Hublot

Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Hublot has been making waves with its extraordinary designs, unusual material combinations, and high-end craftsmanship since its founding in Nyon, Switzerland in 1980. Company founder Carlo Crocco set the tone with his very first collection, which included the world's first gold watch on a rubber strap. This timepiece also introduced the brand's unique and now-iconic bezel with prominent screws. Crocco based the watch on a ship's porthole. In fact, the company's name, "Hublot," is French for "porthole."

Watches made of seemingly opposing materials continue to define the modern Fusion collection. For example, Hublot is the only company producing Magic Gold, a yellow gold and ceramic alloy. Some watches also feature carbon, sapphire, titanium, textile, or even a type of concrete.

However, it's not just the materials that make Hublot watches unique, their designs are equally exceptional. The most notable example is the Big Bang. At up to 45 mm in diameter, it more than earns its name and quickly became a favorite among watch enthusiasts the world over. By Hublot standards, the Classic Fusion line is rather tame, while the MP collection looks like it belongs in a science fiction film. Then there's the Spirit of Big Bang series, which distinguishes itself with its barrel-shaped cases.

A look inside the case reveals Hublot's watchmaking prowess. Here, you'll mostly find in-house calibers, including select models with a bi-axis tourbillon or up to nine barrels. The latter boasts a power reserve of more than two weeks. Chronographs, GMT watches, and perpetual calendars are also included in Hublot's repertoire.

Prices for Hublot watches begin around 1,200 USD. This price point includes mostly quartz-powered {model-200,Classic models} from the 1980s and 90s. For something from a more recent collection, you will have to make a much larger investment. Expect to pay at least 3,500 USD for a quartz three-hand Classic Fusion model in stainless steel. Chronographs with an automatic caliber and titanium case easily cost upwards of 8,000 USD. The most affordable watches from the Big Bang series generally start at about 7,100 USD. However, special editions like the Big Bang Chrono Tourbillon Ferrari often demand 76,500 USD or more. Finally, the MP collection's futuristic timepieces sell for anywhere from 175,000 to 475,000 USD.

Unlike the Big Bang Unico, the Big Bang Meca-10 and Big Bang Tourbillon Power Reserve 5 Days collections are home to timepieces with manually-wound calibers. While the Tourbillon's caliber HUB6016 has a substantial five-day power reserve, the Meca's HUB1201 caliber can last for ten days. Both watches feature a power reserve display that indicates how much energy the movement has left. The Meca-10 is available in ceramic, titanium, King Gold, or Magic Gold and sells for between 16,000 and 33,000 USD.

Hublot produces the Tourbillon Power Reserve 5 Days in gold, titanium, ceramic, and transparent red or blue sapphire crystal. Depending on the material, you should expect to pay between 76,000 and 154,000 USD for a Tourbillon Power Reserve 5 Days.

Another interesting Big Bang model is the MP-11. Hublot equips this watch with the in-house manual caliber HUB9011, which boasts an extraordinary 14-day power reserve thanks to its seven series-coupled barrels. While this technology has a long history in the MP-11 series, it wasn't made available in the Big Bang until 2018. Prices for these timepieces range from 71,000 USD for a carbon fiber edition to 141,000 USD for the version with a green sapphire crystal case.

If you think the Big Bang's design is unique, the MP collection goes even further. It's perfect for the eccentric watch lover, and the MP-05 watch looks like something straight out of a top-secret laboratory. Known as "LaFerrari," its case is pear-shaped and resembles a race car's engine block. It measures 46 mm in diameter and is available in either titanium or sapphire crystal. Instead of hands, the MP-05 utilizes multiple rotating cylinders with numbers on them for its various displays. A power reserve indicator is located on the right, while the hours and minutes are on the left. The seconds display is located below them, and the manual caliber with its vertical tourbillon is visible in the middle.

However, what makes this watch truly striking is its 11 series-coupled barrels. For comparison, most watches only have one or two barrels. The number of barrels in a timepiece is directly related to how long the power reserve is. Thus, the MP-05 can run for 50 days before it needs to be rewound – an impressive feat for a wristwatch. The version in black ceramic demands around 225,000 USD, while the gold model changes hands for about 305,000 USD. Finally, the edition with a sapphire crystal case is the most expensive at approximately 540,000 USD.

The MP-07 and MP-09 are just as futuristic as their sister model, the MP-05. Hublot once again took inspiration from motorsport for the design of the MP-07. Its row of nine barrels is a sight to behold and provides this watch with a 40-day power reserve. Prices for this rather masculine watch begin around 260,000 USD.

MP-09 and Techframe

Compared to the MP-05 and the MP-07, the MP-09 looks almost classic. However, from a technological perspective, it is no less impressive. Its bi-axis tourbillon, which rotates on two axes, is particularly hard to ignore. This timepiece comes in carbon or titanium and is also available with precious gemstone embellishments. Plan on spending about 150,000 USD on a titanium MP-09. You can call the carbon fiber version your own for around 158,000 USD.

