Hublot – Pushing The Limits Of Watch Design

Hublot, the avant-garde luxury watchmaker, epitomizes the essence of innovation and daring creativity with its distinctive “Art of Fusion” philosophy. Renowned for pushing the boundaries of traditional watchmaking, Hublot seamlessly merges unconventional materials with horological excellence to craft timepieces that redefine luxury. Through its visionary approach, Hublot integrates esoteric materials such as carbon fibre, ceramic, sapphire, and even gold alloys with cutting-edge technology and artisanal craftsmanship. This unique fusion of materials not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of Hublot watches but also underscores their durability and performance. Embracing the spirit of innovation, Hublot continues to captivate watch enthusiasts worldwide by transcending the conventional and delivering timepieces that are both visionary and exceptional.

Imbued With The Spirit Of Innovation

The company traces its origins to the visionary spirit of Carlo Crocco, who founded the brand in 1980. Drawing inspiration from the French word for “porthole,” Crocco sought to revolutionize the watchmaking industry by introducing timepieces that seamlessly blended functionality with elegance. In a bold departure from traditional watch designs of the era, Crocco unveiled the iconic Hublot Classic, a timepiece distinguished by its fusion of precious materials and a distinctive porthole-shaped case. This groundbreaking creation instantly captured the attention of watch aficionados and established Hublot as a trailblazer in luxury watchmaking.

During its formative years, Hublot rapidly gained acclaim for its avant-garde design philosophy. One of the brand’s early breakthroughs came in 1982 with the introduction of the Hublot Classic Gold, which featured the world’s first natural rubber strap integrated into a luxury timepiece. This pioneering innovation not only redefined the concept of watch straps but also set a new standard for comfort and durability in the industry. Embraced by discerning collectors and trendsetters alike, the Hublot Classic Gold solidified the brand’s reputation for pushing boundaries and challenging conventions.

Ten years later, in 1992, the brand unveiled the Big Bang, a bold and audacious timepiece that would go on to become an iconic symbol of Hublot’s relentless pursuit of innovation. Characterized by its robust construction, bold design elements, and fusion of materials, the Big Bang redefined the concept of sports luxury watches and propelled Hublot to even greater heights of success. Taking this concept of fusion several steps further the legendary Jean-Claude Biver (Hublot CEO from 2004 – 2014) would go on to launch the Big Bang collection in 2005. Building upon the brand’s heritage of audacious design and technical excellence, the Big Bang epitomized Biver’s vision of fusion, combining unexpected materials such as ceramic, carbon fibre, and rubber with traditional luxury watchmaking techniques. Today, the Big Bang remains an iconic symbol of Hublot’s bold approach to watchmaking, captivating enthusiasts with its striking aesthetics and uncompromising performance.

The Art Of Fusion

King Gold

This unwavering dedication to exploring the ‘Art of Fusion’ has led to the development of several groundbreaking materials that redefine the boundaries of luxury watchmaking. One such material is King Gold, a proprietary alloy crafted by Hublot’s metallurgists. Renowned for its distinctive warm hue and exceptional durability, King Gold combines 18-carat gold with a blend of platinum and copper to create a unique alloy that is denser and more scratch-resistant than traditional gold. This fusion of precious metals results in a material that exudes a rich, luxurious lustre while offering superior resistance to wear and tear, ensuring that Hublot timepieces crafted from King Gold stand the test of time with enduring elegance and sophistication.

Stunning examples include the One Click Rainbow King Gold (available in both 39mm and 33mm case sizes) and the Spirit of Big Bang King Gold Rainbow, all set with a dazzling array of coloured gemstones. Or the unmistakably elegant Spirit of Big Bang King Gold Pavé, which features a 42mm 18K King Gold case set with 166 diamonds paired with an open-worked sapphire dial and worn – of course – on a black structured lined rubber strap.

Sapphire

Hublot has also blazed a path into the realm of coloured sapphire, exemplifying the brand’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of material science in luxury watchmaking. Renowned for its exceptional transparency and hardness, sapphire crystal has long been a staple in high-end timepieces. However, Hublot engineers have taken this remarkable material to new heights by developing a proprietary process for colouring sapphire. Through a combination of heat and chemical additives, Hublot is able to imbue sapphire crystal with vibrant hues that defy convention. From striking blues and vivid reds to deep greens and rich yellows, Hublot’s coloured sapphire creations showcase a kaleidoscope of hues that captivate the eye and elevate the aesthetic appeal of its timepieces.

This pioneering technique not only expands the design possibilities for Hublot’s watchmakers but also reinforces the brand’s position as a trailblazer in the world of haute horlogerie. Whether adorning the dial, bezel, or case of a Hublot timepiece, coloured sapphire adds a touch of brilliance and individuality, making each watch a true work of art. Case in point, the breathtaking Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon Purple Sapphire with its 42mm rectangular case and bezel crafted entirely from polished purple sapphire. Equipped with an in-house, manual winding tourbillon movement, visible in all its glory thanks to the combination of an open-worked construction and a sapphire dial, the further use of purple sapphire throughout makes this truly an outstanding homage to the brand’s exceptional work with this hi-tech material.

Carbon Fibre

Yet another field in which Hublot excels is in the mastery of carbon fibre, a material synonymous with strength, durability, and lightweight performance. Through meticulous engineering and cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, Hublot has perfected the art of crafting carbon fibre cases that offer unparalleled strength-to-weight ratio, making them ideal for the rigors of everyday wear. Furthermore, Hublot’s expertise in carbon fibre extends beyond monochrome hues, as the brand has also pioneered the development of multi-coloured carbon fibre. Whether adorning the case, dial, or bezel of a Hublot watch, multi-coloured carbon fibre adds a unique and dynamic dimension to each timepiece, further cementing Hublot’s reputation as a trailblazer in the world of haute horlogerie.

This mastery is on full display with the Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Carbon Sky Blue, a limited edition of 50 pieces featuring 42mm carbon fibre case with sky-blue micro fibre glass. No two cases look exactly the same due to the manufacturing process, but each is super strong, super lightweight and water resistant up to 30m. Sky blue highlights across the sapphire dial tie together seamlessly with the black and sky blue structured lined rubber strap to create a final product that is quite unlike anything you’ve seen before. Inside (and visible through the sapphire dial) is the HUB6020 Manufacture Manual-winding Power Reserve Skeleton Tourbillon Movement, offering a 115-hour power reserve.

Your Hublot Timepiece

The exceptional models briefly discussed above form part of the premium selection of Hublot timepieces available to Australia’s most discerning watchmaking aficionados from Watches of Switzerland. For further information and to arrange private viewings at our Perth or Sydney boutiques, please contact us today. As always, demand often exceeds supply, so we encourage you not to delay if you wish to secure your desired timepiece.