When mentioning impactful global figures, the late Nobel Prize winning Nelson Mandela is a name that bears no negation. The South African anti-apartheid revolutionary has been revered for his dedication to philantrophy, human rights, and democracy, as well as his appointment as the first black President of South Africa, and Swiss watchmakers, Hublot have unveiled the Hublot Classic Fusion House of Mandela watch as a tribute to the great man.
The timepiece is crafted with 18k king gold, a red-gold alloy, and finished with a semi-matte black alligator strap. The 45mm case bears subtle tributes to Mandela throughout. His signature appears on the bezel between 12 and 1 o’clock, and the dial features the Mandela family sigil, a bee with its wings outstretched into tree branches, representing the Mandela family tree. The bee is also a nod to Mandela’s Xhosa name, Rolihlahla, which means “he who is brave enough to fetch honey from the honeycomb”, a metaphor for challenging the status quo. The outline of South Africa appears as a window to the watch’s inner mechanics on the caseback, atop which is Mandela’s handprint.
Part of the watch’s US $30,900 price tag will be donated to the House of Mandela, an organisation dedicated to continuing Mandela’s human rights initiatives as well as supporting the education of underpriviliged South African children, though it might set some eyebrows furrowing from the disparity between flashy extravagence and a noble cause.
CEO of Hubot, Ricardo Guadalupe, shared his intentions towards releasing the tribute timepiece. “It is an honor for us to have been able to create this piece as a tribute to such an important figure as Nelson Mandela, who has made a lasting mark on the history of humanity. The Classic Fusion House of Mandela is a way for us to ensure the philosophy and actions of this great man continue to live on.”
For those interested in contributing to the cause, the watch can be purchased here.
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