kobe byant

Nubeo + Kobe Bryant = Black Mamba Luxury Watch

It is common for a watch brand to partner with a sports celebrity to design or brand a watch model, but doing so with a basketball star is quite rare, unprecedented even in terms of this much involvement. Why that is, is unclear, as watch companies seem to prefer the likes of tennis and golf stars. Leave it to Nubeo, a relatively new luxury brand started in 2004 and headed by Spain born Ivan Castro to decide Kobe Bryant was a good sports celebrity to partner with and cultivate new marketing and partnership opportunities. The relationship is more than just having Bryant be a brand ambassador which is common. Bryant has commented that he has actively been involved in the style and design of the watch - even the title "Black Mamba" is taken from his court nickname.

Nubeo boasts that it has created the world's most complex watch case (given all the parts), with overall designs of the watches being influenced by Jellyfish and the ocean environment. The Black Mamba is certainly more oceanic in theme than reptilian (as the black mamba is a snake), though the look is certainly futuristic and forward thinking with its organic curves. At least three limited edition Nubeo Black Mamba watches will be made available – each with different amounts of decoration. The most limited in number will be the pictured Black Mamba MVP, which has rings of baguette cut sapphire crystals which have a "Whiskey" color. The 48mm wide case is made from black titanium (with some DLC coating) and ceramic - while black sapphires frame two of the chronograph subsidiary dials on the face. Inside is an automatic mechanical movement of undisclosed origin. The pictured model will go for about $285,000, less for the models without as many sapphires. It is true that the economic status quo does not make it an ideal time for a new luxury watch release, but with limited numbers and niche market appeal, Nubeo (and Bryant) are confident in the Black Mamba's market success.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Gallery: Kobe Bryant