Roland has partnered with legendary band Depeche Mode, the Swiss watchmaker Hublot, and non-profit organization charity: water in an effort that has raised $1.7 million to date to provide clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations.
Coinciding with Depeche Mode’s current Global Spirit tour, Roland, Depeche Mode, Hublot and charity: water offered 55 one-of-a-kind watches for sale featuring exclusive Depeche Mode artwork – one unique watch for each of the band’s 55 singles. Each Hublot Big Bang Depeche Mode “The Singles” Limited Edition watch comes housed in a presentation road case containing a watch and a Roland JP-08 synthesizer module, a limited-edition module from Roland’s Boutique Series that pays homage to and recreates the sound of the legendary JUPITER-8 synthesizer used by Depeche Mode.
At Depeche Mode’s June 6 concert at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center arena, Depeche Mode and Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe presented charity: water CEO Scott Harrison a check for $1.7 million for the money raised to date, in a pre-show ceremony before the band played an electrifying set to a packed house of enthralled fans who were on their feet from the first note. All the proceeds from the sale of the watches will be used by charity: water to provide clean water to people in need around the world.
Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore said, “It’s been amazing to be able to help so many people over the last two tours. We couldn’t be happier.”
Harrison pointed out, “We’ve helped 80,000 human beings get water for the first time. That’s enough to fill Barclays Center four times. So, when you look around at the concert, those are all of the people who have gotten to drink clean water because of Depeche Mode and this unique partnership. They’ve gone from drinking water that is diseased, to clean and safe water—some for the first time in their lives—and it’s absolutely transformative.”
Brian Alli, Roland’s Vice President of Global Influencer Relations, said, “This collaboration demonstrates what commitment and creativity can do—not just in music, but when concerned people get together to help those less fortunate than us.” Depeche Mode is using Roland synthesizers and sound modules on their Global Spirit tour.
“Hublot is so proud to be able to participate in this event that has given water to so many people,” noted Guadalupe. “All the proceeds of the sale of these special watches—100 percent—will go to charity: water.”
Photo: Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot (pictured far right), and Depeche Mode officially presented charity: water with a check for $1.7 million raised since 2017 over the course of the third partnership between the band and the Swiss watchmaker. The money was raised over two years from the proceeds of two different models: first, the Hublot Big Bang Depeche Mode watch released as a limited edition of 250 pieces in 2017, then the collection of unique Big Bang Unico Depeche Mode The Singles Limited Edition watches in 2018.
