Hublot | Featured Brand at Time+Tide Watches

23.10.2020
Thor Svaboe

Mass gains! Hublot are peak 2020 as they release a mechanical desk clock FOUR TIMES the size of the Meca-10 model

In Scandinavia we have a traditional saying: all good things come in threes. And, boy, does this apply to clocks in 2020. First, the Hodinkee table clock that broke the internet and brutally maimed the comments section, then the futuristic T-Rex from Massena LAB, MB&F and L’Epée. And here comes lucky number three – the Hublot Meca-10 Clock. Hublot’s impressive in-house Meca-10 movement was released four years ago, and this year made its debut in the fabulous tonneau-shaped Spirit of Big Bang, to our micro-mechanical marvelling delight. So, as an answer to your question, no, this is not a small paperweight, but the entire Meca-10 movement made four times larger, measuring 19.6cm by 18.1cm. Despite this enlargement, it fully preserves the 10-day power reserve, and original specifications – including its knock-out skeletonised movement. And, once again, the clock-masters at L’Epée are the go-to collaborators in the venture, solidifying their position alongside JLC as the masters of static timepieces. This comes in two tantalising versions (yes, still talking about a table clock here) — black PVD or satin and polished steel with transparent composite. While Hublot aren’t afraid of providing their wristwatches with large, easy to use crowns, the Hublot Meca-10 Clock… Read More

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18.10.2020
James Robinson

HANDS-ON: The Hublot 40 Years Anniversary Black Ceramic

It’s hard to believe it’s been four decades since the inception of arguably the most disruptive and provocative watchmaker in modern history. But we are indeed celebrating their 40th birthday and their first-ever watch – the Classic Original, otherwise known as the OG gold watch with a rubber strap. To commemorate the milestone, Hublot has unveiled a trilogy of 40 Years Anniversary watches in three different materials that it has championed in horology – gold, ceramic and titanium. And while these watches are virtually identical, the different case materials mean that each has a very different personality. We’ve been fortunate enough to spend some time with all three examples, but this story will focus on what has to be the most under-the-radar iteration – the Hublot 40 Years Anniversary Black Ceramic. The case As we’ve come to expect from modern Hublot timepieces, the case of this limited edition watch is not small. We’re talking 45mm across and about 13mm thick. Despite these XL measurements, the watch doesn’t feel very weighty or ungainly on the wrist, and that’s down to the liquid cool, silky smooth polished ceramic case, which is contrasted by a satin-brushed ceramic bezel and end links. The… Read More

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17.10.2020
Andrew McUtchen

“We thought the world needed a luxury Swatch watch.” Explosive Jean-Claude Biver interview tells the Hublot story like never before

Jean-Claude Biver and his team bought Hublot 24 years ago. At that time it was a tiny brand, big in Spain, but netting $24-million. But Biver considered that it had reached less than 20% of its potential and could be a mega-brand, with its youthful re-casting of luxury in a more casual, sporty and fun context. In 2019, it made $700m. In this extraordinary interview – like I said in the Friday Wind Down yesterday, this is a very different conversation to the usual narrative – Biver spells out the 11 keys to his success, and how he still believes he could do it again today, with any brand. It is conducted by our new European Editor, Mike Christensen who did an absolutely sterling job. Much of the credit for Biver’s frankness and full disclosure goes to Mike! The 11 ways Jean-Claude Biver built Hublot to be a $700m mega-brand 0:26 BY SEEING THE NEED FOR A “LUXURY SWATCH” TO REDEFINE LUXURY 2:33 BY BUYING A ‘WEAK’ BRAND WITH A STRONG CONCEPT FOR A LOW PRICE 4:42 WITH GOOD HEALTH AND HEALTHY DOUBT 6:10 BY GOING AGAINST LUXURY TRADITION AND SHUNNING PRECIOUS METALS 7:44 BY WRITING A SIMPLE STRATEGY THAT… Read More

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23.10.2020
Thor Svaboe

Mass gains! Hublot are peak 2020 as they release a mechanical desk clock FOUR TIMES the size of the Meca-10 model

