Hublot is a renowned name in the watch industry. However, if you are not a watch enthusiast like us, you may not know whether Hublot is genuinely the luxury brand they seem to be. Don’t worry, we have answers for you.
Is Hublot a luxury watch? Hublot is a luxury watch. Hublot watches are made of quality materials, innovative designs, and equipped with in-house movements. To crown it all, Hublot is worn by the high and mighty in almost all spheres.
Still in doubt as to whether Hublot is as unique as wearers of the watch make out? Well, let’s look at the characteristics that make Hublot unique to people who recognize and love luxury watches.
What Is So Special About Hublot Watches?
There are several reasons why Hublot watches are so unique. These watches regarded as the Bugatti of watch industry must have something going for them, after all.
We would explore five features of these watches that make them the reverenced luxury brand that they are.
1. Movements
Any watch collector worth the name knows that the first thing to check in a watch is its movement. There are several types of movement. Each movement has its advantages.
Record-Breaking In-House Movements
Hublot watches have in-house movements made for the Hublot brand. In-house movements are specially made movements by a brand to suit a particular purpose.
These movements are generally regarded to be better than most movements and are common with luxury brands.
Hublot has 11 unique in-house movements that power all their watches. These watches cover a wide range from high-compilation pieces to self-winding movements.
More On Movement
They have also made some exceptional movements, especially a tourbillon with a record-breaking 50 days reserve. Hublot movements combine modern science technology with the traditional art of watchmaking.
With the amount of research and creativity that go into these watch movements, a Hublot watch is worth buying for the sole purpose of exploring these movements.
2. Materials
From its conception, Hublot has been a bit of a rebel in watch materials. Carlo Crocco, its founder, made the first gold watch with a rubber strap.
This 100% natural rubber strap took two years of research to perfect. Rubber had not become a common feature in watches at the time.
Innovative Materials
Hublot is widely regarded for the materials used in their watches. They do not just use precious metals. They improve on these traditional alloys giving their customers better aesthetics and performance from the watches.
More than just improving on the old, Hublot also creates entirely new composites. In line with their ‘Art of Fusion’ philosophy, they combine these materials in novel patterns in their watches.
One of the unique creations of Hublot is Magic Gold used in their Big Bang collection. This alloy produced from ceramic and gold is scratch resistant. This material is the first of its kind in watchmaking history.
Other materials previously unused or minimally used in watches that Hublot includes are ceramic, titanium, carbon fiber, aluminum, copper, zinc, magnesium, and rubber. They even created their alloy named Hublonium.
3. Design
Each Hublot watch is uniquely designed. Inspiration for these designs come from history, nature, and the occasional stroke of genius.
The designs start from paper sketches to a virtual model, and then a prototype used to test the workings of the watch.
Out Of The Box
Their ability to think out of the box is reflected in their designs, especially the case. Some of these designs are made in collaboration and reflection of partner brands.
Image source: https://www.ablogtowatch.com/hublot-mp-05-laferrari-watch-with-power-for-50-days/
One of the designs is the MP-05 LaFerrari. This watch, released alongside the car, was a tribute to the LaFerrari. The watch, made out of sapphire crystal, has a shape similar to the car outline.
The casing on Hublot watches reflects their philosophy on fusion. Each unique design combines several materials in its case. Regardless of the individualistic designs, every Hublot watch has the trademark ‘H’ screws, the bezel with the logo, and the sculpted case.
4. Manufacturing
All the materials, designs, and movements might be nothing if the manufacturing process is not done right.
Precision and Collaboration
Precision and an innovative combination of the traditional and modern are the guiding principles of the Hublot workshop.
Their workshop contains all that is necessary to make state of the art watches. Synergy exists between each department.
Hublot has a Metallurgy and Materials laboratory. This lab works closely with its Research and Development department. All the work that goes into manufacturing ensures that Hublot watches meet the luxury standard.
It would also interest you to know that while machines make the micro-components and parts of Hublot watches, the watches are assembled by hand. Hublot only employs the best hand, guaranteeing that each watch is a beauty to behold.
