Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup
HUBLOT AND FOOTBALL ARE CONNECTED
BIG BANG REFEREE 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP RUSSIA™. Keeping pace with the games in real time
2018 means the FIFA World CupTM! For its 3rd participation as a Branded Licensee, Hublot has created the watch that all football fans and Hublot fans have been waiting for! A smart watch that will instantly connect you to every decisive second of the matches being played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup™. A much-anticipated innovation that could not have been imagined by any other watch brand, given the extent to which Hublot and Football are as one. Not only is the footballing world going to march to the beat of the watchmaker, but now the pulse of the matches will reach its peak on your wrist! And although you’ll have to wait 85 days for the start of the Competition, you can wear connected football on your wrist in just one month time!
“The Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM offers all the usual features of a smart watch of course, but that’s not where Hublot has applied its innovation and audacity. It brings together everything that inspires the passion of football lovers! The FIFA World Cup is the Holy Grail of emotions for football fans, so just imagine what an object such as a watch that captures each and every one of its moments, its turning points, its stakes could suddenly represent? The football aficionados from among the brand’s friends have been waiting for this watch for a long time!” Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot
It was a specific need expressed by FIFA, and Hublot brought it to life! Wanting a customised watch for the referees, FIFA asked Hublot to conceive the perfect watch to accompany them on the pitches during the matches. Hublot designed this connected watch, its first, for the footballing universe: the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM. It is a unique edition that is limited to 2018 pieces. It has all the attributes of the iconic Big Bang. Its emblematic architecture cut out of the lightness of titanium, its bezel decorated with 6 H-shaped screws, its Kevlar insert. Even the display on its analogue mode dial could pass for the same aesthetic as that of the automatic models. In terms of size, its 49-mm case is what makes the first difference, then its motor, which, for the first time, is driven by technology connected to digital intelligence. It is certainly a connected watch, but it is first and foremost a Hublot watch!
2018 FIFA World CupTM — Key figures
As Baselworld 2018 opens its doors, the Hublot Countdown Clocks are showing 85 days. On 14 June 2018, Hublot, FIFA and Russia will kick off the first match of the 21st FIFA World CupTM since it began in 1928. In the current digital world, it will be the very first Competition in which the referees are supported by video assistance. From Saint Petersburg to Moscow via Ekaterinburg, Kaliningrad, Kazan, Nizhny Novgorod, Rostov-on-Don, Samara, Saransk, Sochi and Volgograd, there are 12 stadiums for 32 teams playing 64 matches.
“We are all very excited to witness another impressive milestone in FIFA’s relationship with Hublot. The launch of the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is a perfect illustration of Hublot’s ability to combine tradition, expert knowledge and innovation. The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia will provide the perfect platform for this amazing watch to showcase its full potential.” Philippe Le Floc’h, FIFA CCO
Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™
The watchmaker loves the tournament! Limited to 2018 pieces, available from 1 May, 2018 in Hublot sales outlets, this is the football watch, and the Official FIFA Watch!
Beating to the rhythm of the football, the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM immediately shows its distinctive spirit as the personification of an application specially developed for the competition and a series of “fan” dials in the colours of each participating nation. Featuring several notifications, the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM announces matches 15 minutes before their kick-off, as well as yellow and red cards, player changes and goals. The Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM vibrates, displaying the word GOAL instantly every time a goal is scored. During the match, the dial shows the match statistics including the score, number of cards, names of goal-scorers, player substitutions and match time.
The digital world provides the Big Bang with even greater flexibility and versatility. A watch which—having emblematically borne the first Hublot manufacture movement, the most unusual and audacious materials, the most assertive colours—has been reinvented for the digital era by offering 32 dials inspired by the flags of the participating countries, and two neutral dials. It is available in analogue or digital versions. Thanks to its patented interchangeable “One Click” strap, the watch can easily be matched to one of its two straps. Two are provided with the watch, a cuff strap in sponge sporting the 2018 FIFA World CupTM emblem and that of Hublot, a black lined natural rubber strap. So as to perfect each fan’s kit, Hublot has also anticipated an additional strap for them in the colours of their country. In a turn of the dial, with the swipe of a finger, select your team or closely follow a competitor. The Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM has already been tested discreetly on the wrist of the referees many times during the FIFA Confederations Cup 2017TM and the FIFA Club World Cup 2017TM.
