Last weekend Europe’s largest motorsport show returned to the Birmingham NEC arena and it did not disappoint. I wasn’t too sure what to expect at first, some motor shows can be quite basic with little interaction with the general public. But not Autosport International. The pre-season motor show made sure everyone went home feeling involved, exhilarated and wanting more!

The impressive open plan exhibition floor was packed full of motors from every genre of racing. Whether you prefer admiring the colourful range of kitted out stock cars, checking out the karts of national champions like Danny Keirle (CIK World Championship winner 2017) or fantasising about driving one of the incredible F1 monsters, Autosport International had it all covered.

As the festive season draws to a close and the New Year looms ever closer the mood is beginning to change. We would be lying to ourselves if we didn’t admit that everyone’s lost the excitement we had all built up inside in the weeks running up to the big man in red’s arrival. But we should push those January blues to one side because there are far too many events in the New Year to look forward to and get excited about.

One particular event Time journal is eager to attend next month is the highly anticipated Autosport International and Performance Car Show at the NEC arena in Birmingham. In two weeks time petrol heads, professional race drivers, popular manufacturers, motor tuning specialists and influential speakers will all gather together under one roof to celebrate their love of motorsports. Whilst we wait eagerly for January 11^th to arrive, we’ve decided to put together a quick ‘what to expect’ summary to give you an idea on what and who will be there, and why this is an event that should not be missed!

On Tuesday evening, Time Journal attended the exciting launch of Grand Auto, the up and coming London motor show, which will make its highly anticipated debut at the Olympia London next July.

Let’s get the more important details out the way before enticing you with specifics of the show shall we? Grand Auto is one of the many brilliant and exciting motor shows organised by Brand Events, a company that has been putting the craving desire for live action first since 1999. Chris Hughes, the CEO of Brand Events has been successfully setting up and running a variety of shows for the public since the early noughties.

Some of the most popular include MPH Show (what later became known as Top Gear Live!), The London Classic Car Show and Car Fest, the second largest motor show in Britain. Brand Events’ successful past endeavors speak for themselves, and so without even knowing the details of Grand Auto, already we can tell the show is going to be something special.

Next month, the advent calendar countdown to Christmas will commence, and the last minute Christmas shopping rush will shortly follow. Since December is such an expensive month (our wallets and purses certainly feel the pain come New Years), now is the time to jump the gun and grab some deluxe goods at rock bottom prices. Although Black Friday isn’t officially until 24th November, a number of sample sales and stock clearance sales are taking place this week across London, and you’d be a fool not to attend!

Reiss
Date: 23rd November – 26th November 2017
Entry: FREE
Location: Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, F Block G4, London, E1 6QL

The UK based fashion brand, founded by David Reiss in 1971 will be hosting a four-day clearance sale at the above address. There will be both menswear and women’s wear on sale, so make sure you bring your partners, friends, brothers and sisters along to enjoy a well-earned spending spree. You can expect to see some incredible price tags with clothing starting from just £10. But don’t worry if you can’t make the first day of the sale, because organisers will be adding new stock and refreshing the rails every day!

Browse the official site here.

Geneva was extremely eventful last weekend having accommodated a number of highly prestigious watch auctions. Phillips Auctioneers oversaw the ‘Geneva Watch Auction: SIX’, Sotheby managed the ‘Important Watches’ auction; Antiquorum held their fourth auction of the year, and Christie’s supervised the biannual ‘Only Watch’ charity auction. It is therefore safe to say that over the weekend, there was an abundance of rare and attractive timepieces up for grabs in the world’s watch capital. However, it was Christie’s ‘Only Watch’ auction and its incredibly rare timepieces that attracted the world’s attention.

Only Watch is an extremely unique event to attend, not simply because it occurs only once every two years, but also because there is an array of the incredibly rare and one-of-a-kind timepieces up for sale. All of the participating watchmakers design and create an exceptional, unique wristwatch that is donated to the organisers, Association Monegasque Contre les Myopathies or AMM. The rare and luxury timepieces are then sold on to the highest bidder at auction, with all proceeds going towards funding the research of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Regent Street is a major shopping destination in the heart of London. Along the stretch of road stand some of Britain’s most popular and historic stores, including Hamleys Toy Store, which opened in 1881, and the luxury department store Liberty, which opened in 1875. But last Saturday, Regent Street not only attracted those seeking luxury clothing and toys; the street also enticed motor junkies as its hosted the annual Regent Street Motor Show. The motor show promised a ‘showcase of 125 years of motoring including veteran, vintage, classic, and modern-day cars’, and it certainly delivered. Last year the event was a huge success after attracting around 400,000 visitors, and this year it triumphed once again.

So what when on last Saturday?

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot revealed its new timepiece in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot in honour of the 10th anniversary Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic taking place on June 3, where Hublot is serving as the official timekeeper and scoreboard sponsor.

