Guide The black magic of Hublot
Hublot is probably the most disruptive brand in modern watchmaking. Resting 20 years ago, it is today a key player integrated in the high spheres of the industry. How do we enter its world?
A charismatic boss, completely offbeat watches, highly disruptive watchmaking technologies, and a real razzia on worlds such as car racing, soccer and contemporary art. Hublot is not a watch brand like any other: it is a universe. And like any universe, the most difficult part is often to find the entrance door.
The ultimate sporty-chic watch
To achieve this, the most important thing is to understand the brand's DNA. At the beginning, it was a crazy challenge: to associate watchmaking and its precious metals with a rubber strap to produce a new kind of sporty-chic watch. Indeed, this category dates back to the end of the 1970s, when Audemars Piguet, among others, had succeeded in democratizing the use of the steel case and bracelet on prestigious models such as the Royal Oak.
Twenty years later, it was time to revisit the idea and give the sporty-chic watch a new lease on life, more in line with the aesthetic and technical aspirations of the 21st century. Hublot took on this mission, creating a fusion of materials much more modern than steel: ceramic, sapphire, among others, and offering a rubber strap on each case.
The success of this profoundly disruptive approach has been absolutely dazzling. In just a few years, Hublot has established itself as an essential brand in the world of fine watchmaking, preserving a very high level of technicality with a truly cool and sexy approach to traditional watchmaking.
A strong DNA
Alongside grand complications, unique pieces, tourbillons and perpetual calendars, and even minute repeaters that have won a Grand Prix de l'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), there are some iconic models that bring together the essence of the brand's DNA, while remaining very accessible.
Among the key elements that constitute the essence of the manufacture, there is certainly the iconic round bezel with visible screws, a true aesthetic signature of the brand. Then there is the rubber strap, which is directly attached to the case, thus constituting an "integrated" bracelet. At the same time, there is Hublot's iconic color: black. It is this color that gave birth to the All Black variations, which have been a staple at Hublot for over 15 years. Finally, there is the chronograph, which has become the queen complication at Hublot. It is mainly bicompax, simple, streamlined, easily readable, as any chronograph should be.
And the winner is...
The Classic Fusion Chronograph Black Magic combines all these indispensable characteristics. If you must open the door to the Hublot universe, it is the key. Obvious, timeless, unique. An essential piece, in the truest sense of the word: it concentrates the essence of Hublot. It will be enduring not only because of its aesthetics, but also because of its material, the polished and satin-finished black ceramic of its case, which is available in both 42 mm and 45 mm. If there was to be only one left, this is the one!