In Scandinavia we have a traditional saying: all good things come in threes. And, boy, does this apply to clocks in 2020. First, the Hodinkee table clock that broke the internet and brutally maimed the comments section, then the futuristic T-Rex from Massena LAB, MB&F and L’Epée. And here comes lucky number three – the Hublot Meca-10 Clock. Hublot’s impressive in-house Meca-10 movement was released four years ago, and this year made its debut in the fabulous tonneau-shaped Spirit of Big Bang, to our micro-mechanical marvelling delight. So, as an answer to your question, no, this is not a small paperweight, but the entire Meca-10 movement made four times larger, measuring 19.6cm by 18.1cm. Despite this enlargement, it fully preserves the 10-day power reserve, and original specifications – including its knock-out skeletonised movement. And, once again, the clock-masters at L’Epée are the go-to collaborators in the venture, solidifying their position alongside JLC as the masters of static timepieces. This comes in two tantalising versions (yes, still talking about a table clock here) — black PVD or satin and polished steel with transparent composite. While Hublot aren’t afraid of providing their wristwatches with large, easy to use crowns, the Hublot Meca-10 Clock… Read More

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13.10.2020
Nick Kenyon

VIDEO: The Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection exemplifies what the brand does best (and did first)

Despite being one of the most well-known and regarded watchmakers in Switzerland, Hublot is a relatively young brand when compared to its 18th and 19th century peers. Hublot was founded in 1980, a mere four decades ago. In celebration of this milestone, the brand is marking its 40th birthday with the all-new Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection, which pays appropriate tribute to the first watch to ever have Hublot on a dial. The Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection comprises three limited edition references, with 100 available in yellow gold, 200 in titanium and another 200 in black ceramic. Compared to the micro-mechanical marvels that Hublot are well known for producing in 2020, this collection is reserved, expressing a distillation of the core Hublot aesthetic that was established by founder Carlo Crocco. The crucial aspects of this aesthetic include the precious metal watch on a rubber strap (a world first in 1980), as well as the exposed case and bezel screws that are still present in many Hublot designs today. Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary collection price and availability: The Hublot Classic Fusion 40 Years Anniversary in yellow gold is AUD$35,100 and limited to 100 pieces…. Read More

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07.10.2020
James Robinson

VIDEO: The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10 King Gold with 240 hours power reserve is testosterone-drenched tech at its absolute finest

Editor’s note: As I go to post this review, something very sad just dawned on me. It’s been over three years since I’ve had a holiday as long as the power reserve of this watch. Which is 10 days. Ten. Days. Which means this watch would still be ticking after one wind upon my return from these far-too-short ‘holidays’. I digress, but that sad example goes a long way to establishing the technical credibility of this watch, and to proving the point that as soon as lockdown ends, I’m outta here for a while. Enjoy – Andrew Hublot are well known for their patented brand of boldly designed and technologically advanced watchmaking, and if there’s one watch that embodies those qualities, it’s the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10 King Gold. The barrel-inspired case measures an extroverted 45mm and is hewn from one of the brand’s in-house precious alloys in King Gold, which has an array of complex finishes. The exposed bezel screws, articulating case shape and black rubber strap all see to the fulfilment of the bold design requirement. And within this thoughtfully designed case is where the technologically advanced component is evident. Powering this warmly toned behemoth is Hublot’s manufacture Calibre… Read More

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28.09.2020
Thor Svaboe

HANDS-ON: The Hublot Meca-10 movement makes a move into the Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10 Black Magic

A dark brooding presence on the wrist is causing infatuation today, with a vast power reserve and the unexpected lightness of high-tech ceramic. The new Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10 Black Magic is a futuristic tonneau-shaped timepiece that surprises and assures you in equal measure, with its lightweight tank-like solidity and industrial fascination. A winning case for ceramics This is Hublot’s debut of their cutting-edge Meca-10 movement in the sharp contemporary shape of the Spirit of Big Bang series, with this being the darkest, almost menacing, version, Black Magic. The tonneau shape is not svelte at 45mm, with a 14.5mm thickness, but with the always surprising lightness of ceramic, coupled with the embrace of Hublot’s wide, soft rubber strap, it sits more comfortably on the wrist than should be allowed, for such a futuristic weapon of a watch. They say black is slimming, but that is relative, as this is an imposing presence on the wrist. Imposing, but with visible intelligence, too, care of the micro-engineering of the Meca-10 movement. The smooth surface of the ceramic and the intricate details of the watch means that, like me, you will find yourself taking it off the wrist for no other… Read More

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