The Techframe is also a part of the MP collection. Ferrari's Chief Designer, Flavio Manzoni, is the man behind this extraordinary single-pusher chronograph. This timepiece boasts a tourbillon, as well as a skeletonized dial and case. In addition to titanium and carbon, the Techframe comes in white gold or shimmering King Gold. The latter is Hublot's proprietary rose gold alloy. The titanium model is the most affordable at roughly 91,000 USD, followed by the carbon edition at 130,000 USD. If you'd prefer one of the rose or white gold versions, be sure to have between 135,000 and 147,000 USD on hand.

The Classic Fusion series offers more conventional designs than the MP series. Three-hand models with a date display and central second hand come in four sizes: 33, 38, 42, and 45 mm. By Hublot standards, these variants of the Classic Fusion are downright simplistic. Each watch has a distinctive bezel held in place by six decorative screws. Other versions feature a chronograph caliber, moon phase display, or power reserve indicator. The Extra-Thin models use the same case as the Classic Fusion but are remarkably flat.

The Classic Fusion with a minute repeater and tourbillon is likewise technically intricate. What's more, this collection offers an assortment of interesting materials. For example, Italia Independent models have dials and bands made of suit fabric, while the Classic Fusion Berluti features leather dials and bands. In 2020, Hublot marked the Classic Fusion's 40th anniversary with three especially simple models: one in titanium, one in yellow gold, and one in black ceramic. Each measures 45 mm in diameter and features an eye-catching black dial. Like the original Classic Fusion from 1980, the dial only has the brand's logo at 12 o'clock and a date display at 3.

Prices in this collection range from 4,200 USD for simple, quartz-powered models to 40,000 USD for diamond-studded editions with an automatic caliber and moon phase display.

Limited editions created by Hublot in collaboration with big names from the worlds of sports and entertainment are true collector's items. The list of brand ambassadors includes many familiar names, such as Usain Bolt, Pelé, Dwayne Wade, Floyd Mayweather, Bar Refaeli, Lang Lang, and Depeche Mode. Each timepiece is the result of close cooperation with the respective celebrity, and some only come in extremely limited numbers. In the case of the Depeche Mode watch, you can even support a good cause with your purchase. All of its proceeds go toward the "charity: water" project, which has provided clean drinking water to over 30,000 people in Nepal and Ethiopia. If you'd like to call one of these unique, limited edition timepieces your own, be sure to have between 16,000 and 21,500 USD on hand.

The following story shows just how close the relationship between this luxury watch manufacturer and the world of sports is. Bernie Ecclestone, the former chief executive of Formula 1, always wears Hublot. He was once violently mugged in London with a Hublot on his wrist; four men attacked him, beat him severely, and ran off with the timepiece. Shortly thereafter, Hublot and Ecclestone collaborated on a strange advertising campaign. The advertisement featured Ecclestone with his bruised face and the tagline, “See what people will do for a Hublot.”

In addition to Formula 1, Hublot has a strong connection to the world's most popular sport: soccer. Hublot has been a sponsor and the official timekeeper of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, European Football Championship, and the FIFA World Cup for years. Each major event sees the release of a special, limited-edition timepiece. The most recent example is the Smartwatch Big Bang Referee made for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. However, Hublot is focused on more than just the big tournaments. They've also partnered with Juventus Turin, FC Bayern München, FC Chelsea, and Benfica Lissabon. Each team has their own special edition timepiece. One of these soccer watches costs between 5,800 and 15,500 USD.

Hublot has been successfully experimenting with various case materials for many years. The company has made major contributions to the research of gold processing. This resulted in the creation of so-called "King Gold," among other materials. King Gold is made of 18-karat gold mixed with platinum and a high percentage of copper. The alloy doesn't oxidize and is characterized by its intense red color, which stays vibrant for years.

Hublot is also venturing into uncharted territory with their Magic Gold. Unlike other gold alloys that are made by adding other metals, Magic Gold is a mixture of ceramic and liquid gold. The result is the first scratch-resistant 18-karat gold alloy in the world. Hardness is measured in Vickers hardness numbers. A usual 18-karat solid gold case is 400 Vickers. Tempered steel is 600 Vickers. Magic Gold, on the other hand, is almost 1,000 Vickers. The gold/ceramic mix is so strong that a diamond is needed to work it.

Italian Carlo Crocco founded the company, MDM Genève, in 1980. That same year, he introduced the first-ever wristwatch with a natural rubber strap at the watch trade show Baselworld. At the time, "Hublot" was simply the name for one of his watch models. However, Crocco had been developing watches long before that: His first watch was designed back in 1967. In 2004, Jean-Claude Biver, who had previously brought both Blancpain and Omega back from the brink, became the CEO of Hublot. One year later, Hublot was the recipient of countless awards from the watchmaking industry for their then-new series, the Big Bang. In 2008, the luxury goods concern LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE bought Hublot from Carlo Crocco. TAG Heuer also belongs to LVMH.

Ricardo Guadalupe has been at the head of Hublot since 2012, while Biver continues to serve in the background as chairman of the board. The two men previously worked together at Blancpain.