Swiss luxury watch brand Hublot and hip hop legend Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter have joined forces in a first-of-its-kind collaboration resulting in two unique timepieces.
The two watches were unveiled last night before Jay Z’s ‘Magna Carta Tour’ date at Zürich’s Hallenstadion and are part of the Shawn Carter Collection, launching at Barneys New York on November 20.
Part of the artist’s holiday collaboration with Barneys’ – ‘A New York Holiday’ – the limited edition collection will be available exclusively at Barneys New York and at select Hublot stores around the world from November 20, 2013.
Mr Carter commented: “With this project, Barneys New York, the participating labels and I were able to take the sleekness, energy, and innovation and translate that into quality timeless pieces.
“Everything that encompasses a ‘New York holiday’ – the items chosen and the amazing designers that participated – represents a perfect example of a unique and groundbreaking collaboration that I hope demonstrates how inspiring New York has been to me.”
Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, added: “After having been the first luxury watch brand to enter the world of soccer as Timekeeper of the World Cup in 2010, the first to enter basketball with the partnership with Miami Heat and the LA Lakers, the first luxury watch brand to have partnered with Ferrari, we are now the first luxury watch brand to become a partner of one of the icons of music.
“Together with Jay Z, we believe that we have always been the first, different and unique.”
The Shawn Carter by Hublot 45mm timepieces are both on black alligator straps, with a yellow 18K gold timepiece and a black ceramic version.
The starburst-like emblem is the official logo of the artist’s newly launched collection which includes three additional luxury pieces: a travel humidor, cognac and fragrance.
Carter’s has elevated his collaboration with the luxury watch brand by allowing it to continue beyond ‘A New York Holiday’, set to run from November 20 through January 3.
Twenty five percent of all sales from the Barneys project will go towards the Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation, which awards post-secondary scholarships to students facing socio-economic hardships.