This past weekend in Italy at the famed Monza racetrack, more than 300 Ferrari cars of all makes came together in what is considered the largest group event of Ferrari cars ever. Right there with the Ferraris, as a key partner, was Hublot with signage, awards, timing, and more to underscore the brand’s commitment to Ferrari, Finali Mondiali, and to auto sports in general.
The Finali Mondiali (held at a different location each year) celebrates the end of the Ferrari motor racing season and is a gathering of professional drivers, teams, and individuals passionate about their own Ferrari cars. At their own expense, they transport their cars and themselves to the event, where they spend days gathering with other Ferrari teams, drivers, and owners to share their passions for this luxury automobile brand.
This year’s event was even more impressive than in the past thanks to the location: Monza is one of the world’s oldest racetracks (along with Monaco, Indianapolis, and LeMans). Nicknamed the “temple of speed,” the oval track features steep inclines and bankings, as well as some intricate curves that make the racing incredibly exciting.
Since Hublot is an official partner of Ferrari and of Finali Mondiali, the brand operates the bright Ferrari red, Hublot logo-covered Safety Cars at the Finali Mondiali races, which (when a safety flag is raised) runs the course at about 160 miles per hour to the competing cars at their lowest speeds without heating the engines too much. The brand also sponsors several drivers who were present at the event. Among them: Peter Mann, an avid Ferrari collector and professional driver, and Swiss driver Christophe Hurni, who is also a brand ambassador and 2018 World Champion of the Ferrari Challenge. Additionally, in a trackside luxury suite dedicated to Ferrari owners, Hublot had a pop-up boutique showcasing its many Ferrari watches.
Hublot and Ferrari It was several years ago that Swiss watch brand Hublot partnered with the venerable Ferrari brand to create co-branded watches that would raise the bar of watchmaking materials, concepts, and performance to new levels worthy of the Ferrari name. Over the ensuing years, working side by side with Ferrari’s engineers and designers, Hublot has unveiled a host of Ferrari watches that are exceptional in design and high-tech materials, and housing movements capable of split-second timing.
Most recently, Hublot worked with the entire design and engineering teams at Ferrari to create an especially advanced piece: The Hublot Techframe Ferrari Tourbillon Chronograph Carbon Yellow. The Hublot Techframe was built to resemble the chassis of a GT Ferrari, complete with geometric angles and open spaces. Designed by Flavio Manzoni, head of Ferrari Design Center’s design team, the case is crafted with high-tech carbon. Powered by the HUB6311manufacture mechanical movement, the watch offers a single-pusher chronograph and a tourbillon to ensure precise timing despite the effects of gravity on the watch.
“Partnering with Ferrari makes us better,” says Guadalupe. “It continually makes us raise the bar of innovation and excellence.” He notes that Hublot’s commitment to watchmaking is, “a passion that drives us to surpass ourselves on a human and technical level, like our partners in Maranello with their racing cars.”
With this partnership, Hublot is utilizing all-new materials, fusing avant-garde concepts, and offering customers watches that not only withstand the elements, but also offer cutting-edge advantages in terms of looks, materials, weight, ergonomics and performance. Additionally, the brand most likely continues to carry these innovative strategies to the rest of its key collections.