Thoughts on Hublot ?

[tedo]

Looking to add something new, similar to photos. Believe priced too high on the retail side, better preowned.

Thoughts welcomed for owners and non-owners.

[tanask211]

Not a fan of Hublot watches but heard from my AD that it's gaining popularity typically the younger crowd.

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[WatchEater666]

They aren't very popular anymore. Sometimes good deals floating around. They are the Panerai of 2015

[szabo_martin]

If YOU like it and it speaks to YOU then buy it. Hublot is not particularly loved in the WIS community so its whatever makes you happy.

[fmc000]

I'm a Hublot big fan, especially the Big Bang line. I'm not a fan of the Unico line with skeleton dial, basically because I don't like skeleton dials in general.

They are great watches, the attention to details is amazing, they have great wrist presence and they are extremely comfortable even for people with small wrists because of the short lugs.

The main drawback (for most people) is that they use ETA/Sellita movements in the BB / CF lines. I don't consider this a problem, though: much easier to service and great reliability.

[christianj]

I used to own two Hublots earlier in my watch collecting years. Still own one but have planned on selling it but just never got to it. Watch collectors kind of dismiss the brand since they went way too crazy with color combinations and really bizarre decos. Honestly that is what made me move on from the brand because every time they did a new release I thought WTF are they doing. For all the shit they get, we are now seeing a lot of other companies several years later going nuts with color combinations as well (I’m also an AP owner and they need to stop with this as well and even Patek is being criticized for tons of color combinations today). IMHO they are still popular in certain crowds and I think also more popular outside of the US and Western Europe.

To summarize, buy if it speaks to you. I would suggest you try to buy preowned if the model is available.

[christianj]

Sorry! Duplicate post deleted.

[smg8]

I started a post on Hublot the other day which totally flopped haha. Glad to see someone else considering them!

I have lost all interest in Rolex due to stupid AD games and having to beg shop assistants to allow me to part with my £'s and am exploring options from other brands. I want a chronograph in the £6k - £7k mark and after being a bit uninspired trying on a Speedy and not 100% convinced by the Breitling Chronomat (though it was nice) the latest thing I have eyes on is a Hublot Classic Fusion.

This to me is a great looking watch, with AP vibes but not an AP price tag;

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I don't fully get the hate for Hublot, not that it impacts whether I buy the watch or not.

Common arguments seem to be;

Hublot copied AP - not really for me, yes there are similarities but that's a very different watch to a Royal Oak. Can it not also be argued that AP copied Hublot as Hublot were first to start putting luxury watches on rubber. That argument also doesn't quite wash compared to the love in for the Zenith Chronomaster/Daytona ;-)

Hublot is owned by LVMH - so is Zenith?

Hublot has no history - I don't really know what this one means to be honest, I like the fact a challenger brand started in the 80's has disrupted the establishment. Seems a good success story rather than something to hold against them....

Some don't have an in house movement - meh.

I'd say if you like it go for it! I am off to try some on tomorrow, they seem cool contemporary luxury options and a good alternative to some of the over hyped stuff going at 4 x MSRP

[WatchEater666]

Agreed re: in-house movements being extremely overrated. I would rather have a well finished off the shelf movement than a meh finished "in-house". Especially given how much easier it is to have someone service something like an ETA.

BTW if you like the look of the Hublots, then the Zenith Defy series might be right up your alley.

[smg8]

Originally Posted by fmc000

I'm a Hublot big fan, especially the Big Bang line. I'm not a fan of the Unico line with skeleton dial, basically because I don't like skeleton dials in general.

They are great watches, the attention to details is amazing, they have great wrist presence and they are extremely comfortable even for people with small wrists because of the short lugs.

The main drawback (for most people) is that they use ETA/Sellita movements in the BB / CF lines. I don't consider this a problem, though: much easier to service and great reliability.

As someone potentially looking at one and new to the brand too this is good feedback, thanks

[smg8]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

Agreed re: in-house movements being extremely overrated. I would rather have a well finished off the shelf movement than a meh finished "in-house". Especially given how much easier it is to have someone service something like an ETA.

BTW if you like the look of the Hublots, then the Zenith Defy series might be right up your alley.

I can't even see the movement of my Rolex GMT Master so it doesnt mean that much to me haha

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by smg8

I can't even see the movement of my Rolex GMT Master so it doesnt mean that much to me haha

Exactly, not to mention there's nothing really wrong with an ETA or off the shelf movement, especially in the context of no exhibition caseback.

