The limited edition Hublot King Power Dwyane Wade watch replica (Ref. 703.CI.1123.VR.DWD11) automatic watch was first revealed back in August; however, the timepiece is still available at some online stores. What is even more interesting is that online the watch is offered at a price, which is higher than the initial MSRP. When I first compared Hublot to a very expensive G-Shock, I received my own share of hate mail from fans and even was politely reproved by Hublot’s PR man.
Well, at a “special price” of $29,000, the price differential with the MSRP of $28,000 is not particularly impressive. What impresses me the most is that there are people who actually buy this monstrosity.
As usual, Hublot’s designers have taken the word “inspiration” a little too literally and presented us with a gadget, which is overflowing with all sorts of references to The Game. Time goes by and most new “special edition” watches from the relatively young Swiss watchmaking brand still make me want to do a double-facepalm, because, as the saying goes, a single facepalm is simply not enough.
If the “basketball” pattern on the dial and the stylized “3” numeral at 3 o’clock (Dwayne’s number at Miami Heat) were not enough, they also provided the black rubber strap with grey stitching that, too, “evokes the basketball net.”
The black and red color scheme probably has something to do with the colors of the Miami Heat basketball team that drafted Dwayne Wade in 2003.
The timekeeper is presented in a familiar 48 mm King Power body. Crafted from black micro-blasted ceramic and featuring a red composite resin element on its bezel and chronograph push-piece, the body of the Hublot King Power copy watch will be fine for a professional basketball player, but a man of normal proportions will probably look ridiculous wearing it.
Photos: Hublot
Hublot King Power Dwyane Wade (Ref. 703.CI.1123.VR.DWD11) automatic chronograph watch specification
Price: $28,800
Movement: Automatic, HUB4100, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 27
Movement frequency: 28,800
Movement decoration: Bridges micro-blasted, bevelled and polished; Screws in black PVD; Oscillating Weight black PVD-coated with tungsten carbide heavy segment; Main Plate rhodium-plated and circular-grained
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Case material: Micro-blasted black ceramic with rubber inserts
Bezel material: Matches case
Crown material: Matches case
Case shape: Tonneau
Bezel shape: Round
Case size: 48.00 mm
Case height: N/A
Lug width: N/A
Dial: Black
Numerals: N/A
Hour markers: Applied, faceted, satin-finished; Red Superluminova
Hands: Satin-finished micro-blasted black nickel with red Superluminova
Water resistance: N/A
Strap: Adjustable black rubber strap with grey and red stitching and King Power folding buckle in black PVD titanium
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective on both sides
Case back: Sapphire
The self-winding caliber is built on 27 jewels, features 42 hours of power reserve and is decorated in Hublot’s signature technocratic style with its bridges micro-blasted and polished, mainplate circular-grained, and the rest of visible parts (including the oscillating weight) black PVD-coated. The whole setup is clearly visible through the display case back, which is covered with a sapphire crystal.
As the other oversized chronographs from the Swiss brand, the mens replica Hublot King Power Dwyane Wade (Ref. 703.CI.1123.VR.DWD11) is powered by the well-known HUB4100 automatic movement.