Monaco, 12 September 2007 – As this summer draws to a close, Hublot positively reaffirms the links that it has constantly forged with the sea and yachting. As a long-standing partner and friend of the prestigious Yacht Club of Monaco, the Swiss watchmaker is participating from 12 to 16 September in the 8^th Monaco Classic Week. This provides an occasion for the Swiss watchmaker and the Monaco Club to strengthen their relations and share moments dedicated to their common values.

To open the celebrations, it will be on board Tuiga, the flagship of the Yacht Club of Monaco, that Jean-Claude Biver presents the third version of the Big Bang created in its honour to the general public and the media on Thursday evening. The reception takes place on this legendary boat, a 15-metre JI class built by William Fife and restored in 1993, which is moored in front of the Yacht Club amongst a fleet of traditional yachts. It is without doubt a signal honour for Hublot to reveal its latest model in such an exceptional setting! Following the success of the two Big Bang models already created in honour of Tuiga, this new chronograph is impatiently awaited. It will be made even more avant-garde and exclusive by its choice of original materials, Tantalum and Ceramic. This grey-blue metal is highly resistant to corrosion, very hard and rarer than gold. With ceramic and rubber it forms the perfect match for the marine world. The red pennants of the Yacht Club of Monaco appear on the watch dial at 09:00, discreet but clearly recognisable on the uniform grey face. In the high-tech finish we find all the craft of the traditional watchmaker and the new Tuiga icon in its singular Big Bang design is a perfect representation of the fusion between the past and the future, between natural elements and refinement of materials. For the first time since the creation of these models, they will be offered to members of the Yacht Club, allowing them to reserve a personalised watch engraved with their initials.

As the Official Timekeeper of the Yacht Club of Monaco – as well as because it holds great respect for tradition, driven by passion and the constant quest for innovation – during the Classic Week Hublot presents awards for distinction in different categories:

• the Personality of the Sea 2007, for distinguished actions in the field of protection of the sea and the environment
  
• the owner-member of la Belle Classe that has most successfully restored his yacht, honouring and passing on the maritime heritage
  
• the various winners of the Monaco Classic Week 2007 races

A jury comprising personalities from the nautical world, together with many prestigious guests, is participating in this exceptional nautical gathering, in a setting dear to Hublot.

Case
		“Big Bang” diameter 44.5 mm in tantalum, colourless PVD coating
Bezel	:	Black ceramic, satin-finish surface, knurled edge, 6 titanium H-shaped screws, sunken, polished and blocked
Crystal	:	Sapphire with interior anti-reflection treatment
Bezel Lug	:	Black composite resin
Lateral inserts	:	Black composite resin with YCM logo at 9 o’clock
Back	:	Microblasted tantalum with sapphire crystal, interior anti-reflection treatment, reproduction of flagship yacht and MYC flags
Crown	:	Satin-finish steel with natural black rubber insert
Push-pieces	:	Satin-finish steel, rectangular with natural black rubber insert
Screws	:	Titanium
Water-resistance	:	100 m or 10 ATM
Dial
		Matt black with ruthenium numerals and appliqué index markers
Hublot logo	:	at 12 o’clock
“Yacht Club Monaco” logo	:	On counter at 9 o’clock
Hands	:	Faceted, sand-blasted ruthenium with black luminescent feature, chronograph hand with H-shaped counterpoise
Movement	:	Mechanical chronograph with automatic winding Hublot HUB44 calibre developed in conjunction with La Joux-Perret
No. of components	:	252
Rubies	:	27
Bridges	:	Polished, satin-finished with chamfered edges
Screws	:	Black PVD
Calendar	:	Trapezoid aperture at 4.30
Oscillating weight	:	Tungsten carbide with dimpled surface treatment in black PVD
Bottom plate	:	Sand-blasted rhodium-plated
Barrel	:	With reinforced spring
Escapement	:	Glucydur balance spring
Power Reserve	:	42 hours
Strap	:	Adjustable natural black rubber strap, striped on outside edge with Hublot logo, MYC flags on inside surface of attachment between buckle and bracelet
Clasp	:	Black PVD-coated steel, solid tantalum plate decoration
Limited edition	:	500 individually numbered pieces 01/500 – 500/500