Hublot Watches | Chrono24.in (2024)

Hublot: Distinct Design Meets Modern Materials

As a young company, the Swiss watch manufacturer Hublot is focused on modern times. Their timepieces blend exceptional craftsmanship with extraordinary designs and, in some cases, never-before-seen materials.

• Reshaping the Luxury Watch Industry
• Prices at a Glance: Hublot Watches
• How much does a Hublot watch cost?
• About the Big Bang Collection
• Big Bang Special Editions
• The MP Collection: Full of Energy
• Prices for the Classic Fusion
• King Power and Spirit of Big Bang
• Limited Editions
• Hublot and Soccer
• The History of 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 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."

The fusion of seemingly incongruous materials continues to define the modern collection. For example, Hublot is the only company to produce so-called Magic Gold, a yellow gold and ceramic alloy. Some watches also feature carbon, sapphire, titanium, textile, or even a kind of concrete.

But their variety of materials isn't the only unusual thing about Hublot: The company also forges its own path in terms of design. The Hublot Big Bang, which lives up to its name by featuring case diameters of up to 45 mm, quickly conquered many a watch lover's heart the world over. The Classic Fusion is rather sleek by Hublot standards, while the MP collection could have come from a sci-fi film. The Spirit of Big Bang stands out from the pack with its tonneau-shaped case. Hublot augmented its catalog in 2022 with a line of square watches the manufacturer has appropriately named the Square Bang.

A look inside these timepieces is proof positive that Hublot has mastered the art of watchmaking. Here you'll find, among other things, in-house movements with bi-axial tourbillons and calibers with up to nine barrels promising over two weeks of power reserve. Watches with chronograph, GMT, and perpetual calendar functions are also part of Hublot's portfolio.

Prices for Hublot watches start at 1,000 USD. You'll find classic models with quartz calibers from the 1980s and 90s at this end of the spectrum.

If you want a watch from the current collection, expect to shell out quite a bit more. Plan to spend about 3,100 USD for a three-hand model from the Classic Fusion line with a quartz movement and stainless steel case. A titanium chronograph with an automatic caliber will cost you upwards of 7,000 USD.

Prices for timepieces in the Big Bang collection begin on average at around 6,200 USD. However, Square Bang models come with a price tag of between 21,000 and 42,000 USD, and special editions like the Big Bang Chrono Tourbillon Ferrari demand up to 94,000 USD or beyond. If a futuristic look better suits your style, a watch from the MP series demands an investment of between 156,000 and 520,000 USD.

Watches in the Big Bang Sang Bleu and Sang Bleu II collections stand out with their futuristic looks, which spring from the mind of Swiss designer and tattoo artist Maxime Büchi, who is famous for his geometric designs. The time is displayed not by normal watch hands, but rather by a series of polygonal disks arranged on top of each other.

The first Sang Bleu edition displays nothing but the time, and is available in sizes of 39 and 45 mm. The smaller models come in stainless steel or gold, while the 45-mm Sang Bleu is available in gold, titanium, or ceramic. Both models also come in special Pavé editions with diamond-studded cases. Depending on the edition, you can buy a Sang Bleu with three hands for between 13,500 and 29,200 USD.

The Sang Bleu II debuted in 2019 and adheres to the design principles of the original Sang Bleu, but is powered by the Unico caliber 1240 and features a flyback chronograph. The case measures 45 mm in diameter and comes in titanium or King Gold. Hublot expanded the selection two years later by adding variants in blue or green ceramic and Magic Gold.

Depending on which edition you choose, plan to spend anywhere between 28,100 and 55,200 USD on a Sang Bleu II.

MECA-10 and MP-11: The Manually-Wound Big Bang

Unlike other lines in the Big Bang collection, watches in the Big Bang MECA-10 series are fitted with hand-wound calibers. The Meca caliber HUB1201 has a 10-day power reserve, as well as a power reserve indicator at 6 o'clock that lets you know when the watch needs to be wound again. You can buy the Big Bang MECA-10 in ceramic, titanium, King Gold, and Magic Gold editions for between 17,700 and 35,400 USD.

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 collection, it wasn't made available in the Big Bang until 2018. Prices for this timepiece range from 50,000 USD for a carbon fiber edition to 115,000 USD for the version with a green sapphire crystal case.

The Big Bang With a Tourbillon and Other Complications

In 2021, Hublot introduced the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic, the successor model to the Big Bang Tourbillon Power Reserve 5 Days. The most significant difference between these watches is the movement: The earlier model was powered by the hand-wound caliber HUB6016, and the new variant is equipped with the automatic caliber HUB6035. The movement has a tourbillion at 6 o'clock and a micro-rotor at 12 that provides the watch with its power. The sapphire crystal bridges on this movement provide a clear view of the mechanism inside.

A ceramic or carbon Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic will cost you approximately 80,200 USD. If you'd prefer a model with a sapphire case and bracelet, plan to spend around 350,000 USD.

