[KJ] Hi Ricardo, thanks for taking the time to share the inside scoop on your latest novelties that launched this Watches and Wonders. Can you tell us more about what’s new?
[RG] The latest collection that we’ve just launched at Watches & Wonders is a perfect representation of the Art of Fusion: Materials, Movement and Design. We have released several references with the in-house chronograph Unico movement. Each piece in a unique material: sapphire, ceramic or magic gold and shows our mastery of materials. The main focus of the booth was also centred around our in-house chronograph. We also presented several novelties in the Big Bang, a new Manufacture Piece and have widened our range of Classic Fusion models in 29mm.
[KJ] At Hublot, you love to push the boundaries of watchmaking – tell us more about The Big Bang MP 11 new sapphire edition.
[RG] The MP-11 is a unique manufacture movement piece which combines our mastery of coloured sapphire with the ingenuity of our Manufacture Piece movements. We are presenting an entirely new sapphire colour: water blue. Our manufacture is always looking new ways to innovate in terms of materials, and by presenting a new sapphire colour, a world first, we position ourselves as a leader in coloured sapphire.
[KJ] Ceramic is a material that you use frequently in your collections, is there any specific reason why you choose ceramic? Does it relate to how you can play with color such as your new release, the Big Bang Unico Orange Ceramic?
[RG] Ceramic is a material that Hublot has mastered over the years. We were the first brand to bring vivid colour ceramic to the market with the Big Bang Unico Red Magic in 2018. From then, we brought yellow ceramic, blue, and have gone on to create Magic Gold, a special unscratchable 18K gold and ceramic alloy. We hold patents on all of these innovations and are proud of the R&D that has gone through every step. Hublot can pride itself on being the only luxury watch manufacturer that has mastered the art of vivid colour ceramic. Today, we unveil yet another variation: orange ceramic. This is unique to the brand, and a colour that won’t bee seen at any other watch maker. Ceramic is part of our DNA.
[KJ] Are there any other novelties that stand out for you this year? Tell us more.
[RG] We started off the year with a true stand-out piece, our MP-10 that was launched at LVMH Watch Week in Miami. What is so unique about this watch is that it reinvents the self-winding system through vertical weights. By displaying the hours, minutes and the power reserve in a totally new way, we are able to achieve a singular watch that captures the philosophy of innovation we value at Hublot. It is unique, different and first. With no boundaries in terms of design, movement or materials. It showcases the best of the manufacture.
Other novelties from Watches & Wonders would include:
The Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu in Sapphire represents the Art of Fusion, between the world of Maxime Plescia Buchi’s tattoo art and Hublot’s mastery of sapphire, offering a complex geometrically chiseled sapphire case. A fusion of unique design and unique material.
The Big Bang Integrated Time Only in 38mm is a modern reinterpretation of the iconic Big Bang.
The Classic Fusion 29mm takes the iconic design of the Classic Fusion and offers a new, smaller size.
[KJ] Tell us more about your creation process. How long does it take to bring a new time
piece to life?
[RG] It all depends on the model of course. This can take anywhere from a few months to several years depending on the complexity of the watch. The MP-10 for instance took almost 5 years of research and development to test and perfect the highly complex movement. From inception to final design, this can take many years of trial and error. There exists an important gap between the first idea and the final product. Imagining a piece and assembling the piece are very different tasks.
[KJ] We all want to know, what’s your all-time favourite Hublot timepiece and why?
[RG] The Hublot Big Bang All Black from 2006. 18 years ago, together with Jean-Claude Biver, we shocked the watch industry by launching a concept of doing an all-black watch where you cannot really see the time. Actually it is not true to say that you cannot read the time on the watch, as if you position the watch correctly in the good lightning, you can see the hands and therefore read the time!
In 2006, Hublot created a dichotomy, as the Maison was adored by some and criticized by others for this “out of the box” idea of combining a black case and a black dial with pitch-black hands. It was a thunderstorm that we created, people said that we would do anything for getting attention on the brand. But today we all know that the first All Black watch was much more than just an ephemeral fashion statement: black-on-black has become a constant feature in the watch world. I am so proud to have been part of this journey in creating a milestone for the industry!
[KJ] What’s next for Hublot as a brand? Anything exciting plans in the works that you can share with us?
[RG] 2024 will continue to be an exciting year for Hublot – we will be on the pitch at the Euro 2024 in Germany watching every moment of the tournament. We are honoured to have Kylian Mbappe as the face of our campaign and to embody Hublot’s love for football. Hublot loves Football and this will be our fifth time joining UEFA for the UEFA EURO! We will also have exciting announcements with our Ambassador Daniel Arsham.
