This year’s FIFA World Cup has been an exciting one for English fans, with the country’s team reaching the semi-finals for the first time in 28 years. Many young England fans have never known their team to get this far, and the mood is one of jubilation and excitement for the match to come. Praise for this year’s surprise success is going to the recently installed England manager, Gareth Southgate, who famously played for England during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Southgate has captured the nation’s attention during this tournament with his focused and respectful demeanour, as well as his smart looks. His signature waistcoat, shirt and tie give him a very dapper appearance, and many have been talking about his rather eye-catching watch.
A decent watch is a must for any football manager, as decisions have to be made based on the time that is left in the match, and of course it helps to keep an eye on the time taken up by any stoppages. The watch that Gareth Southgate has chosen to wear in the public eye during games is a particularly apt choice and one which is making waves in the watch-selling industry – the Hublot Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Hublot Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
The Hublot Big Bang Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia may be a bit of a mouthful, but the watch itself has a beautiful simplicity. As a smart watch, it’s got a range of features which you’re more than likely familiar with, as well as a few interesting extras. For instance, for the duration of the 2018 World Cup it will announce matches 15 minutes before kick-off, announce red and yellow cards, player changes and goals, it will vibrate and display GOAL on-screen whenever a goal is scored, and it will show match statistics during games, which is useful for those who like to be in the know about all aspects of the tournament.
The watch itself is undeniably good-looking, with an attractive, round, 49mm case and a black rubber strap, as is the classic Hublot style. The display shows the flags of all participating FIFA World Cup 2018 teams, and you can even set it to look like a normal analogue watch should you wish.
Hublot Watches
Hublot is a relatively young Swiss watchmaking company, having been founded in 1980 by an Italian man named Carlo Crocco. He named the company after the French word for ‘porthole’, and when you look at the signature Hublot style you can see why this name was chosen. A round, heavily framed dial which has a very porthole-esque feel is almost always featured, along with rubber straps.
Football has long been a part of the Hublot journey, and when you look at their track record it’s easy to see why Gareth Southgate chose to wear his over other high-end choices. Special versions of the famous Hublot Big Bang timepiece were given to referees at UEFA Euro 2008, and in this year Hublot also agreed a sponsorship deal with Manchester United, putting them squarely in the centre of the action. They have also endorsed other world-leading football clubs such as FC Bayern Munich and Juventus, and seem passionate about ‘the beautiful game’.
Hublot became the official timekeeper of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and subsequently, the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, so they understand exactly what managers will require from a watch within that arena, as it were. Southgate’s choice is a wise one.
Get The Look
The Hublot Referee 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia is, as its name suggests, a limited edition timepiece. Only 2018 of this model were made, and they have all been sold at the time of writing. They cost around £3,700 new, but any which are resold are likely to fetch more than that due to the excitement surrounding Gareth Southgate’s decision to wear one during such a successful campaign.
Of course, if England really does make it all the way then demand for these watches is bound to rise, so the chances of getting your hands on one are slim. However, you can still achieve the signature look with other Hublot timepieces. We have a number of pre-owned Hublot models in stock, and while our available range is ever-changing, here are some examples of what we have to offer:
The Hublot MDM - £3,495
This stunning Hublot MDM is a beautifully crafted and extremely accurate divers watch, which is perfect for wearing during special occasions, to the office or even whilst playing football! This example has a 35mm 18ct gold case, a black dial and a 19cm rubber strap, just like Southgate’s version. The movement is automatic and the classic design also incorporates a subtle date display. This watch is elegant, understated and in-your-face all at the same time, and it even has a window at the back so that you can see some of the inner workings of the watch. The dial andthe clasp both feature the Hublot logo.
The Hublot Classic Fusion - £5,750
If you want something with a bit more bling, this unisex Hublot Classic Fusion may be what you’re looking for. This example features a titanium case and a black dial, which is surrounded by 36 small diamonds. The elegance of the diamonds is offset by the classic black rubber strap and the solid construction of the design, which has that signature porthole feel. This design also features a viewing window to the reverse of the dial, and comes with its stunning original box.
All of our watches are thoroughly vetted by our in-house horologists, and their serial numbers are checked against the manufacturer’s databases to ensure they are the genuine article. We service and fully clean all timepieces before sale, helping our customers to get an authentic high-end, luxury watch in full working order for a fraction of the cost. Check out our amazing range today, or go in-store to find out more.
Photo courtesy of https://www.bbc.com, no copyright infringement is intended
