This new collaboration between Hublot and Italia Independent, recently presented in Capri, pays tribute to Lapo’s passion and love for the sea by drawing inspiration from the nautical world and from his own experiences and memories within.

31 May, Capri (Italy) – It has been several years since Lapo Elkann, Founder and Artistic Director of Italia Independent and Garage Italia, and Hublot were discussing about a nautical-related watch. And for good reasons. From his earliest childhood, Lapo was cradled by the movement of the waves, thanks to his iconic grandfather who was himself passionate about sailing. Lapo even won the famous race, the Fastnet, with his brother aboard the mythical Stealth.

Lapo Elkann’s legendary grandfather, L’Avvocato (the lawyer), Gianni Agnelli, had indeed an all-consuming passion for sailing. This was to such an extent that he was responsible for creating Azzurra, the first Italian team and challenge to win the America’s Cup. During his enthralling life, he had several yachts built so that he could indulge in his favourite sport.

In the mid-1990s, he ordered from the naval architect German Frers an exceptional, unique sailing boat whose name Stealth was a nod to the American Air Force’s F-117 fighters which were capable of avoiding radar detection. Like these aircrafts and thanks to the visionary Gianni Agnelli, this superyacht displayed the technical characteristic, a first at the time, of the wide use of Kevlar carbon and other composite material. The yacht was characterised by cutting-edge geometrical shapes, which together with the carbon fiber black sails would have a great influence on Lapo Elkann’s work as a designer.

Paying tribute to this passion, Hublot and Lapo Elkann have once again come together to make a watch. And what setting could be more appropriate for its presentation than the blue of the island of Capri? It was here, on 31^st May, in the Hublot boutique on the main street Vittorio Emanuele, that guests were able to discover the Hublot Big Bang Unico Teak Italia Independent, the production of which will be limited to 100 pieces.

Based on the legendary Big Bang Unico chronograph, this watch uses the style codes of the yachts of the late Gianni Agnelli, Azzurra, Agneta, Extra Beat, Stealth and particularly the Tiketitoo, whose hull was stained a warm golden colour. The case and the push-pieces are machined in King Gold, a unique alloy of gold and platinum developed by the Hublot manufacture.

On the dial, the indexes are in orange while its bezel is cut out of teak, a precious wood usually adorning the deck of the finest boats.

With a 45-mm diameter and water resistance to 100 metres, the watch encloses the UNICO HUB1242 calibre house chronograph movement, which has a 72-hour power reserve. This masterpiece of technology and watchmaking expertise is visible through the sapphire glass mounted on the back of the watch.

Each model of the Big Bang Unico Teak Italia Independent has two straps. The first, inspired by the world of regattas, is cut out of a real boat sail in Kevlar carbon with a rubber base. The second, which is orange and striped, is made entirely of rubber. The watch is fitted with the revolutionary One Click system which means that both straps are interchangeable at whim.

The 100 pieces of the Hublot Big Bang Unico Teak Italia Independent watches will be delivered in a case containing a pair of Italia Independent sunglasses whose frames uses the same teak wood as the bezel of the watch. Do you fancy setting sail?

Reference	:	411.OQ.1189.NR.ITI18
Limited edition	:	100 pieces
Case	:	Microblasted and polished king gold
Diameter	:	45 mm
Thickness	:	15.45 mm
Water resistance	:	10 ATM (100 m)
Bezel	:	Carbon fiber and wood upper layer
Bezel lug	:	Black composite resin
Screws“ H”	:	Polished and microblasted black PVD titanium
Glass	:	Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment, Hublot logo and Italia Independent logo printed on the inner side
Crown	:	Satin-finished and microblasted king gold with black rubber insert
Pushers	:	Microblasted and polished king gold
Lateral inserts	:	Black composite resin
Case back	:	Microblasted king gold engraved ”LIMITED EDITION” + “XXX/100”»
Case back glass	:	Sapphire with interior anti-reflective treatment
Dial	:	Mat black skeleton Satin-finished gold plated appliques with orange luminescent
Hands	:	Satin-finished gold plated hands with orange luminescent
Movement	:	Caliber Hublot HUB1242 UNICO Manufacture Self-winding chronograph flyback movement with column wheel
Nb de components	:	330
Jewels	:	38
Frequency	:	4 Hz (28,800 A/h)
Power reserve	:	72 hours
Bracelets	:	Strap 1: Black rubber and boat sail in carbon fiber and kevlar with black stitching Strap 2: Black and orange structured lined rubber
Buckle	:	Black PVD Titanium with 18k King Gold insert deployant buckle clasp