HUBLOT DEPECHE MODE SPIRIT OF THE BIG BANG DEPECHE MODE MEMENTO MORI
English music group Depeche Mode has long collaborated with Hublot to design limited edition watches that are sold to support a variety of good causes, including raising public awareness and funding environmental and humanitarian causes. Their collaboration began 14 years ago with a series of watches with unique dials featuring the album cover.
The new Hublot Spirit of the Big Bang Depeche Mode features a skull dial in tribute to the band’s latest album, Memento Mori. The band previously went on hiatus, but last year they broke their silence with the release of a new album, Memento Mori, and a tour to commemorate the passing of one of its members. The band had already planned the release of the album “Memento Mori”, and the tragic incident strengthened their resolve to bring the album to life as a reminder to people to fully live in the moment and reflect on the value of time. This concept is symbolized on the clock by a skull adorned with an hourglass.
In March 2023, Depeche Mode announced their big comeback with the release of Memento Mori, their 15th studio album, as well as a world concert tour. Still affiliated with a band that has sold more than 100 million albums, Hublot is helping to raise funds and awareness for the Conservation Collective, a global charity that brings together a network of regional charities working to protect, conserve and restore the environment. Thanks to funding from Depeche Mode and Hublot, the first round of projects to combat plastic pollution in 2023 has supported seven impactful initiatives in seven countries, and three more rounds of funding will drive even more positive change. The projects aim to turn the tide on plastic by stimulating local waste management, plastic-free and clean-up initiatives.
It is against this backdrop that Hublot and Depeche Mode have teamed up again in Berlin, 11 years after their first joint event in the German capital, to launch a new limited edition watch: The Spirit of Big Bang Depeche Mode. The signature Spirit of Big Bang barrel shape is designed to reflect the iconic aesthetic of Hublot All Black. Created in collaboration with Depeche Mode, the design combines a skull motif – an emblem seen in the video announcing the band’s return – with an hourglass symbolizing the passage of time. The center of the dial is filled with small black ceramic spheres that symbolically move back and forth with the movement of the wrist, conveying the concept of Memento Mori. This Latin phrase, meaning “remember death,” is meant to encourage reflection on the transience of life. Next to the dial at 6 o’clock are the initials DM, the logo of the British band. The indices are shaped like pyramidal pins, a motif echoed by the black ceramic bezel.
The 42mm barrel-shaped case is crafted from sandblasted polished black ceramic. The case for this Depeche Mode series is made of ceramic. This means the color will not fade from scratches. The use of ceramic as the case material also sets it apart from many other all-black watches on the market.
Despite the ceramic material, the case retains a significant amount of detail, such as faceted surfaces and chamfers, made with contrasting finishes such as polishing and sandblasting. This is notable because ceramics are more difficult to process. It is equipped with a self-winding Caliber HUB1710_SD movement with a power reserve of 50 hours. Each Spirit of Big Bang Depeche Mode model comes with two straps that are easily interchangeable thanks to the patented One Click system. The first is made from recycled materials and Velcro, in line with the Conservation Collective’s initiative to combat plastic pollution. The second, made of black rubber, has a ceramic folding clasp. It is decorated with pyramid-shaped rivets already present on the bezel and dial, which create an exceptionally “rock” atmosphere.
Each of the 100 copies of this limited edition will come in a special box containing a wonderful surprise: a 10-inch vinyl single of Depeche Mode Waving Tongue, available only as part of this package and produced using green energy and recycled PVC.
“Memento Mori encourages us to be more aware of how fragile our existence is. That’s why joining forces with our trusted friends at Hublot makes so much sense. Together we can raise public awareness of environmental issues and support the Conservation Collective in their efforts to protect our planet and life in all its forms.”
– Ben Goldsmith – founded the Conservation Collective in 2020 to open new channels of philanthropic funding to increase and amplify the impact of local environmental initiatives.
Environmental philanthropy faces two key challenges: convincing people to give money to the biggest problem of our time, and directing that money to the most impactful environmental initiatives.
The Conservation Collective has a proven, winning formula for both. “We are creating donor clubs linked to the places they care about to open up new channels of funding for nature restoration. We’ve seen that people have an instinctive attachment to place, and that when it comes to conservation and philanthropy, we’re all more likely to want to protect the places we know and love.
We create, develop and support local environmental funds. Around the world, people are working tirelessly to protect the places they love from the impacts of climate change and the biodiversity crisis. Those most affected by environmental problems are often best positioned to address them, and local action is our most powerful weapon.
Our member foundations are unlocking new funding for the best and most impactful grassroots projects to conserve, protect and restore the biodiversity of ecosystems on land and underwater, and to slow and adapt to climate change.
We encourage increasingly effective environmental philanthropy. Our growing network of foundations has already raised millions of pounds for impactful initiatives, and we’re just getting started…”
CHARACTERISTICS
- HUB1710 self-winding movement. Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 A/h). Power reserve 50 hours.
- Black ceramic, diameter 42mm, thickness 13.8mm, waterproof 100m
- Black plated sapphire with metal skull and hourglass appliqué. The hourglass mechanism is built into the dial.
- Limited edition 100 pcs.
- First bracelet: black rubber strap with pyramid stud decoration. Additional black recycled fabric strap with black ceramic buckle
REFERENCE
646.CI.0110.RX.DPM24
