Emotional Unveiling of the new Hublot Aero Bang All White Special Edition Japan
The hoopla of Hublot watch presentations is something which we are all familiar with by now. However, their latest limited edition model, the Hublot Aero Bang All White Special Edition Japan was unveiled in an atmosphere which we do not normally associate with Hublot’s events, one which was charged with emotion and poignancy.
Hublot Gala dinner at the Park Hyatt Tokyo with Mr Biver on Stage
The occasion was a recent Hublot Gala dinner at the Park Hyatt Tokyo and its purpose was the commemoration of 150 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Switzerland. As such the collaboration of the two countries set the theme of the evening, but the relationship between Hublot and Japan goes much, much deeper than mere politics.
A watchmaker and an earthquake
In 2011 when the earthquake struck Japan, Hublot were one of the first companies in the watch industry to take the initiative to support the victims of the disaster, matching donations dollar-for-dollar. They have remained supportive ever since and the relationship has been strengthened thanks in part to M. Biver’s personal involvement. M. Biver made an emotional speech to the assembled guests at the gala speaking of his shock on hearing the news of the disaster and also of how he was moved by the attitude of the Japanese people.
The new Aero Bang Special Edition Japan limited edition model which we feature here recalls the disaster, but it does not give forth a message of sadness, instead it pays tribute to the spirit of the people involved and also to a powerful symbol of hope which inspired a nation, and the world.
Hublot Aero Bang All White Special Edition Japan
Hublot Aero Bang All White Special Edition Japan – A tsunami and a tree
Even though the earthquake and the tsunami that followed devastated the previously lush woodland in Takata-matsubara, one pine tree survived. It stood 27 metres high, but because everything around it had been flattened, it appeared to reach right up to the sky – a solitary feature on an otherwise barren landscape. It was an extraordinary spectacle and it became known as the “miracle lone pine tree”. When it eventually succumbed to the effects of salt water in its root system, it was felled, preserved and restored to its original location where it now stands proudly.
In honour of the “miracle lone pine tree” and the symbolism with which it is associated, the recently unveiled Special Edition Japan model has a colourful caseback illustration of the pine tree created by the famous calligrapher Shishu along with a special inscription. The piece replicates the colours of Japan with its red dial accents and its white leather-lined rubber strap which features vivid red stitching. The case measures 44.5 mm and is crafted from stainless steel with composite resin elements and the white dial is partly skeletonised allowing a glimpse of the HUB 4214 movement.
Hublot Aero Bang All White Special Edition Japan – Caseback
One of the 15 pieces of the Aero Bang All White Special Edition with the “miracle lone pine tree” special case back with the number 00/15 was auctioned at the gala dinner along with a work by Shishu. The profit from the auction, and part of the proceeds from the sales of the 14 remaining watches and the amount of recent charity activities totalling approximately 10 million Japanese yen will be donated to the “Kamiosabe no Sato” who maintains the temporary playground at Kesen Elementary School in Kesen-machi Kamiosabe in the city of Rikuzentakata.
