Hublot, the renowned Swiss luxury watchmaker, continues its partnership with SORAI – Save Our Rhinos Africa and India – a rhino conservation organization founded by former international cricketer and Hublot ambassador Kevin Pietersen. This partnership embodies Hublot’s ‘United for Change’ ethos, recognizing the collective power needed to safeguard our planet for future generations. The rhino population is still critically endangered, impacting the delicate balance of our ecosystems.
To support SORAI’s mission, Hublot has created a breathtaking 30-piece limited-edition of the iconic Spirit of Big Bang, a hand-wound tourbillon watch. This is the fourth Hublot x SORAI watch, with a portion of the proceeds dedicated to the organization’s tireless efforts to protect rhinos. While SORAI and its partners have significantly raised awareness and made strides in rhino conservation, the crisis persists.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) highlights the alarming decline in rhino populations from a half-million in the early 20th century to a mere 27,000 today. Poaching and habitat loss continue to threaten these majestic creatures, with the black, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos classified as critically endangered. However, there is reason for optimism. Conservation programs, including those supported by SORAI, have contributed to a remarkable increase in the Indian rhino population from around 200 to approximately 4,000 in the last century. Black rhinos have also seen their numbers double over the past two decades.
Hublot is proud to support SORAI in empowering conservation agencies to continue this positive progress. SORAI, founded in 2018 by Kevin Pietersen, is a socially conscious organization dedicated to uniting communities, businesses, and individuals to ensure the survival and prosperity of keystone species in Africa and India. One of SORAI’s key beneficiaries is Care for Wild in South Africa, a grassroots organization that provides refuge and care for endangered species, particularly rhinos.
The demand for rhino horns, falsely believed to possess medicinal or spiritual properties in some cultures, fuels the devastating practice of poaching. This intricate issue is exacerbated by poverty and international criminal networks. SORAI, with its focus on pioneering anti-poaching education and enforcement programs, takes a long-term approach to address this complex challenge.
The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang SORAI, the fourth watch designed in collaboration with SORAI, is a testament to their unwavering commitment. This unique Spirit of Big Bang features a 42mm case crafted in Hublot’s signature ‘warm grey’ ceramic, mirroring the distinctive color of a rhino’s skin. The watch is presented on a grey fabric strap with an additional black rubber strap adorned with a striking grey and beige camouflage pattern.
At its heart beats the HUB6020 Manufacture caliber, a hand-wound, skeletonized tourbillon boasting a five-day power reserve. This intricate movement allows for an asymmetrical display, showcasing the time at 3 o’clock and the power reserve indicator between 8 and 9 o’clock, elegantly balanced between two sapphire crystals. With a limited production of 30 pieces, the Spirit of Big Bang SORAI embodies Hublot’s ambition to ignite critical conversations around rhino conservation and environmental issues, inspiring a new generation of conservationists. Through their ‘United for Change’ approach and collective action, Hublot and SORAI believe that together, we can create a brighter future for our planet and its inhabitants.
