As action begins at the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament in Brazil, a number of watchmakers have placed their dials onto the Cup’s global stage in special edition timepieces. Models range from specialty pieces made for brand ambassadors to pitch-ready timers, many of which are clad in Brazilian green, yellow and blue. Here are six we’ve culled from the field for you to enjoy as you cheer your favorite team.
Hublot
Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono
Proudly displaying the colors of Brazil, this Official Watch of the FIFA World Cup is a first for Hublot, which has never before produced a bi-retrograde function with a central chrono. (The new movement has a patent pending.) When the chronograph is started, the chronograph second hand and minute hand move from left to right in a circular arc of 45 minutes (one half of a football match) with an area for 15 minutes’ added time up to 60 minutes. There are two push-buttons on either side of the crown for start, stop and reset; the push-button at 2 o’clock is also used to show the period of time selected from the following 4 options: 1st half, half time, 2nd half and end of match, indicated by a window in the center at 12 o’clock. The watch has already earned the name Soccer Bang and is available in two versions: a King Gold version with carbon fiber bezel limited to 100 pieces and a black ceramic version, also with a carbon fiber bezel and limited to 200 numbered pieces.
Carl F. Bucherer
Patravi ScubaTec SFV Special Edition
This special edition of the new Carl F. Bucherer dive model is the Lucern-based watch company’s expression of its love of sport and loyalty to the Swiss national team. It was developed especially for the Swiss soccer team as it is colored in a combination of black and red with a dial of engravings of various footballers. On the back is an engraved soccer ball. The rubber strap and eye-catching stainless-steel bezel with black and red ceramic inserts frame the logo of the Swiss Football Association – the SFV. Technically, the watch retains the ScubaTec’s dive credentials with its helium valve and black dial that is protected by a sapphire crystal almost 4 mm thick. Inside, the CFB 1950.1 automatic movement has been integrated into a 44.6mm stainless and tested to C.O.S.C. chronometer specs. As part of a drive to strengthen and motivate the entire national team, each Swiss player will be presented with his own personal Patravi ScubaTec SFV Special Edition.
JeanRichard
Aeroscope Arsenal FC Limited Edition
As a global partner as well as official watch of Arsenal, JeanRichard earlier this year launched two specially designed Arsenal pieces: a unique version of the 44mm Terrascope watch with the Arsenal logo, a cannon, printed at 6 o’clock. Housed in a steel case, this watch is equipped with a “vertically satin-finished” grey dial illuminated by touches of red – the color of the club’s famous emblem. The second watch created for the Gunners is a red-dialed limited edition of the Aeroscope Chronograph with a small seconds hand at 3 o’clock, which is molded in the shape of the club’s iconic cannon. This special edition is numbered and consisting of just 250 pieces worldwide.
Bulgari
World Cup Octo
This new Bulgari Octo Bi-Retro Brazil watch appears in a fifty-piece limited edition clad in green, yellow and blue. The colors pay tribute to Brazil. The green is the traditional color of the House of Braganza (the former Brazilian royal family) and symbolizes hope and nature. The yellow is synonymous with the many riches of the country and the blue represents the sky over Rio de Janeiro. These colors are lacquered on the dial, executed according to the “champlevé” technique. The 43mm steel case with ceramic bezel features a crown set with a ceramic cabochon and clear sapphire caseback. The hands are faceted and rhodium-plated. Inside is automatic manufacture Caliber GG 7722 with a jumping hour at 12, a bi-retrograde display for minutes and date at 6 o’clock.
Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Leo Messi Limited Edition
This limited series of 1,000 pieces (in steel/tantalum, pink gold/tantalum and platinum/tantalum), the Limited Edition Leo Messi Royal Oak, honoring the Argentinian star and Audemars Piguet ambassador, measures 41mm diameter and offers an alligator strap and an additional sportier rubber strap, which here replace the traditional steel bracelet. Instead of the Royal Oak tapisserie dial, Audemars Piguet created a vertically brushed anthracite dial with hour markers in white gold for the steel version and pink gold for the pink gold version, while the platinum version sports a deep blue dial with white gold hour markers. On all models the three auxiliary chronograph counters and the small seconds counter are encircled by a finely brushed silvered ring. The Leo Messi Royal Oak is offered in a limited series of 1000 pieces: 500 in steel/tantalum, 400 in pink gold/tantalum and 100 in platinum/tantalum. Each watch is delivered in an original case in the shape of a lacquered shoebox decorated on the inside with the player’s dedication.
Parmigiani Fleurier
Pershing CBF
As the official watch sponsor of the CBF Confederação Brasileira de Futebol, Parmigiani Fleurier has created a unique collection of Parmigiani Pershing models as tribute to the hundredth anniversary of the CBF. The watch is engraved with the iconic emblem of the CBF on the case-back and is clad in the official colors of the Brazilian Football Confederation: gold, blue, and green. The two-tone Pershing chronograph, in steel and rose gold, features the symbolic intense shade of blue on its dial, decorated with a “Côtes de Genève” guilloche pattern. The small seconds indexes are replace by green stars that represent the Brazilian flag, and the five stars on the CBF crest. Green numerals and yellow hands enhance the hour and minute chronograph counters.