In the historic Tsum building in the heart of Moscow, Depeche Mode and Hublot's CEO Ricardo Guadalupe joined forces to host a Gala Dinner on 6th March 2014 with an exceptional fundraising auction for charity: water, a not-for-profit association whose mission is to ensure a clean water supply in developing countries.

The date of this event coincided with the concert in Moscow that the group is playing the next day, on the evening of Saturday 7th March in the Olimpiski Arena. The dinner and auction is a unique initiative, which forms part of the Depeche Mode worldwide 2013 – 2014 Delta Machine Tour. It is THE big event, the culmination of all of the efforts Depeche Mode and Hublot have devoted to benefit charity: water.

The auction comprised three exceptional lots which will be personally presented by Depeche Mode that very evening, complementing the sale of the two Hublot Depeche Mode limited editions (the first a black ceramic model which sold in 2013, the second, steel, sold in 2014) and the 10 exceptional box sets presented in Paris in January. The three unique lots up for auction this evening in Moscow are as follows:

► LOT 1: The "Depeche Mode Tourbillon": a unique and extraordinary Hublot Tourbillon timepiece with a Depeche Mode Platinum Disc. This is a unique, exceptional piece commemorating the Depeche Mode Delta Machine Tour and the band's partnership with Hublot and charity: water. A skeleton Grand Complication in a black titanium tonneau case with a thermo-moulded black calfskin strap with Clous de Paris pattern and shapes, tone-on-tone black stitching, stitched onto black rubber with a deployant buckle. This piece has been created by Hublot especially for the Moscow event, and is provided along with a signed, framed Depeche Mode Delta Machine platinum disc commemorating the album's platinum status in Russia. Starting Price: $100,000. 100% of the purchase price will go to charity: water

The "Depeche Mode Tourbillon"

► LOT 2: An exceptional box set containing a signed guitar and a unique BIG BANG DEPECHE MODE STEEL watch with a red central chronograph hand (different from the standard version), engraved with the word "Moscow". This "Moscow" box set is one of a collection of 10 box sets created for 10 places which hold a special significance for Depeche Mode, the others being Paris, New York, Basildon, Los Angeles, Milan, Warsaw, Zurich, Berlin and Hamburg. Starting Price: $45,000. 100% of the purchase price will go to charity: water.

Big Bang Depeche Mode Steel 

► LOT 3: This watch, numbered 000/250 in the Depeche Mode 2014 limited edition series and featuring a steel chronograph, thermo-moulded tone-on-tone calfskin strap bracelet forming a "stud" design, is a perfect embodiment of the Depeche Mode look, while also symbolising the Art of Fusion, a concept dear to Hublot. This watch will be auctioned along with three items of clothing worn by members of Depeche Mode on-stage during their world tour! Starting Price: $35,000. 100% of the purchase price will also go to charity: water.

Martin Gore, member of Depeche Mode, stated: "I am particularly pleased that, as a band and with the support of our loyal friend Hublot, we can organise this exceptional auction to raise money for our friends at charity: water and contribute to making a real difference in countries struggling to survive without access to drinking water. The money raised should help to make a real difference."

Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO, added: "This unique collaboration is part of our ongoing special relationship with Depeche Mode. We first met in 2010 and hit it off straight away. If our friendship can make a difference, then we must not hesitate since connection is all about sharing. If you don't share, you miss out. Hublot is in a fortunate position, and has a duty to share some of its success with those who need it."

Depeche Mode and Hublot kicked off their partnership in 2010 by raising funds for The Teenage Cancer Trust through a charity concert at London's Royal Albert Hall, and a unique auction.

In early 2013 in Berlin, Hublot and Depeche Mode decided to work together again on a larger scale, creating the Big Bang Depeche Mode limited series in black ceramic, in parallel with the Delta Machine world tour, for charity: water, an organisation which was chosen by and has received firm support from the band and the Swiss watchmaking brand.

Finally, at the start of January 2014, to coincide with their concert in Paris, France, a collaboration between Hublot and Depeche Mode was organised at the Hublot boutique in Place Vendôme to present 10 exceptional box sets, each containing 1 unique watch with a red central chronograph hand, each engraved with the name of one of 10 places which have a special significance for Depeche Mode: Paris, New York, Basildon, Los Angeles, Milan, Warsaw, Moscow, Zurich, Berlin and Hamburg, with a signed guitar.

charity: water in brief: The mission of charity: water is to supply clean, safe water to the inhabitants of developing countries worldwide. Nearly 800 million people (i.e. almost one out of every nine people worldwide) lack access to safe drinking water – an epidemic-level problem which charity: water is committed to eradicating. To date, the organisation has funded over 8100 water supply projects, providing access to safe drinking water to more than 3.2 million people in more than 20 countries. And through this partnership, Hublot and Depeche Mode have expressed their shared commitment to make charity: water’s global impact even greater.