PoT October 2014 – The Hublot Events

Nov 06, 2014,02:43 AM
 

Dear PuristS,

 

The first day of the PoT was a sort of “immersion” in the world of Hublot. After the highly interesting factory tour (I've already posted my impressions and some pictures), we was invited to a wine tasting and finally we had the eagerly awaited private dinner with Monsieur Jean-Claude Biver, head of watchmaking business at global luxury conglomerate LVMH and Chairman of Hublot's Administrative Board.

So, we spent the afternoon in wine tasting... What's better for PuristS??? smile Simply perfect, don't you? ;-)

 

 

Our host was Madame Coraline de Wurstemberger, owner of Les Dames de Hautecour, located in Mont-sur-Rolle. We was particularly fortunate, since while we was entering the Villa in a nearby vineyard they were celebrating the grape harvest ending, with bangs and sounds!

 














The history of the Company is quite interesting. I've translated the following infos from a book they've given us. Since 1649, the "Domaine de Hautecour" is owned by women. Over time, the vineyards were transmitted to their children: Louise, Julie-Pauline, Adèle, Blanche, Ernestine, Théodora... Having inherited family plots, Coraline de Wurstemberger paid tribute to its ancestors line. In 2003, she renamed the Domaine "Les Dames de Hautecour". A new spirit accompanies this evolution, which combines tradition and creativity. Coraline Wurstemberger spent his childhood in Paris, lived in Rome and worked several years in Africa and Asia for an humanitarian organization. She is a founding member of the Swiss Association " Les Artisanes de la Vigne et du Vin " and "International Associated Women in Wine". Her daughter Camille lives in the Domaine.

I've found in the above words a subtle connection with Hublot, where they state that the Company "combines tradition and creativity". I will come back later on this argument.

 












The wine tasting was relaxing and refreshing and everybody have appreciated both the wines and the stories nicely narrated by M.me de Wurstemberger, that kindly introduced us to the various wines. One thing must be underlined: Swiss wines are really excellent (in my point of view, the white ones are better than the reds) and they deserve greater attention.

 









Here, you can see the seven bottles the fellow PuristS have enjoyed and four bottles from the past.






Our unforgettable night, maybe the very “heart” of the PoT, was spent in Lausanne: we've met M. Jean-Claude Biver in the fantastic venue of the restaurant La Table d’Edgard, inside the Hotel Lausanne Palace & Spa.

 















The welcome was incredibly warm and friendly: M. Biver shook everybody's hand and asked about the origin (he told me something like this: "Everytime there's at least an Italian in this kind of private dinners!!!"smile)

After an aperitif in a wonderful terrace on the lake Léman, we had the great pleasure of hearing from M. Biver the actual explanation of the motto "The Art of Fusion". We was almost hypnotised by the intensity of M. Biver's speech. A lot of things have been discussed, but firstly I’d like to jump to the conclusion: at the end, I must say that my consideration for Hublot has increased a lot, since the idea of M. Biver to represent Hublot not only as a luxury watch brand and not only as a respectable Manufacture but as a complex of values and visions, convinced me for its coherence and consistence.

So, we're talking about "The Art of Fusion"... M. Biver's speech was quite wide-spreading and I can't report every word. M. Biver has started from the beginning, or the reason why he had chosen Hublot. Then, he explained the challenge of a Company that wants to bring the prestigious tradition of Swiss watchmaking into the future. To understand the seriousness of such a vision, we should remember that M. Biver was one of the man that had mainly worked for the recognition and re-birth of Swiss watchmaking, as an Industry and as Art. How he wants to put into reality this claim? Simply thinking like the man that - probably more than everybody else - has revolutionised watchmaking, Monsieur Abraham-Luis Breguet: Hublot wants to take advantage of every opportunity offered by contemporary technology, especially on new materials, no less than any other industry. This way, Hublot can realise a Fusion between the best tradition and the most fascinating and promising future.

