170 GQ.COM.AU SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017
PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES.GQ: Why is Hublot such
a good fit for you?
Michael Clarke: There’s
a lot of similarities with
everything I try to do
with my cricket - it’s
no different now to my
business. You want to be
as good as you possibly
can. You get out of bed
every day to try to become
better. The same applies
with Hublot - they want
to be the first to achieve
things. They are unique
already. In their style and
the quality of their watch
or their brand. And I think
they are very different to
everything else you see in
the market and, like me,
they like the challenges
of chasing success.
GQ: And what does that
mean for cricket?
MC: It shows cricket’s in
a wonderful place. We’re
talking about a brand that
is associated with some of
the best sporting teams
and associations in the
world. You think about
Ferrari. You think about
FIFA World Cup. You knowthey’ve got Pele? Usain
Bolt? These guys are the
best in the business. I think
it’s extremely exciting that
Hublot see cricket in that
same light. It’s also a
compliment to where the
game’s at now. Hublot
would not be associating
themselves with a sport
that they felt wasn't
continuing to grow.
I remember the 2015
World Cup looking up at
the scoreboard and seeing
that big Hublot sign and
that clock and I just think
it’s a real compliment to
the game of cricket.
GQ: Tell us about your
relationship with watches.
MC: I wear my ‘Big Bang
Unico Black Magic’ the
most. Guys only really have
watches and cars as show
pieces, and that’s why
so many men love their
watches – it’s our show
piece, it’s our style. And
what I like especially about
Hublot is the variety.
GQ: It’s great that Hublot’s
partnership has extended
to the women’s game too.MC: Yeah, I think it’s
a no-brainer and I think
Hublot see it like that as
well. Credit to them, I think
it’s exactly where sport in
general needs to be. I can't
wait till it gets to a stage
where we don’t separate
women’s cricket, men’s
cricket. We say cricket
and we mean both. That's
exactly what Hublot are
doing here. They’re saying
it’s no different to us. We’re
sponsoring the ICC cricket
full stop and I think that’s
exactly where we want our
game to be.
GQ: Lastly, a word on
what’s been happening
with Cricket Australia
this year?
MC: Yeah, look it’s
not good for the game.
I said openly that
I’d like to see these
conversations happen
in private. There needs
to be compromise
from both parties but
until they can get
there I don’t want to
see cricket lose out...
I don’t want to see
the Australian players
not focus on their
preparation and
training. Hopefully,
everything sorts
itself out.
HUBLOT.COMT
hough the Ashes build-up may not
be going to plan, globally, cricket is be going to plan, globally, cricket is
in great shape. Luxury watch brand in great shape. Luxury watch brand
Hublot certainly agrees, extending
its partnership with the International
Cricket Council (ICC) as official
timekeeper to include the Champions Trophy as well
as the Women’s World Cup. We caught up with Hublot
ambassador and cricket legend, Michael Clarke, to talk
about why the partnership spells good news for both.“ THIS ICONIC SPORT
WILL ROUND OFF OUR
MARKETING PRESENCE.
WORKING WITH
AMBASSADORS LIKE
MICHAEL CLARKE, I AM
DELIGHTED HUBLOT IS THE
ICC OFFICIAL TIMEKEEPER.”
HUBLOT
CRICKET
SPORTLOVES
CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE
Titanium ‘Classic Fusion
Aerofusion Chronograph’,
$19,400, by Hublot; Hublot CEO,
Ricardo Guadalupe; Hublot
ambassador Michael Clarke.RICARDO GUADALUPE, CEO HUBLOTWATCH