Hublot

Hublot is a Swiss luxury watch brand established in 1980 by Italian entrepreneur and watch designer Carlo Crocco. The company began as MDM Genève and introduced a watch named Hublot, a reference to the French word for a ship's porthole. Its defining early design paired a precious-metal case with a natural-rubber strap, an unusual combination at the time that became central to the brand's identity and later informed its “Art of Fusion” positioning. The brand gained early attention after its presentation at the 1980 Basel Watch Fair. Its design language deliberately contrasted traditional luxury-watch conventions by combining gold and other high-value materials with rubber, a material associated more commonly with industrial and sporting applications. Hublot consequently developed a reputation for modern, conspicuous, and technically experimental luxury rather than understated classical watchmaking. Carlo Crocco later sought an executive capable of scaling the business while he devoted substantial time to design work and charitable activities. Jean-Claude Biver joined Hublot in 2004 after leading Omega's division within Swatch Group. Under Biver, the company introduced the Big Bang chronograph at Basel in 2005. The collection broadened Hublot's appeal, strengthened its sports-luxury image, and became the foundation for a major expansion in visibility, retail distribution, and product development. Hublot's principal collections include Big Bang and Classic Fusion. Big Bang watches generally emphasize large cases, chronograph functionality, layered construction, and combinations of ceramic, titanium, carbon, sapphire, gold, and rubber. Classic Fusion presents a comparatively streamlined interpretation of Hublot's design language while retaining the brand's characteristic case architecture and material contrasts. The company also produces high-complication watches and proprietary movements, including the Unico chronograph, Meca-10 movement, tourbillons, and other limited or technically specialized mechanisms. Manufacturing capabilities expanded with the opening of Hublot's first manufacture in Nyon in 2009. The facility supported the brand's movement development, component production, assembly, and research into materials and complications. Hublot has also used technology in its authentication and anti-counterfeiting efforts; in 2009 it presented a WISeKey-based system using a smart card and server verification process. LVMH announced the acquisition of Hublot in April 2008. The brand became part of the group's watch portfolio alongside TAG Heuer and other luxury businesses. Under LVMH ownership, Hublot continued to operate as a distinct Swiss watch house while expanding boutiques, international distribution, partnerships, and event-based marketing. By 2019, the brand reported a network of 169 boutiques across multiple countries. Hublot's marketing strategy is strongly connected to football, Formula 1, basketball, cricket, baseball, skiing, snowboarding, and other globally visible sports. Partnerships and timekeeping appointments have included Manchester United, Ferrari, FIFA World Cup tournaments, UEFA competitions, Formula 1, the Premier League, the ICC Cricket World Cup, and the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat. The brand also collaborates with artists, designers, and cultural institutions, including Takashi Murakami, Samuel Ross, and projects related to the Antikythera mechanism. Today, Hublot operates as an internationally distributed LVMH watch brand positioned at the intersection of haute horlogerie, sport, contemporary art, and material experimentation. Its competitive identity rests on recognizable case forms, high-contrast materials, limited editions, technical movements, celebrity and sporting partnerships, and a willingness to treat rubber, ceramic, sapphire, and composite materials as part of luxury-watch design rather than merely functional components.

