A new collaboration between Hublot and Italia Independent pays tribute to founder Lapo Elkann’s passion for the sea by drawing inspiration from the nautical world and from his own experiences.
It’s not every day you have a watch made just for you. However, Lapo Elkann, founder and artistic director of fashion brand Italia Independent and Milan entertainment and design hub Garage Italia, has had the kind of life that may be worthy of such esteem.
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From his earliest childhood, Lapo was cradled by the movement of the waves, thanks to his iconic grandfather, who was himself passionate about sailing. Lapo and his brother even won the famed Fastnet race aboard the iconic German Frers-designed superyacht Stealth. In fact, Lapo comes from sailing lineage; his grandfather, L’Avvocato (the lawyer), Gianni Agnelli, had an all-consuming passion for sailing and was responsible for creating Azzurra, the first Italian team to win the America’s Cup.
Paying tribute to this passion, Hublot and Lapo Elkann have collaborated to create the Hublot Big Bang Unico Teak Italia Independent, a watch inspired by the blue of the island of Capri. Limited to just 100 pieces, and based on the legendary Big Bang Unico chronograph, this watch uses the style codes of the yachts of the late Gianni Agnelli, including Azzurra, Agneta, Extra Beat, Stealth, and particularly the Tiketitoo, whose hull was stained a warm golden colour.
The case and the push-pieces are machined in King Gold, a unique alloy of gold and platinum developed by the Hublot manufacture. On the dial, the indexes are in orange while its bezel is cut out of teak, a precious wood usually adorning the deck of the finest boats.
With a 45-mm diameter and water resistance to 100 metres, the watch encloses the UNICO HUB1242 calibre house chronograph movement, which has a 72-hour power reserve. This masterpiece of technology and watchmaking expertise is visible through the sapphire glass mounted on the back of the watch.
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Each model of the Big Bang Unico Teak Italia Independent has two straps. The first, inspired by the world of regattas, is cut out of a real boat sail in Kevlar carbon with a rubber base. The second, which is orange and striped, is made entirely of rubber. The watch is fitted with the revolutionary One-Click system which means that both straps are interchangeable at whim.
The 100 pieces of the Hublot Big Bang Unico Teak Italia Independent watches will be delivered in a case containing a pair of Italia Independent sunglasses whose frames use the same teak wood as the watch’s bezel.
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