Hublot releases new links to classic and unconventional watchmaking

In an effort to bridge the traditional watchmaking and avant-garde techniques, Hublot has unveiled magnificent creations that cement it at the forefront of research into the latest hi-tech materials and guardian of traditional expertise during an exclusive preview in conjunction with the SIHH and during its participation at Baselworld this 2016

Acting as a bridge between a past that bears the traces of the most talented watchmakers and a future nourished on visionary artistic concepts, Hublot has proven again and again that it places no limit to innovation. Under the leadership of its visionary leaders, Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of the Board, Hublot, and President of the Watches Division, LVMH Group, and Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, the unique Swiss watchmaking house continues to develop its young legacy into an unstoppable force in the industry. Through research, the manufacture of new materials and even collaborations at a global level such as the FIFA World Cup™ and Ferrari, Hublot represents the "Art of Fusion", between traditional watchmaking and avant-garde techniques, between the past and the future.

Since the arrival of Biver to the company and the release of the first Big Bang timepiece in 2005, Hublot has been branded a real success story with an increasing roster of iconic collections including Big Bang, King Power and Classic Fusion as well as growing into more than 70 exclusive stores in 39 countries at the most prestigious addresses around the world. From then on, with its avant-garde philosophy and forward looking craftsmanship, Hublot carries on adding great watchmaking complications year after year.

From establishing its genius use of sapphire to providing tribute for watchmaking and football, the Hublot 2016 collection is indeed worth the discovery of the watch connoisseurs.

Big Bang Unico Sapphire All Black
Ten years after the launch of the All Black concept, and to mark the anniversary of this current "must-have" trend, Hublot has used the Big Bang Unico Sapphire All Black to reinterpret the iconic all black style through a fusion of materials, textures and finishes. Here, it combines the visible and the invisible in a piece which expresses the very essence of its All Black concept.

Transcending the materials used in its creation, the Big Bang Unico Sapphire All Black is crafted from blocks of sapphire crystal – sapphire that has been coated with metal. Enhanced by black, this sapphire maintains its transparent properties in a subtle balancing act. Transparency combined with skeleton work allows the workings of the Unico manufacture movement to be laid bare. This complete visibility means that the column wheel positioned on the dial side is now no longer the only feature of the movement which can be seen. Even the strap combines transparency with the signature all black style.

Big Bang Unico Italia Independent
When the two brands, Hublot and Italia Independent, ramped up their search for offbeat materials and avant-garde style, the result is a bold, outstanding timepiece: The Big Bang Unico Italia Independent. The second collaboration between the two paves the way for an on-trend chic camouflage piece created for stylish heroes. With this second creation, Hublot is building on its technical mastery of Texalium®1 and the colour possibilities it offers. It retains the strength and lightness of carbon whilst offering the infinite spectrum of colours and eye-catching metallic effects of Texalium®.

The Big Bang Unico Italia Independent is available in an artistic range of shades. The blue, green or black versions are released as a limited edition of 500, 250 and 250 pieces respectively. Housing the UNICO manufacture movement, this 45mm chronograph is paired with a "One Click" interchangeable bracelet. It also comes with two straps: One with the famous chino fabric, and the other features the innovative SuperFabric®, an ultra-high performance "armoured" fabric which is strong yet flexible and light.

In line with this launch, Italia Independent is introducing a Limited Edition sunglass collection that is inspired by the watches themselves. The glasses of this collection are lightweight and resistant, underlining the know-how of the two companies.

Classic Fusion Berluti
Hublot dressed in Berluti – Berluti’s emblematic Venezia leather and its famous patina, partnered with Hublot’s innovation in watchmaking creates The Classic Fusion. The fusion of expertise results to this limited edition available in two models whose straps and dials reveal the sheer skill of the Berluti House.

Limited to 500 pieces, the first model is the Classic Fusion Berluti All Black. In its eminent monochrome, jet-black style, this new collector's edition has a nero grigio Venezia handmade strap inspired by the art of scarification, marked with the signature "Gaspard" incision of the Berluti House. The 45mm black ceramic case contains a HUB1100 mechanical self-winding movement with a nero grigio leather dial signed by Berluti.

Meanwhile, the straps of the 250 model limited edition Classic Fusion Berluti Scritto are expertly carved from Venezia Scritto calf leather with writing inspired by 18th century calligraphy. The bold artist Olga Berluti, was enthused to present a homage to this calligraphy engraved in leather. The tobacco bis hued leather that also gilds the dial, strikes the perfect poise with the warm nuances of Hublot's King Gold.

The Classic Fusion straps have been created via the same dedicated procedure as Berluti shoe leather: from patterning, shaping, cutting and assembling the pieces of leather, to the mounting of the strap and lacquering.

Big Bang MECA-10
With the Big Bang MECA-10, Hublot has created a new manufacture movement. Entirely conceived and developed in house, the HUB1201 is a skeleton mechanical movement with manual winding and a 10-day power reserve. There are 223 components, straight and curved perforated metallic strips, crown gears, racks, plates, axes, and ratchet wheels. Perfecting the Meccano style, the regulating organ is visible beneath the dial at 7 o’clock. In black PVD—a dedication to 10 years of the All Black concept—its endings have had to adapt to the geometry and hardness of the bridges.

The Big Bang MECA-10 All Black is an addition to the models that are celebrating the 10 years of Hublot’s monochrome trend. Limited to 500 pieces, it features a 45mm diameter case and bezel in black ceramic alternating between micro-blasted and polished effects. It comes with a matt black skeleton dial and a sapphire glass back enabling a double-sided vision of the new HUB1201 manufacture movement. As for the “One Click” strap, it comes clad in ribbed black natural rubber.