Hublot’s LVMH Watch Week 2023 novelties were a smorgasbord of colours decked out in a spectrum of vibrant colours. Some glistened more than others; some sparkled, while others emitted compelling shades of colours. Material innovation was once again the narrative central to Hublot’s opening gambit of the year. A cursory glance through the novelties suggests a clash, an amalgamation, but through the eyes of Hublot, it is a fusion — the Art of Fusion.
The Art of Fusion has existed within Hublot’s DNA since Carlo Crocco’s founding days; its genetic makeup is formed by pillars of Hublot’s offerings. At the heart of it lies the Hublot Classic Fusion, Crocco’s debutant timepiece and the genesis of Hublot’s very existence. Its beginning was anything but humble as creator Crocco shook the watch industry with a highly polarising creation — yellow gold paired with a rubber strap, noble metal meets industrial material. Hublot did the unthinkable and stuck to its vision, laying the foundation for what it is known for today.
“Daring… Shattering established conventions, mastering traditional heritage to push back the boundaries, merging high-tech composites with precious, natural materials, working with sectors or people who transcend our motto “to be first, unique and different. 40 exhilarating years have shaped these Classic Fusion Originals. We have redesigned them because Hublot has changed, they embody these rebellious alliances that make us who we are today.” Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO.
A fitting tribute to the original Hublot Classic Fusion appeared at the LVMH Watch Week. Named the Hublot Classic Fusion Original, the collection was rendered in a trio of case materials. Needless to say, yellow gold is one of them, with stainless steel and glossy black ceramic completing the trifecta. Hublot followed Crocco’s minimalist design brief but paid meticulous attention to details. The signature screws on the bezel and lugs are cornerstones of more angular case construction. Bare essentials punctuate a rich black lacquer dial — applied Hublot logo, “Swiss Made” texts, faceted watch hands and a stealthy date aperture. Together, they make a compelling package greater than the sum of the individual components, a case of returning to the past to better shape the future. Three dimensions (33mm, 38mm, 42mm) are made in total, bringing the total number of references to nine for this collection. Of course, they are paired with a rubber strap.
Next in line are the heavy hitters from the Hublot Big Bang collection. Widely regarded as the tour de force in Hublot’s lineup, the boundaries of watchmaking are pushed to the limits, and material innovations are no strangers to the Hublot Big Bang. This year, Hublot continues to expound on Jean-Claude Biver’s brainchild, with the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM leading the charge. For this edition, Hublot revisits SAXEM, a unique material used in 2019 for the Hublot Big Bang MP-11, albeit in a different colour.
Coloured sapphire cases are notoriously hard to synthesise, yet Hublot has managed to crack the chromatic codes with the colourless, orange and purple versions of the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Sapphire. The Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM, on the other hand, toes the line of being classified as a sapphire watch case with its elemental composition. SAXEM, abbreviated as Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Mineral, is used mainly in satellite technologies. A special concoction of rare earth elements, including thulium, holmium and chromium, are added to aluminium oxide, a basic component of sapphire. The result is a powerful, bright neon yellow colour which almost seems to glow from the inside.
The audacity does not end at the SAXEM case, as the HUB6035 Manufacture automatic tourbillon movement demonstrates Hublot’s pedigree in timekeeping. While the calibre is not new, it continues to impress no matter how often you see it. Sapphire bridges holding the movement give a levitating illusion as the tourbillon hums away. Opting for a front-facing micro-rotor is a masterstroke — apart from providing symmetry, it offers an unobstructed view of the mechanical intricacies. Only 50 pieces of this technical marvel will be produced, each paired with a neon yellow textured rubber strap tailor-made for this watch.
From synthetics to naturally occurring gemstones, Haute Joaillerie takes precedence in the Hublot Big Bang Integrated King Gold Rainbow. Utilising the Hublot Big Bang Integrated as a blank canvas, the rainbow execution finds its way into one of Hublot’s best-selling collections for the first time. The Hublot Big Bang Integrated King Gold Rainbow does not shy away from the limelight and is unapologetic in every way possible. A symbol of contemporary exuberance, translucent gemstones in a perfect gradation of rainbow colours run through the watch from the bezel to the watch case to the bracelet links. 942 precious gemstones, including ruby, amethyst, blue topaz, tsavorite and sapphires in shades of pink, orange, blue and yellow, are individually gem-set. Here is a further breakdown, 54 baguette-cut gemstones adorn the bezel, 120 are set on the case, and 768 are encrusted on the bracelet links.
King Gold, one of Hublot’s proudest exponents of the Art of Fusion, was chosen as the perfect foil to the gemstones with warmer undertones. The multi-faceted design of the watch sparkles in harmony with the gemstones as they feature alternating flat satin-finished surfaces and polished chamfers. Hublot’s Unico Manufacture MHUB1280 self-winding chronograph flyback movement offers a skeletonised view of the movement and boasts a power reserve of three full days. An alternate time-only version of the watch is also available, coming in with slightly smaller dimensions of 40mm instead of the 42mm of the Hublot Big Bang Integrated King Gold Rainbow.
Staying on the topic of time, rhinos face a race against time in a battle against extinction. The number of rhinos has dropped dramatically over the past 10 years. Three wild rhinos are killed every day on average, leaving less than 30,000 rhinos alive worldwide. Though steps were taken to conserve and protect rhinos, poachers continue to hunt them for their horns.
Enter SORAI (Save Our Rhinos Africa India), an organisation founded by Hublot ambassador and former international cricket star Kevin Pietersen to support projects that protect endangered animals. SORAI employs active measures to safeguard rhinos’ future, and Hublot has been supporting the organisation since 2019. A special edition watch helps raise awareness about the stark reality of rhino extinction, and part of the proceeds are donated to SORAI. Proceeds from the sale of the Hublot Big Bang Unico SORAI will go directly to projects supported by SORAI to equip helicopters with cameras, raise awareness in schools about the consequences of poaching and provide backup to rangers on the ground. These strategies are implemented in South Africa, where the need is the biggest and most pressing. South Africa is home to more than 80% of the world’s total population of rhinos, with the majority of poaching taking place in Kruger National Park, as it has the largest population of wild white rhinos left on earth.
The third edition of the Big Bang Unico SORAI takes inspiration from the great mammal’s hide and its habitat. A specially developed rhino-grey ceramic case was developed for this 100-piece limited edition watch. Polishing and microblasting treatments give the case a matte texture with polished bevels. The dial and watch strap colours highlight two very different realities rhinos face. The open-worked dial mimics the colours of a sunsetting sky, heralding nightfall and danger when poachers swing into action. The colours of the strap bring new hope, with the breaking of dawn signifying another chance at survival.
Once you are done with the Hublot LVMH Watch Week 2023 Novelties report, click here to catch up with our February 2023 issue.
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