History is made! For the first time, three women, the Iron Dames, took turns behind the wheel of a Ferrari 488 GTE to vie for a top spot alongside 61 other cars in France’s most famous endurance race: the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This is a rare occurrence in the world of motor racing, and one that the brand is supporting through its partnership with Kessel Racing. To mark the occasion, the team’s drivers wore the Hublot Big Bang Unico 42 mm White unisex calibre HUB1280. Also partnering Ferrari, Hublot saw its colours sported by four cars in total as they graced the starting grids of the famous Le Mans track this weekend.
Since its first edition in 1923, only 21 teams out of 4237 have been all-female, totalling just 0.5% of participants. Not enough is done to showcase female drivers. Despite this, they continue to push boundaries, both mechanical and physical, ensuring every last tenth of a second counts. Daring, passion, precision… these values drive both them and us.
If Hublot can help to shine the spotlight on them… then why not aim for the highest accolade, the podium? – Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of HUBLOT
Only the 22nd all female team ever, the Iron Dames were led by Deborah Mayer, with co-drivers Manuela Gostner (Italy), Rahel Frey (Switzerland) and Michelle Gatting (Denmark). These incredible women had already raced together, at the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi last December, where they finished sixth in the overall classification, and second in their category!
Through its partnership with Kessel Racing, the manufacture also supported Iron Lynx, a team that included Claudio Schiavoni, Sergio Pianezzola, and Andrea Piccini. In timeless white, the symbol of unity and harmony, the Big Bang Unico 42 White worn by these women is a stark contrast to the powerful Ferrari red of the Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Red Ceramic that the men’s team wore. A 45 mm carbon case houses the UNICO HUB1241 manufacture movement.
The helmets, suits and cars of the four sponsored teams featured full Hublot branding.
Hublot passes on its congratulations to the drivers of Ferrari #51 (Pier Guidi, Calado and Serra) and AF Corse for their victory in the LMGTE PRO category at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
HUBLOT
Founded in Switzerland in 1980, HUBLOT is defined by its innovative concept, which began with the highly original combination of gold and rubber. This “Art of Fusion” stems from the imagination of its visionary Chairman, Jean-Claude Biver, and has been driven forward by CEO Ricardo Guadalupe since 2012.
The release of the iconic, multi-award-winning Big Bang in 2005 paved the way for new flagship collections (Classic Fusion, Spirit of Big Bang), with complications ranging from the simple to the highly sophisticated, establishing the extraordinary DNA of the Swiss watchmaking house and ensuring its impressive growth.
Keen to preserve its traditional and cutting-edge expertise, and guided by its philosophy to “Be First, Different and Unique”, the Swiss watchmaker is consistently ahead of the curve, through its innovations in materials (scratch-resistant Magic Gold, ceramics in vibrant colours, sapphire), and the creation of Manufacture movements (Unico, Meca-10, Tourbillon).
HUBLOT is fully committed to creating a Haute Horlogerie brand with a visionary future: a future which is fused with the key events and brands of our times (FIFA World CupTM, UEFA Champions LeagueTM, UEFA EUROTM and Ferrari) and the finest ambassadors our era has to offer (Kylian Mbappé, Usain Bolt, Pelé).
Discover the HUBLOT universe at our network of boutiques located in key cities across the globe: Geneva, Paris, London, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore, and at HUBLOT.com
KESSEL RACING
Born to drive, Loris Kessel’s passion is still at the heart of the group’s activities. The soul of the Swiss driver lives on in our racing division, Kessel Racing. Kessel Racing has participated in Ferrari GT and Ferrari Challenge races since its inception. In addition to its involvement in motor racing competitions, the Kessel Group also has a classic car division and a dealership selling four different makes (Ferrari, Maserati, Bentley, Pagani).
IRON DAMES
Iron Dames is a project headed by Deborah Mayer and officially backed by the FIA WIMC (Women in Motorsport Commission). The Iron Dames brand was specially conceived to combine passion, femininity and innovation. Fans can follow the fortunes of the Iron Dames on social media: Instagram (@iron.dames), Facebook (Iron Dames).
IRON LYNX
Iron Lynx introduces itself on the international motoring scene. Based in Cesena (Italy), it offers the broadest range of services focused on the driver and the automotive product: Racing and Driving Academy, Exclusive Events and Incentive Agency, Gentleman Drivers Club, a garage for storage, maintenance and management of top-level cars, Testing & Support for automotive product development.
Thanks to an obsessive attention to detail and in-depth knowledge of this extraordinary sector, it is able to guide promising young and gentlemen drivers towards optimal performance; specialised support for motorsport professionals; specific advice for automotive players; services tailored to specific needs.
Hublot Big Bang Unico White Ceramic Technical Specifications
REFERENCE 441.HX.1170.RX
CASE
- White microblasted and polished ceramic
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Thickness: 14.50 mm
- Water resistance: 10 ATM (100 m)
CASE BACK
- White microblasted ceramic
BEZEL
- White microblasted and polished ceramic
- 6 H-shaped titanium screws
DIAL & HANDS
- Matt black skeleton
MOVEMENT
- UNICO HUB1280: Self-winding flyback chronograph manufacture movement with column wheel on the dial side
- Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vib/h)
- Power reserve: 72 Hours
- No. of components: 354
- Jewels: 43
STRAP & BUCKLE
- Black and white lined and structured rubber strap
- White ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle
PRICE
- 17,900 CHF
- 18,600 EUR
- 18,800 USD
- 15,600 GBP
Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Red Ceramic Technical Specification
REFERENCE 402.QF.0110.WR Limited edition of 500 pieces
CASE
- Unidirectional carbon fibre
- Diameter: 45 mm
- Thickness: 16.70 mm
- Water resistance: 10 ATM (100 m)
CASE BACK
- Black-plated titanium and sapphire crystal
BEZEL
- Polished red ceramic
- 6 H-shaped black-plated titanium screws
DIAL & HANDS
- Sapphire crystal
MOVEMENT
- UNICO HUB1241: Self-winding flyback chronograph proprietary movement with column wheel on the dial side
- Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vib/h)
- Power reserve: 72 Hours
- No. of components: 330
- Jewels: 38
STRAP & BUCKLE
- Black rubber and alcantara straps
- Additional black rubber and Schedoni leather straps with embossed decor included
- Black ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle
PRICE
- 27,900 CHF
- 29,000 EUR
- 29,400 USD
- 24,300 GBP
For more information, please visit the Hublot Watches Website.