A brand of luxury watches that is endorsed by the world’s fastest man- Usain Bolt, the history of Hublot watches is as fascinating as the sprinter himself. Although a Swiss brand, the term Hublot is a French equivalent of the word “porthole”. Founded only in 1980, Hublot timepieces are new age luxury watches that exudes exuberance in every sense of the word. The watch has many contemporary elements, for instance they were the first brand ever to make straps out of natural rubber.
Although this new element took a research of nearly 3 years to come into production, the watch opened to a lukewarm response at the 1980 Basel world fair. However, eventually the watch proved to one of the most commercially viable pieces that made a profit of $ 2 million in the first year itself.
As an underdog in the world of timepieces, Hublot in the last decade has carved a niche market with several coveted dealer like Zimson constantly showcasing some of the celebrated collections from the brand. Starting with the “Big Bang” chronographer that was unveiled at the Baselworld 2005 for the first time, the watch has won many accolades across the globe. It has received the coveted “2005 Design Prize” at the “Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix”. The watch also won the “Sports Watch Prize” in Japan and also the “Best Oversized Watch” prize in Bahrain.
Overtime this Hublot watch has undergone major innovation and over haul since then. As one of the most celebrated time piece from the brand, at this year’s Baselworld, Hublot showcased Hublot Big Bang MECA-10. A real treat for the Big Bangs fans, the watch is a 10th anniversary tribute to the “all black” watch concept. Made our of natural titanium case, this limited edition watch has two versions with a sand-blasted texture finish and manually wound movement. The skeleton design of the timepiece is a pure blend of aesthetic and mechanics, creating an interesting mix which is visually delightful. Although coming with a hefty price tag of $19,900 and $22,000 respectively, the watch personifies class, taste and luxury.
In tune with eclectic mode, Hublot’s MP-05 LaFerrari superwatch, christened Laferrari is yet another creation from the house of Hublot that gained lot of attention in recent time. Made from sapphire crystal with a unique design that resembles the contours of the Ferrari supercar appeases both car lovers and watch enthusiasts in the same breath. Unveiled to the world in 2013, the watch symbolizes indulgence and luxury with a price tag of $300,000. Besides a unique design, the signature feature of the watch is the record setting of 50 days power reserve. A limited edition watch with only 50 pieces at the time of production, the watch in many ways supersedes the car itself. Yet another timepiece that many from the watch world feel is the inspired from the sapphire crystal MP-05 La Ferrari is the all new “transparent” rendition of the classic Big Bang UNICO. This move from all black to all white is indeed interesting giving a clear insight into the inner working of the watch.
These notable timepieces from the brand has enabled Hublot luxury watches to position itself as a name that stands with innovation and exclusivity. At the same time they have remained in the public eye by sponsoring some of the greatest sporting events. In the year 2008, Hublot signed a contract with the English football club Manchester United. The staggering deal worth £ 4 million a year drew a lot of attention and publicity that encouraged the enterprise to further strikes deals with other top football clubs from other parts of the world. Besides football, the brand is also associated with other sporting events like athletics, Grand Prix, Diving, Baseball and cricket.
Hublot has a global presence with as many as 50 boutiques. In Feb 2007, the brand opened its first store in Paris, the capital of fashion houses. The brand is also associated with some of the biggest names in the history of the sporting world. Some notable names being Diego Maradona and Jamaican Sprinter, Usain Bolt and Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma. From the world of cinema and entertainment, a Hublot watch has been endorsed by world famous Chinese star Jet Li. All in all, Hublot stands true to its name, just like the pothole windows of vintage train, the watch with its true design and innovation provides a window into its ingenuity and superior engineering.