5. Marketing
When Jean-Claude Biver became CEO of Hublot in 2004, he built a fantastic reputation for Hublot. The Big Bang, created in 2015, had a sales increase of 100 million Swiss Francs in 2016.
The Art Of Fusion
Mr. Biver introduced the Art of Fusion ideology with the Big Bang. The watches in the collection fused bold colors with exotic materials. This combination had ample success with orders pouring in from all around the world.
Another marketing strategy used by Biver was limited editions. The idea was to make the product exclusive. This way, when you wear a Hublot watch, you become a part of an exclusive community.
Partnership
Hublot also partners with sports teams, celebrities, and events. They make limited edition watches that suit the style and taste of such events and people. One of such watches is the Hublot Big Bang Referee made exclusively for the FIFA 2018 World Cup.
Now you understand why these watches are an embodiment of perfection to those who love luxury watches.
There is a particular place of production common to most luxury watches – Switzerland. Let’s see if Hublot also fits that bill.
Where Are Hublot Watches Made?
The Hublot story starts with Carlo Crocco. He was an Italian watchmaker who was a member of the Binda Group Dynasty. This group was known for the Breil watches. Crocco broke out in 1976 and set out to build a new watch brand.
The Inception
The first watch he made was named Hublot after the French word for ‘porthole.’ Crocco’s company, first called MDM Genève, was situated in Switzerland.
The authentic watch with a rubber strap made zero sales at the 1980 Basel Watch Fair, where it debuted. However, it later made commercial sales of more than 2 million dollars in the first year.
When Crocco became too busy to manage Hublot, he handed over management to Jean-Claude Biver. Mr. Biver was experienced, having led the Omega division of the Swatch Group.
A Giant Step Forward
As the new CEO, Biver proceeded to make Hublot a grand success with awards and income to prove it. In April 2008, LVMH, a luxury goods group, acquired Hublot from Mr. Crocco for an undisclosed amount.
Hublot workshop is presently spread over 14,000 m² on Lake Geneva in Switzerland. In the pristine box-like building, Hublot continues developing new watches that push the boundaries of horology and delight all watch lovers.
Are Hublot Watches Expensive?
Hublot watches are typically expensive. They are luxury brands that not generally affordable for the average man. The Hublot, the most expensive watch from the brand yet, was sold for a whopping 5 million dollars. And yes, it is just one watch.
The Hublot brand produces watches worn by famous sports celebrities, top CEOs, and wealthy businessmen. This group of people can afford to buy expensive watches.
Hublot WISeKey
When the Formula One CEO, Bernie Ecclestone, was mugged for his Hublot watch, Hublot devised a method of authenticating their watches. This system was called the Hublot WISeKey.
It was unveiled at BaselWorld 2009 and used a smart card to detect fake watches. It went live in August 2009.
Not many watch brands will go this length to ensure that buyers of their watch are protected. This fact leaves no doubt as to how expensive Hublot watches are.
How Much Does Hublot Watches Cost?
You might be thinking, ‘they are expensive, but how much exactly?’ We won’t leave you hanging. We would first take a look at 5 of the most expensive Hublot watches.
The Most Expensive Hublot Watches
Here is a list of the prices of some of the most expensive Hublot Watches.
- The Hublot – $5 million
- Black Caviar Band – $1 million
- Masterpiece MP-02 – $305,000
- Big Bang Tourbillon Limited Edition – $290,000
- Big Bang King – $250,000
Affordable Hublot Watches
Don’t let the prices scare you away from the brand just yet. Hublot has some affordable quality watches.
Here are the prices of a few, as seen on Amazon.
- Big Bang Texalium – $27,900
- Classic Fusion Automatic Chronograph – $9,975
- Big Bang Men’s Automatic Watch – $9,850
- Classic Fusion Automatic Black Carbon Fiber – $6,425
- Classic Fusion Automatic Titanium – $5,018
Conclusion
The Hublot brand has made a distinguished name for itself in the watch industry. Their watches are not just quality but different from others in the market. So, there is no doubt about the reason why these watches are more expensive compared to others.