Hublot has committed to providing its support for the Ayrton Senna Institute by creating an exceptional collaborative limited edition Big Bang. The Swiss watchmaker is to present its exclusive timepiece carrying the deceased champion's signature at the Sao Paulo Formula 1 Grand Prix.

What more appropriate occasion could there be than the Sao Paulo F1 Grand Prix for unveiling Hublot's very latest Big Bang, produced in a limited edition in association with the name of Ayrton Senna. On 18st October, the Swiss watchmaker will be presenting to the public the splendid Chronograph Split-Second with Power Reserve indicator, cloaked in black and adorned with Ayrton Senna's signature in red and the Brazilian flag in green and yellow. A timekeeper that's already a legend in the making.

The Ayrton Senna Institute
A non-profit-making organisation founded and run by Viviane Senna, the sister of the racing driver, the Ayrton Senna Institute has been active for thirteen years in Brazil. It was created in tribute to the values and ideals of Senna, who dreamt of bringing dignity and equality to his native country, of which he was very proud. The main aim of the Institute is to offer young Brazilians the chance to build on their skills. It has therefore developed, tested and evaluated education systems specially adapted to children not only to improve their schooling, but also their social development. Eight million children and youngsters in 25 provinces of Brazil have already benefited from these programmes.

Association with Hublot
Hublot has always been an ardent supporter of the cause of disadvantaged children through its own Hand-in-Hand Foundation. Hublot thus occasionally takes part in Charity events organised by other Foundations to come to their aid, or to fight the injustice meted out to them. The Geneva brand's commitment to supporting Viviane Senna bears witness to their common values. Ayrton Senna bequeathed a message of hope to those youngsters, through his sense of humanity, motivation, determination and demand for perfection. According to Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot: "The supreme luxury is to be able to share. To share our emotions, our joy, our love... We are proud today to be able to share our success with the Institute and thus contribute to the aid given to all these children".

The Ayrton Senna Big Bang
The famous Big Bang All Black is the model that provided the inspiration for Hublot and the Ayrton Senna Institute and their creation bearing the driver's name. This sophisticated black watch is composed of similar materials to those used in the automotive industry, and executed with attention down to the last detail in the search for the ultimate performance. State-of-the-art technology, painstaking care, the quest for avant-garde design and the perfect finish are all common factors that lead to success. The distinguishing features of the Ayrton Senna watch, aside from the champion's signature splashed across the dial in red, are the Chronograph Split- Second hand and the Power Reserve Indicator. The Split-Second hand can be used to record an intermediate time by means of the two chronograph seconds hands.

When recording a time, the first so-called "Split-Second" hand is stopped while the second continues to move. This mechanism makes it possible to observe the lapsed period. Then, by pressing the push-piece a second time, the hand is made to catch up with and remain superposed on the seconds hand. The function can be used to calculate the intermediate time of one runner, or the times of two runners. Personalised touches to this exceptional timepiece include the Split-Second hand cloaked in green and yellow, the colours of Brazil, and the push-piece in red to coordinate with the signature of Ayrton Senna displayed on the dial.

New market
The Ayrton Senna Big Bang is the first Hublot to go on sale in Brazil. The Brazilian market is a new one for the brand, and the exclusivity of the first 50 pieces is reserved for distribution in Sao Paulo, the country's economic capital. Rio de Janeiro, Porto Alegre and Brasilia will subsequently cater to Big Bang demand among the Brazilian clientele. The new market undoubtedly already includes many enthusiasts and (knowing) connoisseurs of the Big Bang's contemporary, sophisticated and distinctive design, as well as the refined quality of its manufacture in accordance with watchmaking tradition.

Hublot TV
Hublot has its own television channel, which broadcasts its programmes on the net. All the brand's events are given daily coverage, which can be followed live on the web site at www.hublottv.com. Be sure to see this event at Sao Paulo on 20th October and join Hublot behind the scenes of F1!

Press release