FIFA and Hublot have unveiled three giant Hublot official countdown clocks for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
Designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the clocks were unveiled on Wednesday (June 12) exactly 365 days before the kick-off to the world’s most watched sporting event.
Hublot chairman Jean-Claude Biver lifted the veil on the Copacabana clock in the presence of FIFA secretary general Jérôme Valcke and football legend and Hublot ambassador for the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Pelé.
The clocks, commissioned by Hublot, are the last project to have been personally led by Niemeyer, the great Brazilian architect prior to his passing in December 2012.
At the time of the commissioning, in late 2011, a first meeting was arranged between Niemeyer, FIFA and Hublot in the architect’s studio on the Copacabana.
According to Hublot, the chemistry was there instantly and it was with great enthusiasm that Niemeyer outlined the involvement he was looking forward to having with a project directly related to the FIFA World Cup being held in his country.
“As a tribute to the great man, Hublot created a Limited Edition Big Bang Oscar Niemeyer watch following this first encounter.”
The clocks are installed at the heart of Brazil’s three largest cities to symbolise a welcome to the world and the pride of hosting the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil.
They are situated on the Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro; on the prestigious Avenida Brigadeiro Faria Lima in Sao Paulo; and right next to the famed TV tower in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil and the city that is a testament to Oscar Niemeyer’s architectural design.
Hublot is the official timekeeper and the official watch of the 2014 FIFA Football World Cup Brazil.