Benefiting from the Wear OS ecosystem, the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM has thousands of downloadable applications in addition to its competition functions. In terms of synchronisation, the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM is compatible with all telephones using Android 4.4 and above or iOS 9 and above. For charging, the watch just needs to be placed on a contact charger.
The referees
For the first time, they will be wearing the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM with its smart technology imagined by Hublot. As well as all the functions available on the 2018 numbered models of the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM, the referees’ watches will be connected to goal-line technology, an electronic video assistance system for refereeing which follows all the trajectories of the ball and determines for certain if the ball did or did not entirely cross the goal line. On the pitch, the watchmaker will be ever present in the game as always, by sequencing time, changes and extra time to the rhythm of its Big Bang-shaped referee boards. A board that has proved itself, as it is behind Hublot’s greatest visibility during matches. Let’s not forget, during the last FIFA World CupTM in Brazil, no less than 21 minutes of playing time were credited to Hublot!
There’s no limit to love…
Hublot loves football and its family includes many star players and coaches—Pelé, Maradona, Mourinho—from prestigious clubs —Benfica, Chelsea, Juventus, Ajax. Having joined the world of football in 2006, by becoming the sponsor of the Swiss national team, Hublot is now top of the league. With its status of “FIFA Official Watch” and “FIFA Official Timekeeper” for the 2018 FIFA World CupTM, it has a total of three World Cups, three FIFA Confederations Cups, as well as three UEFA EURO editions, and three seasons of the Champions League and Europa League. On the pitch, just like on wrists, from its 4th official boards to its Retrograde Chronograph calculating the match time, and now the first connected football watch, Hublot is there for all the matches and all the wins! It has been said that the more passion shared, the stronger it becomes! Armed with this adage, Hublot will welcome more than 1,000 guests throughout the competition.
Just one question remains!
Will you be able to wait until 1 May 2018? That’s the kick-off date for the watches in Hublot sales outlets all over the world. While waiting for the FIFA World Cup™ to start, get into the spirit of football in all the Hublot boutiques which will have put on their FIFA World Cup™ kit, and follow the countdown displayed on your wrist!
Hublot Loves Football — the 2018 campaign
Players, coaches, legends, united in the same, single spirit — that of love for football. A team of 16 football stars.
Stanislas Cherchesov — the coach who has prepared the national team of the World Cup’s host country
His last FIFA World Cup™ was in 2002. USSR Champion, Winner of the USSR Cup, Champion of Russia, 3 Times Champion of the Austrian Football Bundesliga, Champion of the Ekstraklasa League, USSR’s Best Goalkeeper and Russia’s Best Goalkeeper. The dream of every coach: to win. The ultimate dream of every coach: to win in their own country.
Didier Deschamps — is 2018 his year?
Player, Captain, Coach, he was nominated by FIFA as one of the best living players. His results have earned him the distinction of best coach of the year on two occasions, and best coach in League 1. He won the FIFA World Cup™ in 1998, and took France into the ¼ finals of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ and the final of UEFA EURO 2016.
Marcel Desailly — “The Rock”
With his track record, one of the most well-rounded in French football, he has been one of the pillars of the French team, and that nation’s 3rd most capped player. He has won both the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Super Cup twice, in 1993/1994 and 1995/1999 respectively. On his wrist, he’ll definitely be wearing the blue of Les Bleus; with them, he won the FIFA World Cup™ in 1998, the European Championships in 2000 and two FIFA Confederations Cup editions in 2001 and 2003. His track record earned him the Golden Foot Legend award in 2017.
Björn Kuipers — the referee of all the championships, all the cups, at the highest level of football
With whistles and cards, he has witnessed the greatest victories in football and refereed almost everything… FIFA, UEFA, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Champions League, Confederations Cup, UEFA U-17 and U-21 Championships, the FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Julen Lopetegui — the former goalkeeper and coach who is now Spain’s head coach
Yellow and red will dominate on his wrist. A Champion of Spain with Real Madrid, he was victorious at the UEFA European Under-19 Championships. The hope of Spain has every intention of seeking revenge for the 1994 FIFA World Cup™.
Maradona — “the Golden Boy” who became the master, the God of football
The architect of the Argentinean team’s victory at the FIFA World Cup™ in 1986. Scoring the winning goal, he achieved his childhood dream. The dream of children all over the world! The eternal king of Naples, who over 7 seasons gave the city 2 league titles, one Italian Cup and one UEFA Cup, remains and will remain in the hearts of the tifosi.
