Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

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craniotes
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Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by craniotes » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:00 pm

Even though I'm not a particular fan of Hublot, I do have some good friends at the boutique as well as in their PR agency, so I was able to snag an invite to a lunch at the Grand Havana Room this afternoon in honor of Hublot's new collaboration piece with Arturo Fuente cigars.

First off, it should be known that I'm a cigar-smoker of opportunity -- i.e. if someone gives me one, I'll smoke it -- otherwise, the hobby is somewhat lost on me. That said, it seems that quite a few die-hard watch collectors are also die-hard cigar smokers, so I guess I can see where the association comes from. Whatever. I gave up cigarettes six years ago, and to be honest, I'm over the whole light something on fire and suck on it thing. Unless it's weed, that is. Still, a good cigar is a good cigar, and apparently Fuente makes some nice smokes.

Anyway, for those who don't know, the Grand Havana Room is a private club for cigar smokers that operates in New York City, Beverly Hills and Moscow and invite-only, so this was a great opportunity to peel back the veil and see how the other half lives while simultaneously getting fed and watered.

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The club itself is on the 39th floor of a hi-rise overlooking 5th Avenue and is decorated almost exactly as you would expect (think lots of overstuffed leather chairs and sofas). It's hushed and smells like expensive tobacco, and the staff is always ready with a cigar or a light. For the event, we had a private dining room where we were treated to a three course lunch followed by an interview with Carlos Fuente, Jr. the president of the company that bears his family's name. That special guest I alluded to earlier? Paula Zahn, who apparently is a bit of a cigar and watch aficionado. Weird.

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(a bit heavy for lunch on a Monday, but I'll take it)

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(Paula doing her thing)

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(Senor Fuente)

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(the watch(es) of the hour)

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(a couple of the guests doing their thing at our table)

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(some dilweed from Fox News -- maybe our gun-totin' members recognize him, 'cuz my libtard ass sure doesn't)

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(Bita's Tutti-Frutti -- she's one of the boutique managers and an all-around great gal)

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(my friend Howard's cousin's gold/ceramic King Power)

My takeaway? I'm still not a Hublot fan, but I do have a greater appreciation for cigars, and in particular, Arturo Fuentes. Most of the interview centered around the Fuente's organizations' philanthropic efforts, and it was pretty clear that Carlos, Jr. was thoroughly invested in giving back to a community that gave so much to his family. I had an opportunity to speak with him after the lunch was over, and it only served to reinforce my respect for the man.

Now I have to and buy some cigars. Right after I smoke this one, that is:
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:fro:

Regards,
Adam

PS - In case anyone was wondering how Luke (aka snoballz) is doing, he's just fine. Yeah, he was there too. :raised:
Last edited by craniotes on Mon Dec 10, 2012 2:33 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by justsellbrgs » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:07 pm

no urinal shots with PZ?
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by belligero » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:11 pm

Not bad for a Monday lunch! Which watch did you end up wearing today?
:thumbsup:

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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by jimyritz » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:15 pm

:headbang: ...Who were the 2 big shots at your table? Green strap?

Did you wear the IWC?

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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by craniotes » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:20 pm

Of course I wore the Top Gay.

Durr. :rolleyes:

Regards,
Adam

PS - And yay on me for totally getting away with a two and a half hour lunch. :rock:
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by aztecknight » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:24 pm

craniotes wrote:so this was a great opportunity to peel back the veil and see how the other half lives
Wait a minute, there's another half? I thought some of you guys on here were the other half.

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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by JBZ » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:25 pm

Nifty event. I see that Mr. Fuente is a panama hat afficiando. I once went down the rabbit hole of researching panamas. Some of them can rival the cost of a VERY nice watch, and there's lots of internet chatter over who makes the best, which ones are overpriced, etc. You can generally get a pretty good one for a couple of hundred, if you're so inclined.

Sorry for the thread-jack.
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by snootydog » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:29 pm

Pink flowery tie and bright lime green watch strap..........and you guys think my colourful socks are too much? :lol:
Looks like it was a good function though Adam.
Seems odd when linking products with smoking is a no no these days,yeah I know cigars are not the same but you know what I mean :grin:
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by jswing » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:30 pm

jimyritz wrote::headbang: ...Who were the 2 big shots at your table? Green strap?

Did you wear the IWC?
The dude with the green strap looks baked. :bananastoner:

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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by BBK357 » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:32 pm

awesome. I used to enjoy a Fuente cigar or two when I had the time. I used to subscribe to Cigar Aficionado and Fuente looks exactly the same year after year, the man doesnt age.