To kick off this year’s Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic, the unofficial New York event of summer, Hublot and Veuve Clicquot hosted an intimate cocktail event at the Fifth Avenue Boutique. Media and friends of both brands were invited to view the new timepiece, Classic Fusion Veuve Clicquot, and mingle over a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label champagne. The watch was unveiled by Jean-François Sberro, Managing Director of Hublot America, alongside famed Argentinian polo player and captain of the Veuve Clicquot Polo Team, Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Figueras. Later in the evening, Jean-François presented Nacho with the timepiece, and wished him luck in the forthcoming match this weekend. Guests continued celebrating over hors d’oeuvres and champagne. Nacho’s wife, Delfina Blaquier, was also in attendance.

This Saturday, June 3 the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic will celebrate its 10th anniversary by returning to Liberty State Park for an afternoon of polo, picnicking, and champagne hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, all in Hublot time! Hublot will serve as the official timekeeper and scoreboard sponsor for the match, and Nacho Figueras will be sporting the collaboration watch. Hublot’s brand presence extends to the Rosé Garden where vitrines of Hublot timepieces will be on display. The Roseé Garden is an intimate and exclusive experience with glamourous lounge décor and a prime view of the game, drawing a star-studded list of celebrities and socialites on the ‘green carpet’. The day will end with a special performance by 15-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer, actress Alicia Keys.

Nacho Figueras, Captain, Veuve Clicquot Polo Team, noted, “It has been an honour to be a part of this amazing Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic event since the very beginning. My passion has always been to make polo a more mainstream and accessible sport and it is great to have the support of partners like Hublot to help bring new offerings to the experience. The 10th anniversary celebration will be one to remember!”

Jean-François Sberro, Managing Director, Hublot of America, commented, “We are thrilled to announce our limited edition watch in collaboration with Veuve Clicquot, and our partnerhsip with yet another prestigious polo tournament, the Veuve Clicquot Polo Classic for their 10th anniversary celebration. Veuve Clicquot defines their brand by being ‘modern and audacious’, while living up to their motto of being the finest in quality. This philosophy resonated with us at Hublot as we strive to be a trailblazer in the watch industry; always evolving to be at the forefront of new concepts and technology. Our shared attributes, along with Hublot’s love for the sport, made this partnership feel like a natural connection.”

Hublot has a long-standing history of supporting polo across the world, including Polo Gold Cup Gstaad, Ascona, which for four years served as Headline Sponsor and Official Timekeeper, Sotogrande Polo Tournament, Cortina Winter Polo Cup, and more. The brand’s continued partnership with this elite equestrian event is the perfect synthesis between sport and tradition, reinforcing Hublot’s Art of Fusion creative concept.

Retailing at $17,700, the Classic Fusion Veuve Clicquot will be available at the Hublot Fifth Avenue Boutique in New York City, and is a limited run of ten pieces.

hublot.com

Hublot fits out the players, times and supports the most prize charity match in Europe. Two days before the beginning of the 75th edition of the Monaco Grand Prix, the World Stars friendly football match brought together the likes of H.S.H. Prince Albert II as captain of the AS Star Team for Children and Felipe Massa, driver behind the wheel of the “Piloti” drivers team. Joining them on the pitch, stars of football, skiing, cycling and Formula One to take on each other on under the direction of Claudio Ranieri under the rhythm set by Hublot’s fourth official panels. To symbolise their solidarity to a good cause, the two teams wore specially designed Hublot kits.

The World Stars Football Match Monaco has been taking place every year for 25 years on the fringe of the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix. A friendly match gathering around thirty celebrities and sports stars on the pitch. Led by H.S.H Prince Albert II, the AS Star Team for Children combined the speed of the motorcycle racer Loris Capirossi, the Italian cyclist Claudio Chiapucci with the tactics of the international footballers such as William Gallas, Marco Simone, Olivier Dacourt, Ludovic Giuly, Patrice Loko and Francesco Toldo.

The team of H.S.H Prince Albert II held their own against the World F1 Drivers Association with a score of 2-1. A team bringing together all the talent and performances of leading drivers such as Mika Häkkinen, Mick Schumacher, Daniel Ricciardo, to name a few, united alongside driver Felipe Massa.

As with international matches at both UEFA EURO championships, FIFA World Cup and on the fringes of the UEFA Champions League final, the officials’ panel is Hublot branded at the edge of the pitch and advertising panels around the field also displayed the black and white colours of this prestigious watch brand. A relay match, enabling all the players, fitted out in special Hublot coloured kit, to play in the game at the Louis II stadium. Celebrities and athletes united in solidarity for a good cause that let the strength of their football studs raise money for various charitable associations under the watchful eye of their coach, Claudio Ranieri.

