This partnership is a story of friendship, real friendship; a human story. It is about mutual loyalty based on the shared passion for the sea and sailing, love of sport, the quest for performance and for cutting-edge technological innovation both in terms of materials and original technical developments. It is also about a powerful tie to Swiss Made and the Swiss colours. The two bosses, Ernesto Bertarelli and Jean-Claude Biver, have a shared set of values, as well as a shared concept of team spirit, hard work and effort, and the value of respect.

After its commitments to Alinghi in 2009 and 2010 in the 33^rd America’s Cup, Hublot is now renewing its partnership with the Swiss team in its big international challenges. Today, the Swiss watchmaking brand is particularly pleased to announce its presence on board the two monotype series boats chosen by Alinghi for the 2012 season: the Extreme 40 and the Décision 35. The former will take to the open waters around the world in the highly rarefied Extreme 40 international circuit. The first round was held in Oman at the end of February, and next week will see the second round in Qingdao (China) on the waters that hosted the sailing events at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The second boat – the Décision 35 Alinghi - will be in action on Lake Geneva. It sets sail from Geneva the first weekend in May – from the 3^rd to 6^th – in the Grand Prix Les Ambassadeurs. To mark the occasion, Ernesto Bertarelli and Jean- Claude Biver will unveil, on 4 May after the regattas at the Société Nautique de Genève, the new series of watches, limited to just 100 numbered pieces. This new full carbon series – a material similar to that used in boat manufacture – is an extension of the first series that found dazzling success.

Ernesto Bertarelli remarked: "It is a great pleasure to welcome Hublot back on board Alinghi, and an honour to have it as a partner given its track record supporting the world’s biggest sporting events, from FIFA to Formula 1 to mention but a few!".

Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot, added: "Hublot is yet again demonstrating through this partnership its commitment to promoting Swiss values and Swiss technology; the fundamental values of Swiss Made, to which watchmaking as a whole is privileged to refer".

Hublot has always been close to the world of sailing and the sea, through its very name of course, but also through prestigious partnerships such as with Yacht Club Monaco, the Monaco Oceanographic Museum and its Institute, or the Real Club Nautico de Palma with the Copa Del Rey.

Supporting Alinghi is a clear choice for Hublot, which is already delighted with the magnificent forthcoming spectacle on waters around the world, as well as here in Switzerland on Lake Geneva.

Act 1: Muscat, Oman - 28 February to 2 March
Act 2: Qingdao, China – 17 to 20 April
Act 3: Istanbul, Turkey – 7 to 10 June
Act 4: Porto, Portugal – 5 to 8 July
Act 5: Cardiff, UK – 30 August to 2 September
Act 6: Trapani, Italy – 13 to 16 September
Act 7: Nice, France – 18 to 21 October
Act 8: Brazil – 29 November to 2 December


Act 1: Société Nautique de Genève, Grand Prix Les Ambassadeurs – 3 to 6 May
Act 2: Crans-près-Céligny - 26 to 27 May
Act 3: Grand Prix Versoix – 8 to 10 June
Act 4: Geneva – Rolle - Geneva - 9 June
Act 5: Société Nautique de Genève, Bol d’Or - 16 to 17 June
Act 6: Grand Prix Tour Carrée - 25 to 26 August (TBC)
Act 7: Grand Prix Nyon – 8 to 9 September
Act 8: Grand Prix Clôture Société Nautique de Genève – 21 to 23 September