9.63 seconds: that was the performance achieved by Usain Bolt in the 100 metres dash of the London Olympics Games which allowed him to retain his title. Let's be honest, the time window which was required to create this watch dedicated to the famous Jamaican sprinter should not have been very long either . And yet, in the long series of limited editions from Hublot, this King Power stands out thanks to few original details which raise its interest.
Of course, the horological contents has not changed one iota from some other King Power, such as the Dwayne Wade or the F1 India also using the HUB4100 movement. I regret that Hublot didn't take the decision to use its in-house movement, the Unico, to celebrate such amazing champion. Don't get me wrong. The HUB4100 is not a bad movement. It is after all the 7750 by Lajoux-Perret and as such, we don't have to fear any bad surprise: it works without any trouble and we don't need to prove its reliability. Moreover, it will remain during many and many years a movement easy to service with spare parts available. But a more exclusive movement would have been more consistent with the incredible Bolt's palmares.
I see two explanations behind this choice. The first, obvious, is the willingness to put the price in line with the other HUB4100 based limited series , more affordable than those using the Unico. The targetted customers are perhaps less fascinated by the context of the movement than for example a fan of a mechanical sport who will appreciate the opportunity to observe the column wheel of the Unico dial side and which will thus be ready to purchase the watch with at a superior price.
The second is that a solid dial is better suited to the decorative work of Hublot and in this context, the HUB4100 is amply sufficient.
The main asset of this King Power is that not only it is easy to recognize at first glance but that even more, it identifies very easily with the champion. This is due to the very particular colour and the unique look of the strap. Taking into account the explosive power developed by Usain Bolt, the King Power 48 mm case was an obvious choice. With its microblasted Black ceramic, it creates with the mat Black dial a homogeneous combo which purpose is to highlight the colourful details that define the character of the watch and also the personality who receives this well deserved tribute.
We can't miss the circular satin-finished flange with 2N gold coating: it symbolizes of course the impressive palmares of Bolt and its multiple gold medals in 100, 200 meters dash or relay races acquired for several years at the Olympic Games or at the track and field World Championships. The minutes and hours counters put together their yellow and green scale marks which recreate with the black background of the dial the colours of the Jamaica flag. Then the permanent second hand at 9 o'clock is decorated by the famous Bolt's silhouette performing his fav gesture. This silhouette in meteor grey remains relatively discrete due to the black dial. The hands are Satin-finished and black nickel-coated with black SuperLuminova. They create a nice combo with the dial and thanks to their shape and size, the legibility is well preserved.
Bolt's silhouette can be found in a much more visible way at the back of the watch on the sapphire which lets us see the HUB4100 and his black rotor. The silhouette blocks a little the view but as the movement is not stunning, it is not a serious trouble.
But the detail that anyone can't miss, which really catches your eyes, which almost dazzles them is the strap that shines like thousand suns. I wonder myself if the watch as a whole is not an unique pretext to proudly wear this strap. In the same way that with the King Power Manchester United which includes blades of grass from the Old Trafford pitch, Hublot managed to bring to the watch a detail intimately linked to Bolt. Black rubber strap is thus covered by the same Gold-coloured synthetic leather that it is used for his shoes. Hublot found the short path in order that the leather leaves the feet to reach the wrists. It is obvious, this strap is the antithesis of discretion, making the watch very showy. And it is not the contrast with the case that will mitigate this impression! But it also has a huge virtue: it allows this limited edition to distinguish itself from the others! Here, there isn't any tiny detail which creates the small change when compared with another limited edition, the King Power Usain Bolt is big fireworks... and this is what finally makes it consistent with the Jamaican champion who, behind all his talent, all the rigour he demonstrated in his training, all the work he provides, is above all a showman if not exuberant what allows him to seduce even more easily the spectators and to attract sponsors.
Finally, I must unfortunately have to confess it: the King Power Usain Bolt does not help you to run faster! Or rather, it is maybe the Hublot secret wish, that Bolt's fans rush to their favorite shops to acquire the 250 pieces of this limited edition. In my case, I will find another opportunity to have a sportive activity!
Thanks a lot to the Chronopassion team for his warm welcome.