Hublot was founded in 1980 by Carlo Crocco, an Italian entrepreneur from the Binda family, and was initially operated through MDM Genève. Crocco designed a watch inspired by a ship's porthole and gave it the name Hublot. The original model combined a precious-metal case with a natural-rubber strap, creating a distinctive contrast between traditional luxury materials and a practical, resilient modern material. The concept was introduced at the 1980 Basel Watch Fair and helped establish the brand's early identity. The rubber strap was important not only as a functional component but also as a design statement. At a time when many luxury watches emphasized conventional metal bracelets and leather straps, Hublot presented rubber as compatible with high-end watchmaking. This approach later evolved into the brand's broader “Art of Fusion” philosophy, which brought together gold, ceramic, carbon, titanium, sapphire, rubber, and other materials. Crocco eventually looked for an executive who could develop the company commercially while he focused on design and charitable work through the Hand-in-Hand Foundation. Jean-Claude Biver joined Hublot in 2004 after his work with Omega. His most consequential early initiative was the creation of the Big Bang collection, unveiled in 2005. The large, layered chronograph gave Hublot a more assertive visual identity and connected the brand to sport, motorsport, and contemporary luxury culture. The collection received several watch-industry awards and became the company's principal growth engine. Hublot expanded its retail presence during this period. Its first mono-brand boutique opened in Paris in 2007, followed later that year by a store at the Hôtel Byblos in Saint-Tropez. The company subsequently developed a global boutique network and broadened its presence in major luxury markets. In 2008, LVMH announced that it had acquired Hublot from Crocco. The acquisition integrated Hublot into one of the world's largest luxury groups while leaving the brand with a distinct product, design, and communications identity. The company strengthened its industrial capabilities with the opening of its first manufacture in Nyon in 2009. This supported the development and production of proprietary movements and complicated watches. Hublot's technical portfolio came to include the Unico chronograph movement, the Meca-10 movement, tourbillons, and other high-complication mechanisms. The brand also pursued anti-counterfeiting technology, presenting a WISeKey authentication system at BaselWorld in 2009. Hublot's expansion has been accompanied by an unusually broad partnership strategy for a watchmaker. It has worked with football clubs, international football competitions, Formula 1, Ferrari, basketball teams, cricket and baseball organizations, skiing events, cultural institutions, artists, and designers. These relationships reinforce the brand's association with performance, visibility, exclusivity, and contemporary culture. Notable ambassadors and collaborators have included Kylian Mbappé, Usain Bolt, Novak Djokovic, Takashi Murakami, and Samuel Ross. Product development has remained centered on Big Bang and Classic Fusion. Big Bang emphasizes visual impact, chronographs, technical materials, and numerous limited editions. Classic Fusion offers a cleaner and more restrained interpretation of Hublot's architecture, while still using material combinations and integrated design details associated with the brand. Hublot also produces specialized divers, tourbillons, sapphire-cased watches, and collaborative editions. Hublot remains an active Swiss luxury watch brand within LVMH. Its business combines watches and movements manufactured in Switzerland with international boutiques, wholesale distribution, partnerships, brand ambassadors, and event marketing. The brand's enduring differentiation is its fusion of high horology with conspicuous contemporary design and materials that historically sat outside traditional luxury-watch conventions.

• 2019

  ICC Cricket World Cup timekeeping appointment

  [1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Hublot becomes the first watch brand appointed official timekeeper of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

• 2015

  UEFA Champions League timekeeping partnership

  [1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Hublot becomes official timekeeper of the UEFA Champions League from the 2015–16 season.

• 2010

  Formula 1 partnership begins

  [1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Hublot becomes Formula 1's official watchmaker and develops racing-themed products and activations.

• 2009

  Nyon manufacture opens

  [1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Hublot opens its first manufacture in Nyon and presents a WISeKey-based watch-authentication system.

• 2008

  LVMH acquisition

  [1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  LVMH acquires Hublot, adding it to the group's portfolio of Swiss luxury-watch brands.

• 2007

  First mono-brand boutiques open

  [1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Hublot opens its first mono-brand boutique in Paris and a second location in Saint-Tropez later the same year.

• 2005

  Big Bang launches

  [1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Hublot unveils the Big Bang chronograph, which becomes a defining collection and receives several international awards.

• 2004

  Jean-Claude Biver joins Hublot

  [1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Biver assumes executive responsibilities and joins the board, beginning a period of aggressive commercial and product development.

• 1980

  Hublot is founded

  [1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Carlo Crocco establishes the watch company through MDM Genève and presents a precious-metal watch with a natural-rubber strap.

