Since its foundation in 1980, the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Hublot has been setting new industry standards with its exceptional design, innovative material combinations, and the highest level of craftsmanship. With his first collection, founder Carlo Crocco took a remarkable step by combining a gold case with a rubber strap – a novelty in watchmaking at the time. Hublot watches are also notable for their striking bezel with H-shaped decorative screws. The inspiration for this design was the portholes on ships. They also gave the brand its name, as the word “Hublot” is French for “porthole.” When it comes to materials, Hublot relies on precious metals like Magic Gold, a mixture of ceramic and yellow gold developed in-house. Depending on the model and reference, the brand also offers timepieces with titanium, carbon, and sapphire crystal cases. Hublot often combines these materials with rubber or textile straps. On the caliber side, exclusive in-house movements are used along with modified series calibers of Swiss origin. Hublot manufactures these movements in its workshops in Nyon, Switzerland. The same is true for all Hublot watches. Today, I’m sharing with you what I consider to be the three best Hublot watches at different price points.
Hublot Classic Fusion Titanium in 38 mm
It all starts with a model from the ever-popular Classic Fusion collection. The Classic Fusion has a sporty, elegant, and minimalist design with a slender case profile and a clearly structured dial. The Classic Fusion also features six decorative screws along the bezel. On the whole, the look of the Classic Fusion is reminiscent of Hublot models from the 1980s. Along with versatile material combinations, the manufacturer also offers the Classic Fusion in a variety of case sizes from 29 to 45 mm. One example of these is the three-hand Classic Fusion Titanium ref. 565.NX.1470.RX. The case of this variant is made of lightweight titanium and has a diameter of 38 mm. This size makes the model an ideal unisex watch. The Classic Fusion Titanium, with its matte black dial and silver applied indices, exudes understated elegance. The largely satin-brushed case and the black rubber strap, with its fine, linear structure, contribute to this effect. The Hublot Classic Fusion Titanium is powered by the caliber HUB1110. This movement is based on the Sellita SW300 and offers a power reserve of 42 hours. The timepiece is fitted with a sapphire crystal and is water-resistant to 50 meters (5 bar, 164 ft). In like-new condition, the Classic Fusion Titanium (ref. 565.NX.1470.RX) costs around $6,600 on Chrono24, while a pre-owned specimen will set you back about $3,700. The official MSRP is $7,600. If for some reason you find the 38-mm model unsuitable, the watch is also available in sizes of 29, 33, 42, and 45 mm. While the first two variants are powered by quartz calibers, the caliber HUB1110 sets the pace in the two larger timepieces.
Hublot Big Bang Unico Black Magic 42 mm
Watches from the Hublot Big Bang Unico collection are known for their striking designs, innovative materials, and complex in-house movements with a flyback chronograph function. Hublot also allows each wearer of a Big Bang Unico to see the finely crafted movements inside, thanks to a skeletonized dial. Material options for the Big Bang Unico include titanium, carbon, and the brand’s own “Magic Gold.” The six H-shaped screws that adorn the bezel of every Big Bang Unico are, as always, a matter of course. All in all, the Big Bang Unico collection is a combination of precision and high-end mechanics with striking, modern designs. For this list, I’ve selected the Big Bang Unico Black Magic 42 mm ref. 441.CI.1171.RX. The overall look of this watch is impressive, to say the least. The case, bezel, and strap are all black. Lighter components appear only on the indices, hands, and parts of the movement. The case and bezel are made of bead-blasted and polished black ceramic. A textured black rubber strap with a black ceramic clasp completes the dark design of this particular Big Bang Unico. The watch is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft), making it suitable for swimming. It’s powered by the automatic in-house caliber HUB1280 with a column-wheel and a flyback chronograph function. The movement itself is made up of 354 individual components and boasts a 72-hour power reserve. The movement is visible through a sapphire crystal case back. The Big Bang Unico Black Magic 42 mm (ref. 441.CI.1171.RX) changes hands for roughly $19,600 in unworn condition. Used examples are significantly more affordable, and demand an investment of around $14,000. Hublot’s official MSRP is $23,000.
Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10 King Gold
The third and last remarkable Hublot watch on my list is the Spirit Of Big Bang Meca-10 King Gold ref. 614.OX.1180.RX. The designation “Meca-10” refers to the in-house caliber HUB1233, which has a power reserve of 10 days. The skeletonized, hand-wound movement is made up of 223 individual parts and features a distinctive power reserve indicator between 2 and 4 o’clock on the dial. The case of the Spirit Of Big Bang Meca-10 is polished and largely satin-brushed, and made of a proprietary alloy called “King Gold.” This material is characterized by an intense rose gold tone that appears warmer and richer than traditional 18-karat rose gold. To achieve this effect, Hublot uses an alloy with a high copper content and a small amount of platinum. The platinum stabilizes the color and ensures that the rose gold retains its intense hue. Measuring 45 mm in diameter, this timepiece was designed for men with strong wrists and a strong need to stand out in a crowd. The watch is water-resistant to 50 m (5 bar, 164 ft). So, while not suitable for swimming, it can easily handle most everyday situations. The Spirit Of Big Bang Meca-10 King Gold comes on a black rubber strap with a folding clasp made of King Gold and black-plated titanium. Plan to shell out just over $40,000 for a Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 King Gold in mint condition. You can save over $10,000 by buying a used model. Hublot’s recommended retail price is $48,200.
