Hands-on: Hublot Classic Fusion Original 33mm

Text/photo: Mia Litström

A sober and elegant look is not the first thing you think of when you talk about Hublot. The majority of their watches assert themselves, are substantial and are clearly visible both when it comes to design, colour and shape. But it was not like that from the beginning. Hublot is a young brand that was founded in 1980 and the first model that was launched in the 1980s was groundbreaking. Now they are doing a relaunch of the model and we at Eqotime have had a squeeze and a feel of the new Classic Fusion Original which is a tribute to their very first model. 

To launch a sports watch with a rubber bracelet in the 80s was regarded as crazy and really daring. An Italian man by the name of Carlo Crocco wanted to do something completely different, he believed strongly in his idea and did not give up! He wanted to design a watch with a case that is reminiscent of a valve on a boat and, along with that, a bracelet in rubber. And he succeeded, he became the first in the world to present a sports watch in precious metal with a rubber bracelet at the watch fair of the time in Basel in 1980. At the start the company was called MDM Geneve and the watch model he had fought for was given the name "The Hublot" which means porthole in French. Later the company changed to being called Hublot and Carlo Crocco worked on with the company. In 2004 Mr Jean-Claude Biver went into the company and built up the then slightly sleepy brand and in 2008 Biver took the decision to sell the company to LVMH. 

The Classic Fusion model has existed for some time in several variants but then has indices on the dial, the new one has just as clean a dial as the original with only a black dial with a date window at 3 o'clock and the company name with the logo. When the model had its 40th anniversary this variant was developed as a tribute in the same material as the new one but only in the 45 mm size and the models were limited. That is why it is extra fun with the new ones which are not limited and are available in three sizes, 33, 38 and 42 mm with a case in gold, black ceramic or titanium. You can take a look at the whole model range here.

The one we have got to feel is the 33 mm in titanium and details that are appreciated on that one in particular are above all that it is wonderfully light thanks to the case being in titanium. The combination of polished and satin-brushed metal also does a lot for the whole. Details that are not visible but that are also appreciated are that on the back where the bracelet is attached the surface is curved which makes it lie comfortably on the wrist, there it says "Titanium" in small text, the same on the inside of the folding clasp. 

The bezel ring is wider than the original's and it does not have as many screws on the ring. The first one that was launched had a case in gold and the screws were 12 smaller screws in titanium that stuck up a little bit and which made you see more clearly that the inspiration comes from a boat window. The new one instead has six that are integrated into the bezel ring and they are bigger and H-shaped which is more in line with their other models. Also nice is that at the end of the seconds hand it finishes with Hublot's logo.  

In the 80s this was a watch that stood out from the crowd but over time it has gone in the elegant direction with its black dial and its more understated style which is, if you compare it with the company's other models which are instead fantastically colourful. The bracelet in rubber is also thinner than many other rubber bracelets and being entirely in black makes the watch even more clean-lined. It suits both everyday and more dressed-up occasions and it never becomes wrong precisely because it is so much its own in its style. The silvery colour of the titanium goes well together with the black and that also makes it easy to wear with sober as well as with colourful outfits. 

In summary I fall for this model precisely because of the history. It was a "beast" in appearance when it came, awoke scepticism and stirred the pot and created a trend; sports watches with rubber bracelets. It is the foundation of Hublot, and just that is delicious in itself. Then, purely practically, it is good that it is available in several sizes which makes it suit both women and men excellently. And it is available at several price levels where the 33 mm has a quartz movement but is available in all materials, gold, black ceramic and titanium. The 38 and 42 mm sizes have automatic movements. This is also a watch that is worn by people who are genuinely interested in watches and their history and design language. It is not the most obvious, simple choice, it is not only extremely good-looking, it also signals how deep an interest the wearer has in watches. 

Technical specifications

Brand: Hublot
Model: Classic Fusion Original Titanium 
Ref. no: 581.NX.1470.RX

Diameter: 33 mm
Thickness: 8,50 mm
Case material: Titanium
Dial: Black
Bracelet: Rubber with folding clasp in titanium

Movement: Quartz
Water resistance: 50 m

Price: 6,800 euro

For more information, visit Hublot's website