Lakers player Kobe Bryant receives a gift from Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe in Beijing on October 13, 2013. (Hublot)
Los Angeles Lakers player Kobe Bryant is in China for several exhibition games right now, but took the time Sunday night to make an appearance at a special VIP dinner hosted by Swiss watchmaker Hublot for 60 of its luckiest VIP clients.
Held at Beijing’s Aman Summer Palace Luxury Resort, the dinner offered the guests the chance to get up close and personal with the basketball star, who is wildly popular in China. In addition, the customer who had purchased Hublot’s first King Power Black Mamba delivered to China had the opportunity to personally receive the watch from Kobe himself.
The event was a smart move for Hublot, as it combined Chinese customers' appreciation for VIP treatment with their ardent love for basketball. See more photos below:
Kobe Bryant presents Hublot's Black Mamba model to the first China buyer with Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe in Beijing on October 13, 2013. (Hublot)
VIP guests admire watches on display over cocktails. (Hublot)
The cocktail area featured a black snake decoration. The snake references related to the "Black Mamba" watch model are especially auspicious in China, which is celebrating the year of the snake. (Hublot)
The dining area. (Hublot)