Throughout the dinner, various questions were arised to M. Biver, and he kindly answered to all of them. For example, he admitted that nobody knows how much silicon parts will last, but it would be a shame not to use them. He explained the role of Tag Heuer and Zenith in the current LVMH portfolio and said that there aren't interesting Brands to be bought, at the moment, so it's better to focus on the internal development, also with a greater level of independence from other Manufacturers. He also reminded us that the first market for Hublot is actually Japan, because of the common sensibility to what an object represents and the Japanese highly recognised capability to realise in every moment of their life the same wishing of Hublot: to create a Fusion between Tradition and Future. One of the best stories M. Biver presented to us was the actual Hublot genesis and he even made up a sketch of the first Hublots, comparing it with the iconic design of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, because in both case the designers declared that their inspiration was the portholes.

 









During the dinner our beloved CEO Melvyn and Moderator Andrew presented M. Biver our gifts.












What’s was on M. Biver’s wrist? Well, something special, of course: the Hublot King Power Minute Repeater Chrono Tourbillon. The way you have to activate the minute repeater is “mysterious” and… ahem… I must confess that I wasn’t able to get it…

 



Ok, that's all. Well, no, I haven't finished yet: please let me express my best THANK YOU to PuristSPro for having allowed me to take part in this PoT and THANK YOU Hublot and M. Biver for the unforgettable experience.

 



Please, stay tuned, my PoT reports aren’t finished, since the day two was also full of beautiful moments!!!

Arrivederci,

 

Elio


More posts: Big BangBigger BangChronographKingKing PowerRoyal Oak

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Comments: view entire thread

 

Great report, Elio!

 
 By: KIH : November 6th, 2014-04:48
You are now more expert on Hublot than many of us. M. Biver's comment on Japan made me very happy proud. I am very much looking forward to meeting him next time! Keep writing about Hublot, Elio! Many thanks! Ken

Hublot October event in Nyon and Lausanne

 
 By: Rock1 : November 6th, 2014-20:37
Elio, great photos and terrific writing. It was really a special day... the highlight was the very interesting, fun tour of Hublot. The afternoon wine-tasting was terrific and the elegant evening with J-C Biver with his wife Sandra was extraordinary. He i... 

Hey Evan!!!!! It was a pleasure to meet you but...

 
 By: heartbreaker : November 15th, 2014-13:12
... you have to scan that drawing and share it here! Only later, you're authorized to frame it! :-D ;-) Many thanks for your kind words and arrivederci!!! Elio

Framed and on the wall

 
 By: Rock1 : November 26th, 2014-08:15
Elio, Here it is...on wall in my office. Evan ...  

WOW! It deserves such an exposition, well done!

 
 By: heartbreaker : November 26th, 2014-13:16
Dear Evan, Thank you for let me enjoy another time this little piece of story (and a big piece of memories). Next picture, I want to see you with an Hublot on the wrist, ok? Maybe the new Magic Gold Unico? I think it's really cool... Ciao, Elio

Magic Gold Unico

 
 By: Rock1 : November 28th, 2014-09:29
Elio, If you can obtain a Big Bang Magic Gold Unico in the near future then I'm in. Beverly Hill Boutique is taking deposits but has no idea of price and when it's available. Maybe you can send a personal request to Monsieur J-C Biver? That is the watch t... 

What a great report! Thank you for sharing!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : November 8th, 2014-14:40
And bringing us along with you. Glad you guys enjoyed the wine tasting and the dinner with Mr Biver. I didn't know Hublot was first launched in japan. Interesting! I enjoyed your report a lot. Thank you for taking time to take the photos and do the write ... 

Thank you, Robin! Just a clarification...

 
 By: heartbreaker : November 15th, 2014-13:24
Hi Robin, thank you for your attention and kindness. I have to better explain what I've written: "[...] He also reminded us that the first market for Hublot is actually Japan [...]". I wanted to say that Japan is the Country where Hublot sell the relative... 

Thanks Elio for the clarification!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : November 15th, 2014-15:58
Once again I'm learning more and more about this brand here from experts like you guys :) Cheers Robin