Hublot and www.trimezone are auctioning a specially created version of Hublot’s popular new Big Bang wristwatch on eBay to raise money to assist the Gulf Coast survivors and victims of Hurricane Katrina Relief. It was created under the direction of Jean-Claude Biver, CEO and managing director of Hublot S.A. in Nyon, Switzerland.

As of Thursday, bidding was up to $18,000. The eBay auction started at 10 p.m., EDT Sept. 8 and ends at the same time on Monday. The watch’s normal list price is $9,500; the auction started at US$7,000. To see the watch, its details, or to bid, go to http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5031944768

This is a joint venture of Biver’s team at Hublot S.A., Hublot USA and www.timezone.com.

“We can’t sit here quietly, while people have lost everything because of the hurricane Katrina,” said Biver. “It’s our duty as human beings to support them, and I can only hope many people will do so around the world.

“None of us will make any money or profit on the sale of this watch,” he added. “One hundred percent of the proceeds of this auction will immediately be donated to The American Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.” Payment by the top bidder must be made within three days of the auction’s end, in order to get the money into the hands of the Red Cross immediately. Payment must be by Wire Transfer Only. No other method of payment will be accepted.

The regular Big Bang has a carbon fiber dial and ceramic (zirconium oxide) bezel and black rubber strap. This special watch features red Kevlar lateral inserts and a red natural rubber strap. It comes with a letter from Biver stating that no other Big Bang like this will ever be produced. It also has a 10-year warranty from date of purchase. (Any mechanical repairs, cleanings, polishing, and even new straps will be free for 10 years.)

JCK