Hublot

An evening with Hublot at the starting line of the Tour Auto

 

I had the opportunity to attend this evening the event organised by the Tour Auto which is celebrating this year its 22nd edition.

The Tour Auto is taking place between the 22nd and the 27th of April from Paris to  La Rochelle. The Tour is a subtle mix between timed stages and scenic roads which gathers 250 collectors' cars. A choice between two types of race is proposed to the contestants: regularity or competition. It is a prestigious event in France and any classic cars lover wouldn't want to miss the impressive set at the Grand-Palais.

Can you imagine these 250 beauties parked at the same place, in such amazing building? A true feast for the eyes!

I'm not a car specialist but I could enjoy the sensual curves and the daring designs of these art-pieces.

Each year, a watch dedicated to the Tour Auto is released in a LE.

If you remember well, Audemars Piguet was previously  the sponsor of the Tour  and presented several watches which were using the colours of the Tour. There were several ROO and a Millenary during the last years.

This year, Hublot replaced Audemars Piguet and of course, the brand presented its Tour Auto watch. Question was: which model would be used to issue this watch? A King Power? A Big Bang? And it was a relief for me, the Classic Fusion Chronograph was used and it is one of my fav Hublot.

I have to confess that I found this LE of 100 pieces very nice.

The colours match together pretty well and I like the idea of the extended stripes on the strap. The dominant white colour (dial + strap) is not an easy colour to handle but in the context of this chronograph, it brings its luminous side. The dial is a kind "panda" dial with the spicy touch of the "French" stripes on the right.

Obviously, there isn't any horological change when compared with an usual Classic Fusion Chronograph but while summertime is getting closer (at least in the calendar), I think that this Hublot would be enjoyable in a sunny atmosphere.

The case is made of titanium and has a 45mm diameter:

 

The movement is the HUB 1143 (ETA base + DD module if I remember well):







The movement is not visible, hidden by a solid caseback with the logo of the Tour Auto. It is not a problem since the base movement is not very spectacular. I prefer this option. The caseback is also made of titanium.



The watch on the wrist:



The pushers are rather prominent to give a more powerful style to the elegant design of the Classic Fusion:



I was convinced by this watch. It is in a sense almost a relief because I think that a King Power or a too daring Big Bang would have been out of context. At least, with this one, I'm sure that Hublot understood the spirit around the event.

I propose you to browse some pictures I took at the Grand-Palais:

Let's enter the building (well, actually, I took the picture when I left it!):





Ferrari:

This car has a very famous driver!

This is maybe my fav Ferrari:

These curves are stunning:

Jaguar:

Alfa-Romeo:

I have a soft love for these "small" Alfa-romeo. They are so curved... it is a true aesthetical achievement:

The beautiful glass-roof of the Grand-Palais:

Jaguar and Sunbeam:

Porsche:

Mercedes:

AC Cobra:

Triumph:

AC Cobra:

A colourful row:

I'm approaching the French cars:

The blue Alpine:

And of course... Aston Martin!

Austin Healey:

Direct from the BMW museum:

And the BMW involved in the Tour Auto:

A Jamaican Ferrari!

And still my UFO on the wrist! I think that sometimes it looks like a dashboard of a car from the 70s!

I would like to thank Hublot France for the invitation at this event: my eyes are full of wonderful images of these mechanical beauties!

Fx

This message has been edited by KIH on 2013-04-28 04:05:20

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