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HANDS ON: The Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Moonphase

Felix Scholz

Updated with live pictures.

First impressions:

Hublot are known for their über-contemporary and tool-like watches. So what will a Hublot look like with the typically classical and elegant moonphase complication? Short answer – pretty nice, actually.

The Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Moonphase, which we’ll just be calling the Aerofusion Moonphase from now for economy, on is a sleek looking watch. It’s also a first for Hublot. Not because of the porthole shaped 45mm case which is at the heart of the brand’s DNA, nor as a result of the sapphire dial that showcases the complete calendar movement in all its glory.

Believe it or not, the inclusion of a moonphase is virgin territory for this well established brand. But being Hublot they couldn’t have the stereotypical smiling moon in a starry midnight sky. Rather, they’ve given us a large portal, around which two topographically accurate moons rotate every 29.5 days. The actual phase of the moon is read through the clear aperture, but the second moon isn’t completely hidden from view, instead it is partially obscured behind frosted sapphire. This is a contemporary take on a moonphase, and from press shots at least it appears to dominate the dial, which feels appropriate for Hublot, where – to almost quote Anchorman – boldness is the order of the day, every day.

The Aerofusion Moonphase is available in either titanium or Hublot’s proprietary King Gold (which is regular red gold with a dash of platinum added in). While the King Gold version looks good, we actually think the cold, monochrome tones of the titanium version might be the winner here. We’ll be in a position to confirm in a matter of weeks.

And lastly, for the OCD-inclined among you who noticed that the screws on the bezel don’t all align neatly like many other similar watches, that’s because they’re not just cosmetic add-ons to give it “an industrial feel”, they’re actually holding the watch together.