Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain

HUBLOT LAUNCHES LATEST TIMEPIECE WITH KOBE BRYANT 
Luxury Swiss brand celebrates redesigned Beverly Hills boutique while honoring the dynamic career of Brand Ambassador, living legend Kobe Bryant 

Luxury Swiss watch brand Hublot celebrated the launch of its latest timepiece with Brand Ambassador Kobe Bryant – the Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain – which coincided with the ribbon cutting ceremony of the newly redesigned Hublot Beverly Hills Boutique. Following the successful launch of the Big Bang UNICO Chronograph Retrograde Kobe “Vino” Bryant in 2015 and the King Power Black Mamba Chronograph in 2013, this is the brand’s third timepiece with the basketball legend. 

On May 18, Jean- François Sberro, Managing Director Hublot of America, and Greg Simonian, Owner of Hublot Beverly Hills boutique, hosted an intimate ribbon cutting ceremony and watch unveiling at the Hublot Beverly Hills boutique with Kobe Bryant, in honor of the boutique’s complete redesign and the NBA star’s longtime partnership with Hublot. Guests, including press and friends of the brand, gathered at the Hublot boutique at 9470 Brighton Way, as Kobe Bryant, Jean-François Sberro and Greg Simonian cut the ribbon. Guests were then invited inside where Kobe Bryant was presented with his newest limited edition watch, known as the Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain, which is the star’s third timepiece with Hublot. 

The redesigned 1376 square foot store, among the brand’s first in the United States, is now a modern study in gray tonal textures and materials, including ebony wood paneled walls and doors; graphite leather wall accents and slate floors; stainless steel, glass, and hammered metal fixtures and watch cases; and distinctive yet refined repeated Hublot “H” logos integrated on glass panels inside the black stone façade. An enclosed VIP lounge area is in the rear of the store, offering an even more private experience for the brand’s most discerning clientele. 

Jean-François Sberro, Managing Director Hublot of America, shared: “We are thrilled to celebrate this exciting milestone with Kobe Bryant, as we launch our third timepiece with the basketball legend, and celebrate his impressive and dynamic career. Kobe is a basketball icon and his astounding achievements have made him the perfect fit for Hublot, as we continue to blend the worlds of luxury watchmaking and sports. We feel honored to have Kobe partake in this occasion at our newly redesigned Beverly Hills boutique.” 

Later in the evening, VIPs were invited for an intimate dinner at a private residence in Los Angeles to celebrate Kobe’s legendary basketball career and his partnership with Hublot. To commemorate the launch of the Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain, Kobe Bryant joined Jean-François Sberro and Greg Simonian, along with guests including sportscaster Erin Andrews and professional ice hockey player Jarret Stoll to fete the 5-Time NBA Champion. 

Greg Simonian said, “I am honored to be here tonight to celebrate the HUBLOT partnership with Kobe Bryant. From my first Lakers Game at only three years old, I have a lifetime of Memories that resonate from his mamba strength. We are thrilled to celebrate his HeroVillain story with this new timepiece.” 

Following cocktails, Kobe sat down with Andrews for a conversation about his basketball career and his three-year partnership with Hublot. Questions ranged from “what was your first luxury indulgence” to “how will you treat time in [your recent] retirement” to questions on his personal style and kept the guests at rapt attention. After Kobe discussed his inspiration behind the timepiece with the luxury watchmaker and living his 20-year career as a “HeroVillain.” Hosts Greg Simonian and Jean-Francois Sberro then poured a bottle of Dom Pérignon vintage 2005 en magnum, engraved with “Kobe Bryant” and the number “24”, to toast the living legend. In honor of the basketball star’s nickname “The Black Mamba,” the Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain was unveiled to guests by a female snake handler and performer, clad in reptile-inspired tattoos, holding a symbolic black snake–a key design element in the NBA legend’s timepieces with Hublot. 

Kobe Bryant shared: “I’m honored to celebrate the launch of my third Hublot timepiece as I continue my pursuit of excellence and reflect on my career. The Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain symbolizes my life as a HeroVillain during my 20-year basketball career, as I strive to channel my fears and doubts into strength and determination. When I joined the Hublot family in 2013, it was a natural fit and I’m thrilled to share this special occasion here in Los Angeles today.” 

The Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain is available exclusively at Hublot’s Beverly Hills Boutique and is limited to 24 pieces of which the brand presented a personalized #24 to the legend himself. The ceramic piece evokes a masculine and sophisticated design with black and gold hues. The dial features a black snake applique, a nod to Kobe Bryant’s “Black Mamba” basketball nickname. The sapphire case-back carries a printed « KOB16 » logo, and each piece is engraved with its special edition number, 1/24 – 24/24. Featuring a self-winding moonphase movement, the Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant HeroVillain will be available on a black python strap with black stitching, an echo of Hublot’s 10 Year ALL BLACK anniversary concept. 

Classic Fusion Kobe Bryant “HeroVillain” 

Reference: 517.CX.0180.PR.KOB16 
Limitation: SPECIAL EDITION 24 NUM 
Technical Specifications: 
Diameter: 45 mm 
Thickness: 11.90 mm 
Water Resistant: 5 ATM (50m) 
Case: Satin-finished and polished ceramic 
Bezel: Satin-finished and polished ceramic 
Bezel Lug: Black composite resin 
Screws « H »: Gold, polished 
Glass: Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment 
Crown: Ceramic, polished 
Case back: Satin-finished ceramic engraved with « SPECIAL EDITION » + « 24 NUM » 
Case back Glass: Sapphire with interior anti-reflective treatment + « KOB16 » logo printed 
Dial: Sapphire dial whit black snake applique 
Polished gold-plated appliques 
Hands: Polished gold-plated hands 
Movement: Caliber Hublot HUB1131 
Type: Self-winding moonphase movement 
Dimensions: Dia. 32mm (141/4’’’); Thickness 5.90mm 
Date: Skeleton Calendar display at 12.00 and date by hand in 6.00 counter 
No of Components: 134 
Jewels: 25 
Frequency: 4 Hz (28’000 A/h) 
Power reserve: 42 Hours 
Strap: Black rubber and black python with black stitching 
Buckle: PVD Stainless steel deployant buckle clasp, yellow gold screws. 

ABOUT HUBLOT 
« Hublot – A different way to progress » say those who know this unique Swiss luxury watch company, where each and every moment moves forward to create the future at breathtaking speed. A dream, initiated and developed by Hublot’s Chairman Jean-Claude Biver with CEO Ricardo Guadalupe when they took control of the brand in 2004. These two men are responsible for turning the Hublot brand into a genuine success story in which the Big Bang, Classic Fusion, and MP Masterpiece Collection represent the symbols of a constantly evolving tradition. This year marks the 10th Anniversary of ALL BLACK, a concept created by Hublot to create a watch with blackened hands, indexes, dial and date, rendering a timepiece not explicitly about telling time. From in-house watch complications, including award-winning minute repeaters and tourbillons, to revolutionary materials such as patented and scratch resistant Magic Gold, colored Texalium carbon fiber, and transparent sapphire cases to world class collaborations such as Ferrari, FIFA™ World Cup, and Italia Independent, Hublot characterizes itself through the « Art of Fusion » philosophy, bringing tradition into the future.