For all of us in the watch world, early January is a time of excitement as brands start showcasing their new launches for the coming year. This week is LVMH Watch Week, the first big event on the watch calendar, with Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Zenith and Hublot unveiling their latest creations. WorldTempus was invited to Hublot headquarters in Nyon just before the holidays for a taste of what awaits us. Here is a selection of what caught our attention.
Hublot Classic Fusion Original
The famous 1980 Hublot Classic Fusion makes a comeback this year in a new collection that takes all the design codes of the original and tweaks them to make it as alluring a watch today as it was in the 80s. The design of this wristwatch was revolutionary at the time of its launch as it combined precious materials with a rubber strap, something unheard of at that time.
Classic Fusion Original © Hublot
This new version is available in yellow gold, titanium or black ceramic and is available in different case sizes: 42 mm, 38 mm or 33 mm. Combining a black lacquered dial, faceted hands and six iconic screws on the bezel, the purity of the design remains true to the original. Only the logo has evolved over the years to become more contemporary. This new timeless classic is produced in a limited edition of 500 pieces per model and offers the perfect choice for watch enthusiasts looking for a refined and sporty timepiece that will never go out of style.
Hublot Big Bang Unico Sorai
Hublot has been supporting rhino conservation through the Sorai organization since 2019. There are only 27,000 rhinos left in the world, so they are critically endangered. Sorai – an acronym for Save Our Rhino Africa India – was created by Hublot ambassador and former international cricket star, Kevin Pietersen, who made the connection between the watch brand and this important cause.
Big Bang Unique Sorai © Hublot
This year marks the completion of the third limited edition watch for philanthropic purposes, with part of the proceeds from the sale of the 100 pieces going to the organization to help it in its work: installation of thermal cameras, installation of GPS trackers , support for orphanages and sanctuaries for rhinos, help for rangers who protect rhinos from poachers.
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Sorai is housed in a rhinoceros gray ceramic case with an openworked dial adorned with the colors of a sunset over the African and Indian plains. The significance of the colors in this sunset is a reminder that this is the most dangerous time of day for rhinos as poachers hunt them for their horns (a rhino horn is worth more than gold per kilo). The watch features Hublot’s One-Click interchangeable strap system with a choice of either a gray fabric strap with Velcro closure or a camouflage-style black, purple and orange rubber strap.
Big Bang Unique Sorai © Hublot
Hublot Big Bang Rainbow Editions
Hublot’s love for rainbows continues to captivate in 2023 with these two different new Big Bang Rainbow editions. Adorned with a river of colored precious stones in a perfect color gradation, they are paved from the case to the bezel and over the entire strap. The stones are rubies, amethysts, topazes and tsavorites, as well as pink, orange, blue and yellow sapphires, creating the full range of colors of the rainbow.
Big Bang Rainbow Editions © Hublot
The first model sports a 42mm King gold case. It is powered by the self-winding flyback chronograph movement with column wheel produced at Hublot’s Unico manufacture, while the second is a “Time-Only” version with three hands and a date. Both feature an openworked black dial to allow all the colors of the rainbow to shine through.
