The fusion of three traditions of Swiss expertise that share the same values: passion, performance, innovation, demanding standards, creativity and pleasure. The fine Saint Gall embroidery and its ancestral art made by the Swiss flagship company Bischoff and the skis by AK SKI, in a spirit of fusion, cut in rubber, proudly bear the Hublot SKULL emblem.

SWISS FUSION AT ITS PEAK

Francesca and Marco Kuonen are perpetuating the vision and passion of their father, Aldo. As lovers of fine materials, and as true aesthetes, time for the Kuonens is set by Big Bangs. So it was perfectly natural for Francesca to contact Ricardo Guadalupe in order to make skis in the name of the prestigious Manufacture. Nine months later, as the first flakes come and pose their white gold on the peaks, the BIG BANG SUGAR SKULL limited editions and their alter egos—from the black strips, cut in floral arabesques from the block, to the coloured bases and their assorted poles—are just coming out of the workshops. AK SKI has revolutionised the world of winter sports by becoming the first manufacturer to use rubber on its skis. This material is also part of Hublot’s pioneering spirit. It is extremely elastic, it has an unbeatable stretch factor and resistance. Rubber brings together the performances and the destiny of the two Houses that have become friends.

WINTER IS HERE, AND SO IS HUBLOT

Winter is here and Hublot has taken over winter sports, the mountains and resorts. From Zermatt to Gstaad, from Courchevel to Verbier, Aspen, or even Kitzbühel, the Hublot boutiques are opening their doors to winter time. If you’re ready for a total Hublot look, get to Zermatt. The resort, which is emblematic of the ‘Swissitude’ held so dear by the brand, lives at the pace of the Manufacture. If you arrive by train, you just need to walk up Bahnhofstrasse to the Chalet-Boutique, inspired by a traditional barn, to become immediately immersed in the spirit of the resort. “With a Big Bang Sugar Skull on your wrist and skis on your feet”, you will hit the peaks by taking Zermatt’s cable cars, sponsored by Hublot, and the Hublot Express to the Gant-Blauherd slopes.

CAPSULE COLLECTION

From Nyon to Saint-Gall, via Nidwald, these are the Swiss values of excellence, tradition and modernity that come together to give life to a capsule collection of 100 watches. Their 42-hour power reserve will give you all the time you need—and almost the desire—to ski or walk between the Hublot Chalet-Boutiques of Zermatt and Courchevel.

BIG BANG SUGAR SKULL BLUE COBALT

50 watches, machined into a 44-mm diameter case in matt black ceramic, housing a mechanical automatic winding chronograph movement. The emblematic skull is drawn in midnight blue on the skeleton dial. Its motifs are engraved on the bezel and embossed on a strap of calfskin sewn onto rubber. A chronograph whose small second counter and minute counter mischievously evoke the gaze of the skull.

BIG BANG SUGAR SKULL HOT PINK

Bischoff's master craftsmen prepared the silk organza embroidery in their workshops in Saint-Gall. Flashy floral arabesques sketching out a “skull” motif dress the BIG BANG BRODERIE SUGAR SKULL HOT PINK, from its carbon-fibre dial to its ceramic bezel and its pink rubber strap. On the dial, layered sheets of fibre printed with transparent resin are affixed onto a base of carbon fabric. A process that grips the embroidery so as to give it an illusion of depth and the finesse necessary for it to be housed within the heart of the dial. A 41-mm diameter demonstrates time-honoured expertise encapsulated like a work of art and telling the time through 12 black diamond indexes. Limited to 50 pieces.

Hublot’s high-altitude boutiques—Gstaad and Zermatt. Courchevel starts the 2016/2017 season in chalet mode and joins the Hublot high-altitude boutique club.