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News • 23 May 2014
30 Days to go before the start of the FIFA World Cup: a double win for Hublot!
The famous head coach of the Brazilian squad made a special trip to Switzerland to visit Hublot “Présence Suisse” and Hublot take the opportunity to announce their new partnership for Brazil.
He is one of the biggest names in the upcoming FIFA World Cup, the most highly regarded coach in the competition, the chosen one to open the event on 12 June in Sao Paulo. Playing on his home turf, along with his team, he will be carrying all the hopes of millions of Brazilian fans. Known affectionately as “Felipão” by Brazilians, (or rather “Big Phil”) Luiz Felipe Scolari, head coach of the Brazilian National football team, is broad-shouldered enough to handle the pressure. He has led Brazil to victory before, back in 2002. Paying a special visit to Switzerland to meet the management of Hublot: Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot and President of the LVMH Group’s Watch Division, and Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot; Hublot is immensely proud to have the honour of welcoming him. This gives the Swiss watchmaking manufacture the opportunity to sport the Brazilian national colours!
On his arrival, “Felipão” was met with a short Brazilian-themed demonstration of moves from samba and football, outside the main entrance to Hublot’s headquarters, to mark the start of this very special afternoon for the Brazilian community in Switzerland. Hublot also welcomed the Brazilian Ambassador to Switzerland in Bern – His Excellency Igor Kipman –, and the Brazilian journalists, United Nations correspondents in Geneva, would not have missed the occasion for the world either. Mr Scolari was presented with a Hublot watch, numbered 00/50, which was named after him: the King Power Scolari, a watch developed in his honour, a limited edition of 50 timepieces which, understandably, has been eagerly anticipated in Brazil.
“Présence Suisse” has chosen Hublot!
This was the exceptional event that Hublot and Présence Suisse had been waiting for: the perfect moment to announce that they would be partnering Brazil in the upcoming World Cup. Ambassador Nicolas Bideau, Director of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, the body in charge of promoting Switzerland abroad, unveiled the grand plan of events, with Hublot in place throughout the competition with its “Résidence Suisse” and “Maison Suisse” hotels in Rio de Janeiro, where Hublot will be the exclusive timekeeping partner. Hublot watches will be on show at the venues, strategically placed in the visitor welcome areas, and events will be jointly organised on site to unite the attending Swiss nationals and to promote Swiss culture in Brazil.
Luiz Felipe Scolari (known as “Felipão”), born 9 November 1948 in Passo Fundo, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, is the Italian-born coach of the Brazilian football team, and current manager of the Brazilian national side. From 2001 to 2002, he coached the Brazilian squad to victory in the 2002 World Cup. He coached the Portugal national side from 2002 to 2008 and, under his management, the team reached the final of the Euro 2004 championship. Ten years after winning the world championship title, he returned to Brazil as manager in November 2012, with his sights set on the 2014 World Cup. In 2013, he led Brazil to victory in the Confederations Cup. He is renowned as one of the best technicians in the world.
Hublot is Official Timekeeper and Official Watch of the FIFA World Cup, and will be notably visible on the referee’s board throughout all the matches in the competition.
The Hour Glass is the proud exclusive retailer of Hublot in South East Asia and this timepiece retails for S$39,900.
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