Depeche Mode Partner with Swiss Watchmakers Hublot for a Cause

Depeche Mode plays a private concert for Hublot at watch and jewelry convention Baselworld. Photo: Courtesy of Hublot

British electronic music veterans Depeche Mode have a French name that roughly translates to “fashion news” or “fashion dispatch,” so it should come as no surprise that the band have brought their sartorial sensibilities into the fashion world with the launch of their new watch.

The band partnered with Swiss luxury watchmakers Hublot to create the limited-edition “watch for water,” whose proceeds will raise money for charity: water, a non-profit organization which aims to bring safe drinking water to the developing world.

Depeche Mode was founded in 1980 and have been vastly influential across the electronic, metal and alt rock genres since; the band have sold over 100 million records and were named in Vh1’s “100 Greatest Artists of All Time” list. This isn’t their first foray into horology–they’ve been in a partnership with Hublot since 2010 and collaborated with the watch brand on three other occasions to support charity: water.

Depeche Mode’s watch with Hublot is just as rock&roll as they are. Photo: Courtesy of Hublot

“I have been an enthusiastic supporter of charity: water and I am delighted that with Hublot we can continue to support their mission of providing clean and safe drinking water for all,” said Martin Gore, the band’s founding member, in a statement.

Depeche Mode, true to their name, have eschewed the classic image of electronic musicians as nerdy introverts making computer music in their basements, instead fashioning themselves in the rock star mould. Their new watch, fittingly, is just as rock&roll as they are, featuring a jet black face with intricate pyramid engravings and a detachable studded cuff. The watch will be available for purchase beginning in May.

The watch launch coincides with the start of Depeche Mode’s Global Spirit tour, which is set to kick off on May 5th in Stockholm, Sweden and will hit cities across Europe, North America and Latin America. The band will be touring to promote the release of their new album, Spirit, which was released on March 17th.