Classic Fusion: Hublot's Classic Luxury Watch

The Classic Fusion is a bit different in comparison to most Hublot watches. The series is more reserved than the timepieces this Swiss manufacturer usually produces, but still retains the brand's characteristic design elements.

Highlights
            A classic Hublot watch
Tourbillon and minute repeater
Maximum 8-day power reserve
Titanium, ceramic, and red gold cases
Natural rubber strap

The Complement to the Big Bang

Hublot is a rising star in the international watch scene. However, not everyone is a fan of the Big Bang's extravagant design. No problem, though, as the Classic Fusion is a step in a different direction for Hublot. It has a restrained design while remaining true to the look of the brand. The Classic Fusion has a wide bezel with visible screws, both characteristic features of Hublot watches. Fans of intricate calibers will also find some of the watches in this series appealing.

The Classic Fusion premiered at Baselworld 2010, five years after the Big Bang was introduced. The Big Bang series catapulted the Nyon-based manufacturer from a somewhat forgotten company to a first-rate Swiss luxury manufacturer. However, because the Big Bang's design is a bit of an acquired taste, Hublot decided to offer a more traditional watch. The result was the Classic Fusion. The fusion concept of bringing very different materials together in one watch has been an important design element since the company's beginnings in 1980. One of the first examples of this fusion concept was a watch with a gold case and rubber strap.

Men's and Women's Watches from 33 mm to 45 mm

Since then, the manufacturer has added many materials to their portfolio. The Classic Fusion is offered in gold, titanium, and ceramic. The sizes vary; it's available in 33, 38, 42, and 45 mm. The collection is unisex, although not all variants are produced in each size. The Power Reserve, for example, is only available in the 45-mm version. Standard versions with three central hands and a date display at three o'clock are normally produced in more sizes.

Hublot offers the watch as a 42-mm or 45-mm chronograph with a mostly closed dial. The watch has two subdials, one at three o'clock and the other at nine o'clock. The date display is located at six o'clock.

Moon Dial

Also available in 42 and 45 mm is the Aerofusion Moonphase. Like its name suggests, it has a moon phase complication. It also has a skeletonized dial and movement, giving you a wonderful view of the watch's internal mechanics.

The Ultra Thin (42 mm and 45 mm) has been part of the Classic Fusion since 2012. It doesn't have any complications or a date display, just three hands. The seconds hand is decentralized, placed at seven o'clock. The Ultra Thin is exceptionally thin, coming in at just 2.9 mm. It has a skeletonized movement and dial.

You can also view the movement through the dial of the chronograph version of the Aerofusion. This watch is only available in the 45-mm size, as is the Power Reserve. The Power Reserve features a power reserve display on the top left of the dial as well as a small seconds at six o'clock. The Power Reserve's dial is not skeletonized.

Classic Fusion with a Bang

The Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton and Minute Repeater models both feature a 45-mm case. The Tourbillon Chronograph Skeleton has an impressive tourbillon, while the Minute Repeater chimes the time.

Which Classic Fusion Should I Buy?

Since its introduction in 2010, the Classic Fusion has developed into one of the most popular Hublot models. Are you looking for a watch that has this brand's distinctive design, but is a bit more restrained than the Big Bang? Then the Classic Fusion could be the watch for you.

A new, entry-level quartz 33-mm women's watch with a titanium case can be purchased for around 3,500 euros. A ceramic case raises the price by about 1,000 euros.

You should reserve around 5,000 euros for a new automatic Classic Fusion with a diameter of either 38 or 42 mm. If it's a chronograph with a titanium case, then the price will range between 7,500 - 8,000 euros. Ceramic watches are much more expensive.

The skeletonized Aero models cost over 10,000 euros. A new titanium Aerofusion Moonphase with a moon phase display costs around 12,000 euros.

A red gold case increases the price again. A simple three-hand watch costs between 17,000 - 20,000 euros. A red gold Aerofusion chronograph with a skeletonized dial and movement will cost you around 35,500 euros.

The price rises to over 50,000 euros if a Classic Fusion features a tourbillon caliber. Red gold or ceramic Classic Fusions with tourbillons can also be quite expensive; 75,000 euros or more is not unheard of. Models with a tourbillon and minute repeater are at the top of the price scale. Such watches normally cost 160,000 - 170,000 euros when made of titanium. The Tourbillon Cathedral Minute Repeater has a red gold case, propelling its price to over 200,000 euros.

The porthole design with a screw-down bezel is not only on the Classic Fusion, but also on the Royal Oak from Audemars Piguet. The Royal Oak was designed by Gérald Genta in 1972 and was the first sports watch to feature such a look.

Classic Fusion Calibers

Hublot uses calibers under their own name in the Classic Fusion. Some movements are originally from other manufacturers that specialize in calibers. For example, the HUB1112 is based on the Sellita SW300-1. The HUB1143 is an ETA 2892-A2 with a chronograph module from Dubois-Dépraz. The HUB6310 and the HUB8001, on the other hand, are in-house calibers with a tourbillon. The 1602 powers the Classic Fusion Power Reserve, which has an impressive 8-day power reserve.