Hublot

Some may think that this is yet another LE from Hublot, but to me, this is a bit more significant.  As you all know, Hublot and Ferrari has been partners for a while and there is Big Bang Ferrari series.

Hublot and Ferrari both launched "California 30 Giappone" Limited Edition (almost) at the same time - which celebrate 25th anniversary of legendary "Ferrari California"'s victory at Japan Grand Prix.  Both features common colors, white and red representing Japanese national flag, and both use of carbon fiber.

Big Bang Ferrari California 30 Giappone is exclusively available in Japan, LE of 100 - working sample just arrived at the Tokyo Boutique and I had an opportunity to see and handle.  Below is a mini review





Mr. Herbert Appleroth (Ferrari Japan) and Mr. J.C. Biver.




Ferrari California 30 Giappone



Big Bang Ferrari California 30 Giappone





Titanium Case




Nice red stitch on the white rubber strap + red Ferrari Logo on the pedal-shaped chrono button (flyback chrono).  Cylindrical bezel.




Start/Stop button and crown top are white.




As always, the rotor is shaped as wheel cover .




This model has two sets of straps - white rubber with red stitch and red Schedoni leather stitched onto white rubber.








Now changed to the red strap.  So easy to change the strap.  Just push the button and click.
















Date and minute counter on the right hand side.




Carbon insert in the case.




Screw-in Crown - Now it is open, pull once for date and twice for time adjusting.




Now it is closed - only 90 degrees turn should do it.








Either strap goes pretty well with this watch.












Look at the prancing horse on 9h.








Original UNICO movement.


I think this one is pretty neat design and great honor for Ferrari fans, too.  Big Bang Ferrari series will come out with many more editions. 


Thank you, Hublot Tokyo Boutique!


Ken


This message has been edited by KIH on 2013-05-11 19:49:30 This message has been edited by KIH on 2013-05-11 20:52:07

And I really like it... BUT more dilution of the special Ferrari case and design which is really disappointing to me.  I remember the original comments on the Ferrari partnership that it would be a unique case design every year to mark something special for Ferrari, we had this model in the beautiful titanium, warm king gold and magical magic gold... Now another colour change and make it an LE, really sad.

Be patient!  This is just a small LE targeted only Japan.  The more global one would come with more special design, hopefully

Ken

Come out with a great product like the original Ferrari and then you buy the titanium version for example which is an amazing watch and on the understanding it was a special model for the partnership, however make some minor changes and edition after edition can be released like this new one... Does it make the original one so unique now?

... but I heard similar "comment" from RM027 owners, when they saw 27-01 this year (maybe a bit different from what you are saying, though).  It is the trend of the industry to enjoy twice, three times, and maybe more with the same candy...?  I just mean to say that it is not only Hublot, but many other brands take similar "tactics".  How many people bought 5070J or 5970J when the AD told the potential customers that PP would offer this model only in YG, while G and P followed in both cases at later date (or year)?  Just an example.  Observatoire was said to be limited production of 10 or 20 first, but at the end, there are about 60.  Just another example in my memory.  I have nothing but respect and I mean no offense to those brands, needless to say - disclaimer.

 I am neither for nor against such ideas.  It's the brand's business judgement and it is buyer's decision to buy it or not.  Rarity must be a treasure for owners, but from the brand's POV, it may not be enough incentive, I guess, BUT from the POV of other watch lovers who missed the first bus, it must be a very good news....  I may enjoy the variety of options from buying the current line up including available LEs now or waiting for different LE in the future (there may or may not be).

Just my 2 yen (oh, getting cheater and cheaper these days ). 

But, I hear you and I understand what you mean.  Let's see how and where this "trend" goes.

Ken

And I can understand it for lower value watches (sub 40k maybe) after all the R&D that goes into it, I just think its a shame if you are sold one thing and jump in (a lot of dosh for the current LaFerrari version) and then a year later another comes out... Which is too late as yours is already on your wrist. It also hits hard on the secondary market if you ever want to sell the watch as there are so many in circulation and variations on the market.

The original Ferraris are great and I am sure some (probably minority who surf the forums and fully research) would have jumped so they wouldnt miss out when they heard it was supposed to be one special ferrari case a year to mark a special occasion for ferrari then a new model the next year, now to find other creeping in as small LE's.

I guess the watch world is also run by accountants (no offense to this profession) and if you can make more money without further R&D then it makes sense rather than look after the original customers who bought in.

Cheers
Andrew

PS. I have benefited from further LE's of course... I missed the boat on the original Panerai Bronzo and could not get one, so was pleased to secure this years version... But of course the price on this watch is low in comparison to the MP collection.

I like the crown control of date and time and the quick release straps. And the watch itself has enough relevant design cues like the Chrono buttons, automatic rotor, carbon fibre inserts and sandwich case construction with materials relevant to car manufacturing. Even the date embedded in the minute counter is interesting (but you can still read off the elapsed minutes - unlike some Zenith designs). And the watch has some rawness to the bezel and overall finish that strikes the right balance for a car tie-in. Thanks for the photos, Ken.

Andrew

.. and feel how the pedal-shaped buttons work.  It really feels like stepping on the pedals to press the button.   You will know what I mean.  Thank you for comment, Andrew!

Ken

I have to confess that I have never heard of it before your post.

Fx

... globally sent out as the normal ones.  I heard from Hublot Japan and received press release in Japanese, but when I dug press lounge of Hublot web site, I also found EN version.  So,, this is really "low profile" LE, I guess!

Thank you. FX!

Ken

Different Ferraris may have different Ferrari Bangs! Hah....

That is the possibility, I agree!
Nice car.....

Ken