At the stadium, on the pitch, and also in the streets of the principality, as the official timekeeper for the match, the Swiss watchmaker proudly shows its colours. It shared the billing on a hundred kakemonos with Ferrari, its long-term partner, which has made a promising start to the season thanks to the victories in Australia and Bahrain, as well as podium finishes in China, Spain and a double in Russia. This flying start has enabled Sebastian Vettel, Scuderia drive and quadruple world champion, to move to the top of the drivers’ championship. The spirit of Hublot was firmly felt amongst the entire principality.

www.hublot.com

The scene was set in Cannes as Finch & Partners, and partner Jaeger-LeCoultre, awarded Italian director Paolo Sorrentino the Annual Filmmakers Award in front of prestigious guests at the luxurious Hotel du Cap, Antibes.

“It is great to honour Paolo whose spirit both as an artist and as a man is greatly inspired to me personally. His work encompasses the most important elements of life to me. Love, humour, passion and the unexpected spirit and fantasy” said Charles Finch, CEO of Finch & Partners.

The event, hosted by Charles Finch, featured a night of stars and icons. In attendance was models Coco Rocha and Naomi Campbell, actors and actresses Adrien Brody, Gemma Arterton and Elizabeth Olsen and iconic directors Arnold Schwarzenegger and Takashi Miike – amongst others.

Guests enjoyed a night of cocktails, good food and dancing way into the night. For the third year, guests were invited to view a special photographic exhibition, ‘The Art of Behind The Scenes’, which showcased exquisite photos from some of the most accomplished on-set photographers. The exhibition was produced by Finch & Partners and Jaeger-LeCoultre, and features previously unseen images of Brigitte Bardot, Sophia Loren and James Dean. This year the exhibition also included a series of contemporary photos taken in New York, Paris and Shanghai with a vintage Compass camera developed in 1937 by Jaeger-LeCoultre.

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s involvement in photography dates back to 1937, when LeCoultre and Cie manufactured the Compass: a full-featured camera small enough to fit in a cigarette packet based on a demanding design by Englishman Noel Pemberton Billing, a reality that only a watchmaker could fulfil. Only 4,000 models were ever made. The Compass camera featured an exposure meter, rangefinder, EV indicator, angle viewfinder, telescopic lens shade, built-in filters and a device for panoramic and stereoscopic view. The 1938 even claimed the camera was “Built like a watch – as simple to use”.

Haute horologerie and the world of photography and cinema certainly share similar values: they both create dreams and a sense of wonder through aesthetic and technical mastery. Jaeger-LeCoultre draws upon the talent of its many artisans to create exceptional watch objects in the same way it takes exceptional writes, actors, directors and technicians to create a piece of filmmaking art. In the end, it is all about two worlds infused with creative ingenuity.

Images courtesy of Jaeger-LeCoultre

Hublot launched its latest demonstration of perfect fusion with the unveiling of the Classic Fusion Chronograph Aerofusion RED, created with specialist luxury retailer The Watch Gallery. To mark the occasion of the latest celebrated collaboration in the successful creative partnership, the invincible haute horology duo revealed a new 45mm timepiece at a cocktail event held at the very stylish rooftop venue Aqua Kyoto, on London’s landmark Regent’s Street.

Hublot had the privilege of collaborating with The Watch Gallery on 3 limited edition series launched in the past three years, all of which were met with tremendous commercial and advertorial success. Previous editions had harnessed a fusion of titanium and ceramic with touches of blue, but in true innovative style, the new edition pushes the envelope with bold and daring red accents.

The new Classic Fusion Chronograph Aerofusion RED made a striking and impactful showcase with 45 units of the special edition timepiece individually represented in contrasting red-framed presentation cases.

Attended by 300 guests, journalists and customers of the brand, the event boasted a modern takeover of a highly renowned venue in the heart of the British capital.

Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman on Hublot and President of the LVMH Group Watch Division co-hosted the event with David Coleridge, Chairman of The Watch Gallery, they were joined by Hublot brand ambassador Maxime Büchi, creative designer and leading international tattoo artist. Presenter and DJ Zara Martin provided the evening soundtrack over the spectacular views of central London.

In keeping with Hublot’s bold and confident image, RED is the carefully considered accent tone which can be adorning the lacquered rings of the special edition timepieces dial, the rhodium plated hands and the accent stitching added to the black alligator leather strap. The satin-finished and polished titanium case adds a sense of robust durability whilst the expertise of fine watchmaking is elegantly apparent to the trained eye with the self-winding skeleton chronograph movement featuring a 42-hour power reserve.

In continuation of the Hublot’s vision to develop luxury timepieces that ‘fuse’ tradition with innovation; a unique philosophy seen in the brand’s Classic Fusion collection, combining classical watchmaking and cutting-edge design with exceptional craftsmanship.

The Classic Fusion is the most contemporary and understated of the Hublot collections, and is inspired by the brand’s first avant-garde designs initially launched by the company in 1980, when the brand was founded. Hublot pioneered the innovative use of gold with rubber, daringly fusing precious and industrials materials in iterations that disrupted the watch making conventions of its time.

The Classic Fusion Chronograph special edition is limited to just 45 pieces, it is available throughout The Watch Gallery’s prestigious Hublot outlets: The Wonder Room, Selfridges, Oxford Street London; The Watch Gallery, Westfield and online.