Luxury, boldness, innovation, sport-oriented design, and material fusion

• Luxury sports watches and chronographs · 2005

  Big Bang

  Introduced in 2005, Big Bang is Hublot's most commercially prominent family. Its large cases, exposed fasteners, layered construction, integrated straps, and extensive use of ceramic, sapphire, carbon, titanium, gold, and rubber create a highly recognizable sports-luxury appearance. The range includes chronographs, tourbillons, perpetual calendars, divers, high-complication models, and numerous partnerships and limited editions.

• Luxury watches and chronographs

  Classic Fusion

  Classic Fusion presents a more restrained interpretation of Hublot's signature case and material language. Models are offered in three-hand, chronograph, skeletonized, and special-edition configurations. Although less overtly aggressive than Big Bang, the collection retains Hublot's emphasis on case architecture, modern materials, and combinations of metal and rubber.

• Proprietary chronograph movement and watches

  Unico

  Unico refers to Hublot's in-house automatic chronograph platform and watches built around it. The movement supports the brand's strategy of developing proprietary technical content and is used in selected Big Bang and related models. Its visible construction and flyback functionality contribute to Hublot's presentation of mechanical watchmaking as both technical equipment and design object.

• Mechanical movement and power-reserve watches

  Meca-10

  Meca-10 is a Hublot-developed manual-winding movement known for its extended power reserve and visually prominent architecture. Watches using the movement emphasize the display of mechanical components and power-reserve information, fitting Hublot's interest in combining industrial visual cues with high-end finishing.

• Haute horlogerie

  Tourbillon and high-complication watches

  Hublot's high-complication portfolio includes tourbillons and other technically demanding watches produced for selected collections and limited editions. These pieces extend the brand beyond sports chronographs into haute horlogerie while retaining its preference for bold cases, open-worked displays, unusual materials, and collaborative design themes.

• 2024UEFA Euro 2024

  Europe · Global

  Hublot served as official watch and official timekeeper for UEFA Euro 2024.

  Outcome. Maintained the brand's visibility within major international football tournaments.

  Source
• 2020Premier League official timekeeper

  United Kingdom · Global

  Hublot became official timekeeper of the Premier League beginning in the 2020–21 season.

  Outcome. Reinforced the brand's concentration on premium football properties.

  Source
• 2019ICC Cricket World Cup

  United Kingdom · India · Global

  Hublot served as official timekeeper of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, becoming the first watch brand to hold that role for the event.

  Outcome. Expanded sports marketing into international cricket.

  Source
• 2015UEFA Champions League partnership

  Europe · Global

  Hublot became official timekeeper of the UEFA Champions League from the 2015–16 season, extending its football portfolio beyond club sponsorships.

  Outcome. Increased brand presence across European and international football broadcasts and events.

  Source
• 2011Hublot Ferrari partnership

  Global

  Hublot and Ferrari formed a strategic partnership covering official-watch and official-timekeeper roles, followed by collaborative products such as Big Bang Ferrari and Techframe Ferrari Tourbillon Chronograph.

  Outcome. Connected Hublot with Ferrari's motorsport, luxury, and performance heritage.

  Source
• 2010FIFA World Cup timekeeping

  Global

  Hublot became official timekeeper for the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups and later continued its World Cup relationship through the 2018 and 2022 tournaments.

  Outcome. Created repeated global exposure around football's largest international event.

  Source
• 2010Formula 1 official watchmaker

  Global

  The Formula 1 partnership linked Hublot's technical and material messaging with motorsport and produced racing-inspired watches, including models associated with the United States Grand Prix.

  Outcome. Strengthened the brand's performance and engineering credentials.

  Source
• 2008Manchester United partnership

  United Kingdom · Global

  Hublot entered a prominent football partnership with Manchester United, helping establish the brand's association with elite football and sports-luxury marketing.

  Outcome. Expanded international visibility through football sponsorship.

  Source

• 2009

  Expansion of in-house manufacturingStrategy

  Background

  The brand sought greater control over technical development and production as it expanded its proprietary movement and complication portfolio.

