One of, if not THE, highlight of moderating the forum is that I got to attend a small-group presentation of this year's novelties at Baselworld. These are generally attended by the press and individual collectors with an interest in the brand.
Rather than having employees present the watches, the honors fell to 3 very knowledgeable and enthusiastic Hublotistas. A very clear statement of the close relationship Hublot maintains with its customers. Think about it: The single most important publicity event of the year, and Hublot lets those of us who love the brand be its cheerleaders.
First, the group. That's me stuffed in the standard economy seat in the corner on the right. My wife is happily flying in business class there on the front right. Next to me is the lead presenter Sascha, whose collection of watches is focused on the Magic Gold series. Over on the far left are the other 2 hosts, Glenn Dale and Thorsten Walser. Glenn is the famous "Hublot Tattoo Guy" that I saw last year but didn't get to meet. Thorsten is the proud owner of a Black Magic customized with a Magic Gold bezel. In the back left is the young woman that arranged my visit, Isile Luttman. The remainder of the crowd were there to be introduced to the pieces
The Sapphire Tourbilion diamond. This version is particularly impressive in that Hublot figured out how to encase diamond baguettes in the bezel using a proprietary process
The Sapphire Galaxy featuring multicolored amethysts and sapphires in its bezel
And for desert, I got to see one of Glenn Dale's Tourbillions. It's one of 10 that were released about 5 years ago. Hublot knows the whereabouts of his and only one other. A perfect capper to my visit
- gmermel