By the way that gay ass Hublot that the chick was wearing looks like Pats grail.
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by rockmastermike » Mon Dec 10, 2012 1:46 pm

great post, Adam, thanks! looks like the other half does pretty well these days, although I've not spent tiem in the cigar world, looks like good Camaraderie.

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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by moishlashen » Mon Dec 10, 2012 2:05 pm

Sweet-Did you light one up (cigar :shifty:) AC ?
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by dshap » Mon Dec 10, 2012 2:10 pm

When the busboy asked Adam if he wanted to smoke a pole and then led him into the coatroom, Adam assumed that's just what you're supposed to do at the Club.
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by snoballz » Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:24 pm

It's always nice to meet up with the craniotes. Although we were not seated together, I ended up at a table with a guy I met at a WUS/DOXA GTG back in 2008... and some guy named Spanish Rob. :scratch: ;)

The Fuente LE, similar to many watches, look a lot nicer in person.

For those that enjoy cigars, we were handed an Opus X Perfecxion. It's a big, full, smoke with nice spicy finish. Way too powerful for lunch (for me anyway). Luckily I didn't have to pick up my son from school afterward since I was knocked on my arse.

Adam... remember this?

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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by Fitz » Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:36 pm

This really beats the hell out of my brown bag lunch today. Turkey sandwich, water, and motions of dismiss or steak, red wine, watches and cigars . . . . I'll take the later. As far as the watches go I'm digging the one inside the humidor with the PVD'd or DLC'd case. They really seem to be borrowing design cues from the Royal Oak. When I look at them I see more AP than Hublot, any one else notice this?
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by craniotes » Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:46 pm

HA!

That was a good night (that's when we took delivery of our NSA Incursions).

Regards,
Adam
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by craniotes » Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:49 pm

Fitz wrote:As far as the watches go I'm digging the one inside the humidor with the PVD'd or DLC'd case. They really seem to be borrowing design cues from the Royal Oak. When I look at them I see more AP than Hublot, any one else notice this?
It's ceramic, and yes, the Hublot "borrowing" from AP thing has been going on for quite some time now, right down the gazillion LEs that are differentiated by color and case material and little else.

That said, this is a pretty nice watch in person. Still not my bag, but I'm starting to see why some folks are into 'em.

Regards,
Adam
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by giosdad » Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:04 pm

Nice way to spend lunch!!!I agree that the one in the humidor looks pretty interesting.
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by jimyritz » Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:09 pm

jswing wrote:
jimyritz wrote::headbang: ...Who were the 2 big shots at your table? Green strap?

Did you wear the IWC?
The dude with the green strap looks baked. :bananastoner:
=========

I was thinking the same...

I would have no problem wearing the Man United Hublot... :thumbsup:

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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by SCM64 » Mon Dec 10, 2012 4:37 pm

A buddy of mine's family has been doing business with the Fuentes for years. They grow most of the leaf used by Fuente Cigars, and they helped develop the wrapper leaf for the Opus X line of cigars. I even got a prototype sample from John (who will take over for his dad one day) before they hit the market.

Even met Arturo Feunte Sr. years ago when I stopped by the office. Business is good, as John drives a DB-7.

Personal cigar fav, Arturo Fuentes Hemingway Signature.
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by Pasquale » Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:27 pm

U got the life AC
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by greenlightning » Mon Dec 10, 2012 5:54 pm

I don't want to get into a big pissing contest, but I ate a chili dog with my bookie today...

Seriously, that's a sweet deal. Thanks for posting the photos.

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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by hobbit712 » Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:35 pm

SCM64 wrote:A buddy of mine's family has been doing business with the Fuentes for years. They grow most of the leaf used by Fuente Cigars, and they helped develop the wrapper leaf for the Opus X line of cigars. I even got a prototype sample from John (who will take over for his dad one day) before they hit the market.

Even met Arturo Fuente Sr. years ago when I stopped by the office. Business is good, as John drives a DB-7.

Personal cigar fav, Arturo Fuentes Hemingway Signature.
I was a huge cigar nut a few years ago and still am to a degree. I went to many a smoking event in my day. I have met a number of the big cigar names over the years. Carlos Jr is a truly humble and nice man to be around.

Steven....I partied at a small cigar event at friends house in Winter Haven many years ago with Johnito.
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by aikiman44 » Mon Dec 10, 2012 6:55 pm

Now that's some cool event.
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Re: Hublot, Arturo Fuente and a special guest...

Post by matt.wu » Mon Dec 10, 2012 7:14 pm

Not gonna lie. This one isn't too bad:
craniotes wrote:Image
:htfu:

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