  Action taken

  Hublot opened its first manufacture in Nyon and developed capabilities around movements, components, assembly, and high complications.

  Aftermath

  The manufacture supported later technical products including Unico, Meca-10, tourbillons, and other specialized movements.

  Source

• 2009

  WISeKey watch-authentication systemOther

  Background

  Luxury watches face counterfeiting and the need for reliable ownership and product verification.

  Action taken

  Hublot presented a WISeKey system using a smart card and server-based authentication process for identifying watches.

  Aftermath

  The system went live in August 2009 and represented an early attempt by a luxury watch brand to apply connected authentication technology.

  Source

• 2008

  LVMH acquisition of HublotM&A

  Background

  Hublot was an expanding independent Swiss watch brand with a distinctive product identity and growing international profile.

  Action taken

  LVMH acquired Hublot from Carlo Crocco for an undisclosed amount.

  Aftermath

  Hublot became a wholly owned LVMH subsidiary and continued as a separate Swiss watch brand within the group's portfolio.

  Source

• 2005

  Launch of the Big Bang chronographProduct launch

  Background

  Hublot needed a major collection capable of translating its material-fusion concept into a more assertive and commercially scalable product platform.

  Action taken

  The company introduced the Big Bang chronograph with a large, layered case and a combination of conventional luxury materials with modern technical materials and rubber.

  Aftermath

  The collection became a central pillar of Hublot's identity and was followed by strong commercial and critical attention.

  Source

• 2025

  Hublot joins The Snow League as official watch and timekeeper[1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  Beginning in February 2025, Hublot served as official watch and official timekeeper of The Snow League.

• 2024

  Hublot returns as official watch and timekeeper for UEFA Euro 2024[1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  Hublot was again appointed official watch and official timekeeper for the UEFA European Championship.

• 2024

  Hublot appoints Julien Tornare as chief executive[3]Hublot appoints Julien Tornare as chief executivelvmh.com

  Leadership change

  LVMH announced leadership changes within its Watches & Jewelry division, including Julien Tornare’s appointment as Hublot chief executive.

• 2024

  Julien Tornare appointed chief executive officer of Hublot[4]Julien Tornare appointed chief executive officer of Hublotlvmh.com

  Leadership change

  LVMH appointed Julien Tornare to lead Hublot, following his senior leadership experience within the Swiss watch industry.

• 2022

  Hublot serves as official timekeeper of the Qatar FIFA World Cup[1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  Hublot served as official timekeeper of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, continuing its series of World Cup appointments.

• 2020

  Hublot becomes Premier League official timekeeper[1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  Hublot was announced as official timekeeper of the Premier League beginning with the 2020–21 season.

• 2015

  Hublot becomes UEFA Champions League official timekeeper[1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Campaign

  The brand was announced as official timekeeper of the UEFA Champions League from the 2015–16 season.

• 2011

  Hublot and Ferrari establish a strategic partnership[1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Other

  Hublot and Ferrari announced a long-term partnership that began in 2012, covering official-watch and official-timekeeper roles and collaborative watches.

• 2010

  Hublot becomes Formula 1's official watchmaker[1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Other

  Hublot was appointed official watchmaker of Formula 1 and developed racing-related timepieces and event partnerships.

• 2008

  LVMH acquires Hublot[1]Hubloten.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  LVMH announced the acquisition of Hublot from founder Carlo Crocco, bringing the Swiss watchmaker into its luxury-watch portfolio.

Showing the 10 most recent.

1. 1Hubloten.wikipedia.org
2. 2Hublot official websitehublot.com
3. 3Hublot appoints Julien Tornare as chief executivelvmh.com
4. 4Julien Tornare appointed chief executive officer of Hublotlvmh.com
5. 5Hublot introduces the Big Banghublot.com
6. 6Hublot continues its football partnershipshublot.com
7. 7Hublot unveils its first bracelet watchgq-magazine.co.uk
8. 8Little Switzerland Opens New Hublot Shop In Shop In Nassau Bay Street Storeprnewswire.com