“Hublot Loves Football” ad campaign featuring soccer balls painted by Romero Britto (2014).
Photo: Fred Merz, courtesy Hublot.

Brazilian artist Romero Britto has teamed up with luxury Swiss watchmaker Hublot to create a series of ads featuring a selection of international soccer stars in honor of the ongoing FIFA World Cup, reports Pursuitist.

Swiss photographer Fred Merz captured the campaign’s images of such soccer greats as Xherdan Shaqiri, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Radamel Falcao, posed with a variety of brightly colored soccer balls hand-painted by Britto. Dramatically lit, the photos are taken in offices and on the field, with the cheerful soccer balls prominently displayed, belying the otherwise serious vibe.

“Hublot Loves Football” ad campaign featuring soccer balls painted by Romero Britto (2014).
Photo: Fred Merz, courtesy Hublot.

Accompanying the photos were a series of publicity-generating events, including one held in April at Britto’s Miami studio, where living legend Pelé stopped by in his capacity as Hublot brand ambassador. The Swiss company is hoping to capitalize on World Cup fever with the “Hublot Loves Football” ads, which are shilling their Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chronograph, a gold watch with a carbon fiber bezel that is specially designed for timing 45-minute soccer game halves (with the ability to track overtime as well)—because in soccer, timing is crucial, as USA fans who watched this weekend’s disappointing draw with Portugal know all too well.

If the ads aren’t selling you on the expensive watches, but you’re digging Britto’s arty sports gear, a version of his fun, vibrant soccer ball design is available for $49.99 at Savvy Gifting.

“Hublot Loves Football” ad campaign featuring soccer balls painted by Romero Britto (2014).
Photo: Fred Merz, courtesy Hublot.