In the spring of 2022, Hublot put their watchmaking skills to the test. Thanks to the hand-wound caliber HUB801, the Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Cathedral Minute Repeater boasts both a tourbillon and a minute repeater, as its name implies. The movement is embedded in a ceramic case – a world first for a repeater caliber. Up until now, the material's considerable acoustic properties had precluded it from being used in this way, but Hublot found a means of making the sound ring clearly. The edition is extremely limited: There were only 18 white and 18 black pieces produced, each with a MSRP of 295,000 USD.

If you think the Big Bang's design is unique, the MP collection is next-level eccentric. The MP-05 watch looks like something straight out of a top-secret laboratory. Known as “LaFerrari,” its case is pear-shaped and strongly resembles a race car's engine block. The watch 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 can be seen in the middle.

However, what makes this timepiece truly striking is its eleven series-coupled barrels. By comparison, most watches have only one or two barrels. The number of barrels in a timepiece is directly related to the length of its power reserve, which means the MP-05 can run for 50 days before it needs to be rewound – an impressive feat for a wristwatch. You can buy a gold model for approximately 271,000 USD, a black ceramic edition for 307,000 USD, or a sapphire crystal version for around 482,000 USD.

MP-09 and Techframe

The MP-09 is in no way inferior to the other MP models, neither technically nor visually. The bi-axial tourbillon, which breaks through the bezel at 6 o'clock and rotates simultaneously around the vertical and horizontal axes, attracts ample attention. The watch comes in titanium or carbon, as well as gem-set variants, and changes hands for about 138,000 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 King Gold, Hublot's proprietary rose gold alloy. The carbon model is the most affordable at roughly 101,000 USD, followed by the titanium edition at 109,000 USD. If you'd prefer one of the rose or white gold versions, be sure to have between 128,000 and 149,000 USD on hand.

The Classic Fusion collection offers more conventional designs than the MP or Big Bang 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 likewise features elaborate technology. What's more, this collection offers an assortment of interesting materials. For example, the Italian Independent models have straps and dials made of textiles used in suits, while the Classic Fusion Berluti features leather straps and dials. To celebrate the Classic Fusion's 40th anniversary in 2020, Hublot introduced three especially sleek editions. The most remarkable feature on these 45-mm watches, which come in titanium, yellow gold, or black ceramic, is their dial: Like the 1980 Classic Original, the dial is black and features the brand's logo at 12 o'clock and a date display at 3.

Prices in this collection depend on size, material, and complications, and range from 4,600 USD for simple titanium, three-hand, quartz-powered models to well above 244,000 USD for diamond-studded editions with a moon phase display.

AeroFusion and Orlinski

Two interesting alternatives to the conventional Classic Fusion are the AeroFusion and the Classic Fusion Orlinski. The former is a variant of the Classic Fusion Chronograph with a skeletonized movement and 45-mm case. The AeroFusion comes in King Gold, titanium, or black ceramic, and Pavé models with diamond-set cases are also available. Depending on the material and whether you want your watch on a rubber strap or link bracelet, plan to spend anywhere from 12,700 to 41,000 USD.

The Classic Fusion Orlinski was designed by French neo-pop artist Richard Orlinski, famous for his multifaceted sculptures. His trademark style is reflected in the dial, case, and band of the Classic Fusion Orlinski. The three-hand edition measures 40 mm in diameter and comes in titanium, King Gold, and various ceramic variants. The latter are available in black, red, and (since 2021) radiant blue. Chronograph models with a 45-mm case are available in red or light blue ceramic.

You can buy a three-handed Orlinski on Chrono24 for between 13,200 and 27,400 USD, depending on the model. Chronograph editions change hands for between 18,100 and 24,200 USD.

In addition to Formula 1, Hublot pays special attention to the world of soccer. For years, Hublot has been a sponsor and official timekeeper of the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, European Championship, and FIFA World Cup, and has repeatedly launched models in celebration of special events. The latest example is the Big Bang e FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 smartwatch.

But Hublot doesn't limit itself to major tournaments: The watchmaker has also partnered with top teams like Juventus FC, FC Bayern Munich, Chelsea FC, and SL Benfica, and honors these cooperations with special editions of its watches. These timepieces range in price from 5,500 to 14,800 USD.

Italian-born Carlo Crocco founded the company, MDM Genève, in 1980. That same year, he introduced the first-ever wristwatch with a natural rubber strap at Baselworld. At the time, "Hublot" was simply the name of one of his MDM models. Crocco had already been developing watches for some time, designing his first timepiece in 1967. In 2004, Jean-Claude Biver, who had previously brought both Blancpain and Omega back from the brink of bankruptcy, became CEO of Hublot, and a year later, Hublot became the recipient a number of awards from the watchmaking industry for their then-new series, the Big Bang. In 2008, Hublot joined the ranks of TAG Heuer, Zenith, and Bulgari when Carlo Crocco sold the company to luxury goods group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton S.A.

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