosphere!
Thanks for the post and super pictures
Thanks for the report... shame about the shop!
Thanks for the report, it looks like a great opening party for the store and yummy food!
My only comment after going into the store yesterday (yes it is small but perfectly formed) is that the staff are certainly not the level of those in other Hublot Boutiques and stores which I have had time to visit. I am not sure if this is due to the location of being in Bond Street (shouldn't make a difference) and for me only being dressed in my normal jeans and shirt, but asking to see any watch was met with the look of someone walking off the street not knowing the difference between a quartz and a real mechanical timepiece! Maybe if I had put my credit card on the counter next to a tourbillon they might have even smiled!
Well it can hopefully only get better (new sales staff maybe?) and the Nastie Bang is a lovely watch!
Cheers
Andrew
My only comment after going into the store yesterday (yes it is small but perfectly formed) is that the staff are certainly not the level of those in other Hublot Boutiques and stores which I have had time to visit. I am not sure if this is due to the location of being in Bond Street (shouldn't make a difference) and for me only being dressed in my normal jeans and shirt, but asking to see any watch was met with the look of someone walking off the street not knowing the difference between a quartz and a real mechanical timepiece! Maybe if I had put my credit card on the counter next to a tourbillon they might have even smiled!
Well it can hopefully only get better (new sales staff maybe?) and the Nastie Bang is a lovely watch!
Cheers
Andrew
I've only once been to Bond Street, but that was exactly my impression in several shops
I guess we both must look a little disreputable
that's the worst that can happen in a shop
I am so sorry for that !
Our store in London is a franchise store and I will inform the owner about that shame
It's 100% opposite to what I want the people to behave in a Hublot store
One can ask the question if we should not only have our 100% owned stores in future
Andrew sorry for that, but I am sure you know me and that what happened is not Hublot behavior, nor is it Hublot style and culture
Our store in London is a franchise store and I will inform the owner about that shame
It's 100% opposite to what I want the people to behave in a Hublot store
One can ask the question if we should not only have our 100% owned stores in future
Andrew sorry for that, but I am sure you know me and that what happened is not Hublot behavior, nor is it Hublot style and culture
No problem!
Thank you for your response Jean-Claude, as always it is appreciated you posting on these forums and putting in your thoughts. You know it is not going to put me off your brand or buying the next wonderful creation.
Apart from the lost excitement of a new Hublot boutique, it is no problem for me as I already knew that it is not one of your 'own' shops and there is a very friendly AD just up the same road who offers a seat, chat and coffee anyway! I just like a brand and a shop to feel it is open to everyone whether or not I already own one of their watches or not (I am not one to flash my watch to get their attention!), the snobbishness of Bond Street really drives me mad sometimes... but not even you have control over that
Andrew
Apart from the lost excitement of a new Hublot boutique, it is no problem for me as I already knew that it is not one of your 'own' shops and there is a very friendly AD just up the same road who offers a seat, chat and coffee anyway! I just like a brand and a shop to feel it is open to everyone whether or not I already own one of their watches or not (I am not one to flash my watch to get their attention!), the snobbishness of Bond Street really drives me mad sometimes... but not even you have control over that
Andrew
Congratulations on the new "Bang"!
I am glad that the Nastie Bang, announced in Bucharest when I also had the pleasure to meet you, finally came out. It really looks nice!
Best regards,
R B
It is a Bond Street problem and not a Hublot problem. As a
London resident, who has resided in other countries around the world, and to clarify (I am British), the behaviour of the shop assistants on Bond Street really does put you off. However, all the while tourists from around the world come and spend bucket loads of money in London shops, this problem will not right itself.
Strange that I am often told that such behaviour is evident in Paris; yet despite living there, speaking really bad French, and visiting on numerous occasions, I have never had a bad experience in a Paris shop.
London shopping sucks!
Andrew H
Interesting....
... gotta visit both London and Paris, after studying a bit French How special the "Bond Street" has... I wonder why the shop CAN behave such way... beyond me.
Ken
How special the "Bond Street" has... I wonder why the shop CAN behave such way... beyond me.Ken
Interesting and on the part of the Bond Street shops a
pathetic reminder of some inbuilt belief that you are lucky to shop with them!!!!! My wife has on a number of occasions simply walked off rather than wait for the shop assistants to deem to actually ask if they can be of assistance!! Should all be shipped to the US or Japan to retrain!
Andrew H
Easy Fix
Visit the boutique in Harrods instead.. at least you're guaranteed to get a friendly sales assistant and a smile.... make a day of it.
Mr. Biver, I was glad to see the photo where..
.. you looked fine. I was kinda worried after you left Tokyo. Take care of yourself!
Ken
Ken
Thank you Ken
I start to feel slightly better....hope I will recover 100% in a few weeks and be in the best shape to start the fourth quarter in September
Hope to come in autumn back to Japan and be with you at least two or three times
Best and warmest regards
Hope to come in autumn back to Japan and be with you at least two or three times
Best and warmest regards
Looking foward to it!
.. but in the meantime, don't work too hard. Have a bit more rest and listen to your wife
Glad you have started feeling better.
Ken
Andrew, from Hublot Bond Street
Andrew,
I am the assistant manager at the Bond St boutique, and having read your comments about your visit and your experience with us, I was very surprised and a little disappointed. As a new boutique we are still finding our feet, and while I can in no way make excuses for the very poor service you claim to have received that day, I can only offer our sincerest apologies.
As a fellow lover of all things Hublot, I know the level of service deserved from a brand of such a level and rest assured we will rectify this immediately.
If you are in town again soon I would very much like to meet you and have a chat over coffee (or something stronger!) about Hublot in London and also our very special boutique only King Power.
Once again I offer my sincere apologies and wish to welcome you to our boutique at any time.
Regards,
Oliver
Thank you
Hi Oliver,
Thank you for your time taken to answer my message, it really is appreciated. Also welcome to the forum! It was certainly a disappointing experience but I will definitely call in next time I am in London and hopefully get a chance to meet you face to face, coffee is good but generally alcohol is better! I am interested in hearing more about your boutique edition (being a King Power-a-manic) so any chance of posting some pictures for us all to see and give us an ideas of the colours etc?
Cheers
Andrew
Thank you for your time taken to answer my message, it really is appreciated. Also welcome to the forum! It was certainly a disappointing experience but I will definitely call in next time I am in London and hopefully get a chance to meet you face to face, coffee is good but generally alcohol is better! I am interested in hearing more about your boutique edition (being a King Power-a-manic) so any chance of posting some pictures for us all to see and give us an ideas of the colours etc?
Cheers
Andrew