ReviewHublot x Argentine Football Association: When Watchmaking Meets World Cup Glory
With their new AFA editions, Hublot have created a horological love letter to Argentine football
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When a watch brand partners with a sports team, the results can often be predictable—slap on a logo, change a few colours, and call it a day. Hublot’s latest collaboration with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) could have easily fallen into this trap. Instead, they’ve delivered a trio of timepieces that offer a surprisingly nuanced take on horological fandom.
The Timing
Let’s address the elephant in the room—yes, these watches are riding the wave of Argentina’s 2022 World Cup victory. But Hublot’s partnership with AFA predates that win by a few months.
It’s worth noting that Hublot’s relationship with football isn’t new. The brand have been deeply involved with the sport since 2006, serving as the official timekeeper for FIFA World Cups and partnering with various clubs and associations. This long-standing connection lends credibility to their latest venture with AFA, suggesting a genuine appreciation for the sport rather than a mere opportunistic marketing. We see this collaboration as a commitment that happened to coincide with a historic moment.
The Lineup
Hublot have introduced three models: two Big Bang Unicos and a Classic Fusion. Let’s dive into the details.
Big Bang Unico Titanium AFA
The Big Bang Unico Titanium AFA leads the charge, with a 42mm titanium case that’s both lightweight and robust. Limited to just 25 pieces, it’s a rare bird. The sky blue ceramic bezel is an immediate eye-catcher, instantly evoking the colours of La Albiceleste’s home kit.
At its core is Hublot’s HUB1280 movement, a modern chronograph calibre featuring a column wheel and flyback function. It’s a serious piece of horology that adds technical credibility to this commemorative piece. The movement operates at 28,800vph and boasts a 72-hour power reserve, visible through the skeletonised dial.
The watch features white sub-dials at three and nine o’clock, with the small seconds at nine housing a laser-engraved World Cup trophy. It’s a neat touch that ties the watch to Argentina’s recent triumph without being ostentatious.
Big Bang Unico King Gold AFA
The King Gold version shares the same 42mm dimensions but ups the ante with a case crafted from Hublot’s proprietary King Gold alloy. With only 10 pieces available worldwide, it’s destined to be as elusive as a last-minute winning goal.
It houses the same HUB1280 movement, but the King Gold case and hands give it a more luxurious appearance. The contrast between the warm gold tones and the sky blue ceramic bezel is particularly striking in person.
Classic Fusion Chronograph Titanium AFA
Rounding out the trio is the Classic Fusion Chronograph Titanium AFA. At 45mm, it’s the largest of the bunch, but its sleeker profile gives it a more understated presence on the wrist. The titanium case is accented with King Gold elements, adding a touch of luxury to the sportier design. Limited to 140 pieces, it’s the most accessible of the three, relatively speaking.
Inside beats the HUB1143 movement, a robust and reliable chronograph calibre that’s become a staple in Hublot’s lineup. It offers a 42-hour power reserve and operates at 28,800vph, like its more complex HUB1280 sibling.
What’s particularly clever about the Classic Fusion is its use of navy blue for the dial and ceramic bezel. This isn’t just an arbitrary colour choice—it’s a nod to Argentina’s away kit. By offering watches in both home and away colours, Hublot have created a collection that represents the full identity of the team, showing a deeper engagement with AFA’s heritage than we typically see in sports collaborations.
All three models feature Hublot’s quick-change strap system, allowing easy swapping between the colour-matched rubber strap and a white alternative. Water resistance varies from 50m in the Classic Fusion to 100m in the Big Bang models.
Read more about Hublot’s other soccer-centric creations here
Final Thoughts
What Hublot have done here is create a set of watches that work on multiple levels. For the casual fan, they’re immediately recognisable as Argentina-themed. For the watch enthusiast, there’s legitimate horological interest in the movements and construction. And for those who appreciate the intersection of sports and culture, these pieces offer a thoughtful representation of a team’s identity.
Are these watches for everyone? Certainly not. The limited numbers (especially the 10-piece King Gold edition) ensure exclusivity, and the styling is unmistakably Hublot—love it or hate it. But what’s impressive here is how Hublot have managed to create sports-themed watches that don’t feel like an afterthought.
The Hublot AFA Trios In A Nutshell
Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium AFA
- Case: 42mm x 14.5mm, satin-finished and polished titanium
- Bezel: Sky blue ceramic
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Satin-finished titanium
- Water resistance: 100m
- Dial: Matt white with white counters
- Functions: Chronograph
- Movement: HUB1280 Unico Manufacture self-winding chronograph; 72-hour power reserve
- Strap: White and sky blue structured lined rubber, additional white strap included
Hublot Big Bang Unico King Gold AFA
- Case: 42mm x 14.5mm, satin-finished and polished 18-karat King Gold
- Bezel: Sky blue ceramic
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Satin-finished 18-karat King Gold
- Water resistance: 100m
- Dial: Matt white with white counters
- Functions: Chronograph
- Movement: HUB1280 Unico Manufacture self-winding chronograph; 72-hour power reserve
- Strap: White and sky blue structured lined rubber, additional white strap included
Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Titanium AFA
- Case: 45mm x 13.05mm, satin-finished and polished titanium with King Gold pushers, crown, and screws
- Bezel: Blue ceramic
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Caseback: Satin-finished titanium
- Water resistance: 50m
- Dial: Sunray blue plated with silver counters
- Functions: Chronograph
- Movement: HUB1143 self-winding chronograph; 42-hour power reserve
- Strap: Blue lined rubber
