Picture this: a perfect 85-degree Miami night. Walking up to the venue on South Beach, the entrance was lined with Maseratis, Bugattis, and Bentleys, flanked by a fleet of black trucks. The marble structure set the tone before I even stepped inside. Descending into the plush, dimly lit space, the atmosphere hit immediately. Everyone dressed in their finest, champagne flowing, handcrafted Swiss timepieces glinting under low lights. This wasn't a typical industry gathering, it felt like an exclusive concert or private gala, high-energy and effortlessly luxurious.
Luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot took over the legendary Basement at The Miami Beach EDITION to close out Miami Art Week and celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the iconic Big Bang. The evening proved these watches aren't just timepieces, they're a lifestyle, a status symbol, an accessory that elevates any look.
The energy shifted when the night's headliner took the stage. 50 Cent is one of those artists who always delivers, and he didn't disappoint. He performed wearing a bespoke, one-of-one Hublot timepiece created specifically for him, featuring unique colors honoring his character in the upcoming Street Fighter film, a gold chess piece topping the dial (a nod to his Le Chemin du Roi champagne), and "50 Cent" engraved on the caseback. The ultimate flex: art and horology combined.
What stood out most was how Hublot captured a very specific vibe, blending raw, urban edge with sleek, sophisticated polish. The brand isn't afraid to take risks, mastering the ability to fuse two different audiences and create an entirely new lane. The result is watches with beautiful, vibrant colors that never lose their timeless, finely crafted feel. Hublot is one of the few brands that can accomplish this mix so seamlessly.
This philosophy was on full display with the unveiling of the Big Bang Street Art Collection. Available in four striking colorways and powered by the in-house Meca-10 movement, the watches feature cases made of composite concrete with "cracks" filled with UV-reactive luminescence, the perfect physical representation of the brand's DNA: bold and artistic, yet engineered to perfection.
Notable attendees including Khalid, Marco Donatelli, Pepe Garcia, Leon Bridges, Diplo, Swae Lee, Ty Dolla $ign, and Sofi Tukker moved through the crowd, proving Hublot's audience is as diverse as it is influential.
It was a refined escape from the usual hustle of the Wynwood Art Basel circuit. Hublot successfully transported that vibrant audience to the elegance of Miami Beach, merging two distinct worlds into one seamless experience. As the night wound down with MEDUZA on the decks, one thing was clear: Hublot continues to redefine what luxury watchmaking can be—unapologetically bold, impeccably crafted, and always unexpected.
Photographs by Bolanle Adebomi @signedlanle @lanlespov
