HUBLOT BIG BANG REFEREE 2018

Stay Connected

Experts of the horological world were left surprised when the brand released its first connected watch at Baselworld 2018. However, Hublot worked with FIFA to create a timepiece that would meet the requirements of referees yet retained the brand's customary stunning aesthetic.

Already the official timekeeper of the World Cup, the new smartwatch conforms to the Hublot Loves Football motto, connecting the forward-thinking brand to the tournament more than ever before.

Set to be worn by referees and designed to link up with goal-line technology for the first time in the history of the tournament, The Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia will ensure precision like never before. Owners will also be able to keep pace with every minute of every game too, thanks to the innovative in-game display.

As all eyes look to Russia ahead of the tournament this summer, 2,018 football fans were offered the chance to get their hands on Hublot’s first ever connected model ahead of the first match on June 14th.

Speaking of the new timepiece, Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe said: “The Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia 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!”

Smarten Up

It may be the brand’s first connected timepiece, however, accuracy, precision and craftsmanship remain a firm focus of this model. Tasked by football’s governing body FIFA to create a watch that allowed referees greater awareness of what happens on the pitch, Hublot knew it had the skills and talent to bring it to life.

So, just what exactly can people expect from Hublot’s first step into the world of smart watches? To put it simply, it has all of the attributes of an iconic Big Bang. From its emblematic architecture crafted in titanium to its bezel decorated with 6 H-shaped screws and its Kevlar insert, there is no escaping that the spirit of the Big Bang is at the heart of this design.

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. Even the display on its analogue mode dial could pass for the same aesthetic as that of the automatic models.

It’s not just referees who are set to benefit from the technology. Football fans across the globe will have the opportunity to keep track of each game with the swipe of a finger. The wearer will get real-time updates of each match from 15 minutes before kick-off. They’ll also receive news of yellow and red cards, player changes and those all important goals.

Thanks to the Wear OS ecosystem, the Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia has thousands of downloadable applications in addition to its competition functions and is compatible devices using Android 4.4 and above or iOS 9 and above.

Furthermore, fans will be able to display their patriotism, should they choose, thanks to ‘One Click’ straps featuring the flags of each participating nation.

Fan Watch Faces and Straps

Straps featuring the flag of each of the participating nations were launched alongside the watch, offering wearers the chance to show their patriotic side with pride.

The Kick Off

Not a brand to do things by halves, Hublot launched the new Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia in unforgettable style.

Jose Mourinho and Maradona managed teams of some of the best loved footballers of recent times in the Match of Friendship. Players included Roberto Carlos, Hernan Crespo, Marcel Desailly and Patrick Kluivert. Fittingly there was another first; brand ambassador Usain Bolt made his footballing debut. There are moments in football that are eternal and the iconic match proved exactly that.

Creating history was the ultimate way for Hublot to launch its first connected watch and the ROX team was honoured to be invited for the iconic moment.

90 Amazing Minutes

ROX is thrilled to join Hublot at the 2018 tournament on June 14 at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. To celebrate we’ve compiled a list of 90 Amazing Minutes of previous tournaments, shining a light on some of the most historic moments of the tournament.