HUBLOT HOSTS GALA DINNER TO COMMEMORATE 150 YEARS OF DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN JAPAN AND SWITZERLAND Special 15 Pieces From The Aero Bang All White Special Edition Also Unveiled An inscription inspired by the “Miracle Lone Pine Tree” adorns the case back
Hublot hosted a gala dinner at the Park Hyatt Tokyo on September 12, 2014, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and Switzerland, and unveiled 15 special pieces from the “Aero Bang All White Special Edition”. On the case back of the watch was inspired by the “miracle lone pine tree.”
More than 150 guests attended Hublot’s gala dinner and enjoyed a fusion between Swiss, Japan, and Hublot: A special performance by the calligrapher Shishu, who created the design on the case back, Swiss wines especially selected for Hublot by Office des Vins Vaudois (OVV) and the world’s best sommelier Paolo Basso, a fusion concept dinner, and a jazz performance. In addition, Hublot Chairman and President of the Watch Division at LVMH Watch & Jewelry Jean-Claude Biver and the chairman of the OVV Pierre Keller attended and celebrated the occasion.
Jean-Claude Biver commented: “The individuality, craftsmanship and modernism that both Japan and Switzerland share are values that Hublot also cherish. In addition, I think 150 years of amical relationship was possible through ‘the strong connection of people.’ This is another commonality between two great nations and Hublot, whose principle is founded on ‘fusion’. I was extremely shocked in 2011 when I heard about the news of the Great East Japan Earthquake. At the same time, I was moved by the attitude of the Japanese people, who valued respect and politeness even in the face of an unprecedented devastation. That image, how the Japanese people carried themselves with courage and hope during hardships, overlapped with the image of the “miracle lone pine tree” that I saw on a news coverage few years later. Since then, we have been extending our support, and I am pleased to have this opportunity to unveil a special timepiece that pays tribute to the ‘miracle lone pine tree’ and further support the affected area’s reconstruction.
The design was created by Shishu, who has been working to serve as a linking bridge between Switzerland and Japan. “
One of the 15 pieces of “Aero Bang All White Special Edition” with the “miracle lone pine tree” special case back with a number 00/15 was auctioned off at the gala dinner along with a work by Shishu. The profit from the auction and a portion of the proceeds from the sales of the 14 remaining watches, and the amount of recent charity activities totaling approximately 10 million Japanese yen will be donated to the “Kamiosabe no Sato” who maintains the temporary playground at Kesen Elementary School in Kesen-machi Kamiosabe in the city of Rikuzentakata. This playground with year round green turf was created by locals, whose effort was initiated by a former national football player Hisashi Kato, to benefit the children and people living in the area.
After the auction, a pot of plant with a turf and an Hublot desk alarm clock were presented by Hublot Chairman Jean-Claude Biver to Mr. Hisashi Kato as a representative gift of the donation.
The Special “Miracle Lone Pine Tree” Model
The comprehensive and calculated design – a steel case with a daring façade with sides made out of composite resin; a strap that is accented with red double-stitching that combines white rubber with calfskin leather; the automatic chronograph movement that can be seen in the half skeleton dial finished by skilled Swiss craftsmen – creates a timepiece that is luxurious yet also sporty. Sapphire glass was used for the case back, which includes an inscription written by Shishu that was inspired by the ”miracle lone pine tree.” A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the “Kamiosabe no Sato” who maintains the temporary grounds at Kesen Elementary School in Kesen-machi Kamiosabe in the city of Rikuzentakata.
Profile of Shishu Calligrapher, and an artist: She sublimates traditional Japanese writing into art – as paintings, calligraphy, media art and sculpture – to express her intentions and holds exhibitions around the world. Her representative works include Ryomaden and Bi no Tsubo for NHK; JAPAN for the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Cool Japan for Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; an event to commemorate the removal of a shrine at Ise Shrine; and an event to commemorate the reconstruction of Kasuga Taisha.
- Exhibitions: World Economic Forum meetings in Davos, Switzerland; the Venice Biennale in Italy; the Guimet Museum in France
- Awards:The Teshima Yukei award; the G1 Summit New Generation Leaders’ Award
- Cultural activities: Supervised the Love Letter Project and related social contributions; supervised the Japan Isshin Project
- Professor at the Osaka University of Arts; member of the NHK Central Broadcasting and Programming Council (2010-2014); supporter of the Japan Pavilion at the World Expo in Milan
She plans to hold a solo exhibition at the hpgrp GALLERY New York in November 2014 in New York and a solo show in Miyakonojo in December, and in the same month will be exhibiting 20m as an artist representing Japan at the Carrousel du Louvre at the Louvre Museum in France.
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