Hublot

Brand history

Founded 1980 in Nyon (Canton Vaud) by Carlo Crocco. Jean-Claude Biver revived the brand in 2004 and launched the Big Bang in 2005, establishing the Art of Fusion platform combining precious metals with rubber, titanium, carbon, and ceramic. LVMH acquired Hublot in 2008. The Nyon manufacture produces in-house movements including the UNICO flyback chronograph caliber.

Founded 1980 in Nyon, Switzerland, by Carlo Crocco, who combined a gold case with a natural rubber strap, a combination previously considered mismatched, and named the watch "Hublot" (the French word for porthole). The brand was acquired by Jean-Claude Biver in 2004, who relaunched it with the "Art of Fusion" philosophy: bonding unexpected materials (18k gold, ceramic, carbon, sapphire, King Gold) in cases whose visual weight and material complexity are the primary statement. LVMH acquired Hublot in 2008. The Big Bang (2005) is the brand's identity-defining reference, a multi-material case with a visible movement, sub-dials at four positions, and an abundance of screws on the bezel. The Classic Fusion is the dresser alternative. The honest assessment: Hublot is extremely polarising in the collector trade, the brand excels at generating cultural visibility and celebrity association but is under-regarded for movement depth (most movements are Sellita-base with BNB/Hublot modifications). Buyers who respond to Hublot's visual language tend to be buying design and brand statement rather than horological depth.