Hublot Classic Fusion Original
This year, Hublot revisits the watch that started it all: the Classique Automatique. In 1980, the Italian entrepreneur and brand founder Carlo Crocco had the audacity to pair a precious yellow-gold case with a sporty rubber strap in black that was infused with a subtle vanilla scent. The bezel of its round case was secured with 12 screws that served as hour markers. With its black-lacquer dial, it had a sleek, minimalist vibe inspired by a ship’s porthole, which translates to hublot in French.
The 2023 Classic Fusion Original range pays tribute to that groundbreaker with some subtle changes of its own. Most notably, six screws now attach the bezel, keeping with a design signature introduced by watch industry legend Jean-Claude Biver when he took over Hublot in 2004. Other subtle differences mark the new watch, which also follow the brand’s tradition of disruption. Hublot has also introduced such avant-garde materials as ceramic-infused Magic Gold and a range of colored ceramics and sapphire crystal. A new translucent, neon-yellow Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic is made of SAXEM, an acronym for “Sapphire Aluminum Oxide and Rare Earth Mineral,” which was initially developed in the field of satellite technology.
In that vein, Hublot didn’t limit the Classic Fusion Original to the retro yellow gold with which it originated. Options now include lightweight titanium and slick “Black Magic” ceramic models. The choice in size has also expanded, with 33-mm, 38-mm and 42-mm versions. The entire collection ranges in price from $6,500 for the 33-mm titanium version up to $24,100 for the 42-mm in yellow gold.
Powering the 38-mm and 42-mm models is Hublot’s automatic MHUB1110 movement with a power reserve of about 42 hours. A clear sapphire, crystal case showcases the mechanism on the back. The petite 33-mm range is outfitted with quartz movements for convenience.
While Hublot has radically changed over the past 40 years, the brand’s evolution remains tethered to the rebellious spirit of its origin story. With the Classic Fusion Original, the Swiss brand takes us back to the future.