Roberto Martínez Montoliú – the Coach leading the Red Devils to their 13th FIFA World CupTM tournament.
After 265 consecutive games in the English Premier League for Wigan FC and Everton FC, Roberto Martinez was appointed head coach for the Belgium national team in 2016, leading them undefeated and the first European team to qualify for their 13th FIFA World CupTM. Having won the FA Cup in 2013 defeating Manchester City, this Summer the FIFA World CupTM is in his team sights. Currently one of the strongest in Europe and 5th in the FIFA rankings his Red Devil’s will be looking to continue their strong qualifying form in Russia. They start in Group G where one of their opponents will be England - where many of the Red Devils players play in the English Premier League !
José Mourinho — the “Special One”, considered the best tactician in the world
With 2 UEFA Cups, 2 Champions Leagues, FIFA World Coach of the Year 2010 and the Ballon d’Or for coaches, he has led teams in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain to victory in their national championships and cups. He has Portugal in his heart and the best players of England in his hands, and may well connect his watch to shift between these two nations.
Juan Carlos Osorio — “El Recreacionista”, coach of “El Tri”
He began his career as conditioning coach and technical assistant at Manchester City, at Millionarios in Bogota and the New York Red Bulls. For his first World Cup, his ambition is to be the generational bridge for Mexico’s national team! Watch this space.
Pelé — the youngest player to have won a FIFA World Cup™ and the only triple champion in the world to achieve it with the Brazilian team
The UN and UNESCO ambassador has forever impacted the game of football with his unmatched performances and records. He won the world over with his memorable two goals in the 1958 FIFA World Cup™ final against Sweden, with his famous flick and again in the 1970 final, when he scored a header marking Brazil’s 100th goal in the FIFA World Cup™. His exceptional track record is only equaled by his extraordinary humanity.
Hervé Renard — his first FIFA World CupTM
Regardless of the outcome, the first time at the world cup is always special. The French footballer, now a coach, will experience his first FIFA World Cup™ on the bench of the Moroccan team. A little nod from destiny, he qualified Morocco for the FIFA World Cup™ in a win against the Ivory Coast, which he had led to victory in 2015 by winning his 2nd Africa Cup of Nations after having taken Zambia to the final in 2012.
Jorge Sampaoli — the coach from the Albicelestes
The former manager for Chile, who eliminated Spain and led his team into the round of 16 against Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World CupTM, is preparing to experience his first World Cup alongside the Argentinean captain Lionel Messi. He led Chile to win their first Copa América in 2015 and will perhaps enable Argentina to win its 3rd FIFA World CupTM.
Xherdan Shaqiri — will the versatile midfielder, the Rubik's Cube of football, get another hat trick?
Under his studs, the feat of having won the double, Swiss Cup and Championship with FC Basel when he’d just joined the club that same season, then the previously unseen treble with Bayern Munich—Champions League, German Cup, and German League, and a historic hat trick during the 2014 FIFA World CupTM for Switzerland (the 50th in the history of the competition). He’s also the youngest-ever player to be honoured with the title of Swiss Player of the Year.
Aleksey Gennadyevich Smertin — the pitch marathon runner who likes white, blue and red
From Russia to France via England, the ex-captain of the Russian national team has always played in white, blue and red. Although he has now hung up his studs, he works for the Russian Football Union.
Gareth Southgate — the England team manager with the soul of a defender
Gareth's heart lies with England. He has represented the team in FIFA World Cups, trained the U-21 team, and became manager of the senior men's team in 2016 - qualifying top of the group for FIFA World Cup 2018TM in Russia. During his domestic playing career, Gareth made over 500 senior team appearances for Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Middlesbrough. He was club captain of all three sides, winning the First Division title with Palace and the League Cup twice with both Villa and the 'Boro. Gareth Southgate was a born leader and destined to make the transition from successful player to top-flight manager when he hung up his boots in 2006.
David Trezeguet — where will the heart of the Franco-Argentinean striker lie?
Champion of France in 1998, in Italy he became the best foreign goal-scorer in the history of Juventus. He played in three FIFA World Cup™ including a victory in 1998 under the French flag. He finished his career where he began playing football, in Argentina. Perhaps he will display different shades of blue during the matches.