[christianj]

@smg8....The Classic Fusion line is definitely a nice less blinged out option and that Chrono has always been one of the nicest options in the line.

[Rmoor]

I own two and they are very nice watches. I have the Big Bang unico ceramic and the Big Bang steel ceramic evolution. They are right up there finish wise with my other watches (AP, Rolex, Zenith). I purchased my unico new for $12,300 and my evolution new for $8k.

[tedo]

Originally Posted by Rmoor

I own two and they are very nice watches. I have the Big Bang unico ceramic and the Big Bang steel ceramic evolution. They are right up there finish wise with my other watches (AP, Rolex, Zenith). I purchased my unico new for $12,300 and my evolution new for $8k.

Thanks! Is this your UNICO ceramic?

[christianj]

@tedo....if you are looking for all black...this was the model I owned and it was my go to travel watch since it didn’t scratch. Not sure if it’s still made.


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[tedo]

Originally Posted by christianj

@tedo....if you are looking for all black...this was the model I owned and it was my go to travel watch since it didn’t scratch. Not sure if it’s still made.


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Thanks for sending!

[polaris72]

I think I mentioned it before, I am not a fan of Hublot. On the other hand, I have noticed some inventions in materials used, movement modifications which are promising. I just wish they would do more of that than infinity of limited models. And they are overpriced.

[Rmoor]

Originally Posted by tedo

Thanks! Is this your UNICO ceramic?

Yes sir that’s it I have the 45mm version. Awesome watch !

[tedo]

Originally Posted by Rmoor

Yes sir that’s it I have the 45mm version. Awesome watch !

Really nice. I like this one called Meca-10

[bigjack78]

I just picked up my first recently, a blue ceramic Meca 10. Absolutely love it and I get a lot of compliments. Over priced but who cares, I can afford it.

[tedo]

Originally Posted by bigjack78

I just picked up my first recently, a blue ceramic Meca 10. Absolutely love it and I get a lot of compliments. Over priced but who cares, I can afford it.

Thanks...have a few photos you can share. What made you choose Meca over Integral or other skeleton models?

[Guinness58]

No offense to owners who like them but they hit me as over priced fashion watches for a young crowd.

[tedo]

Originally Posted by Guinness58

No offense to owners who like them but they hit me as over priced fashion watches for a young crowd.

Might have agreed until I did a little research on my own and saw this video: https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/articl...g-bang-meca-10

Quite impressive I think.

[WatchEater666]

Originally Posted by Guinness58

No offense to owners who like them but they hit me as over priced fashion watches for a young crowd.

If you own a Rolex you really can't say this with a straight face.

[fmc000]

The watchprosite Hublot subforum is a good place to start.

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[S``]

Buy pre-owned, great watches...

[Swaye]

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

If you own a Rolex you really can't say this with a straight face.

This.

[smg8]

Originally Posted by christianj

@smg8....The Classic Fusion line is definitely a nice less blinged out option and that Chrono has always been one of the nicest options in the line.

Managed to try one on this morning, really really nice!

The 42mm wears very small, the 45mm wears a bit smaller than I'd expect a 45mm to wear.

It's a nice blend of smart/dressy and lux casual/sporty.

[smg8]

Originally Posted by tedo

Might have agreed until I did a little research on my own and saw this video: https://www.watchfinder.co.uk/articl...g-bang-meca-10

Quite impressive I think.

Great link, good read up that.

I think a couple of things spring to mind on the Hublot comments;


1. A watch appealing to younger buyers is seen as a negative of Hublot for some. I couldn't disagree more. If watches ONLY appealed to say 70 year old blokes, what happens to the watch industry in 20 years time when those 70 year old blokes are no longer with us? The fact brands can be creative and innovative and appeal to the younger generation is surely essential for the watch industry to continue. I guess there were some turning their nose up when AP first ventured into SS sports watches in the 70's, look how that panned out If everyone only made 36mm yellow gold on alligator leather watches then the watch industry would be far smaller than it is.

2. There are some who can't afford to drop £30k on an AP or £100k on a Richard Mille, and some who like the AP/RM design/style and don't want to drop £30k on one. A Hublot gets you something with similar design language, but at a much more affordable price point, seems a good niche in the market. It's natural that those in their 20's/30's/40's will have less disposable £'s than those in their 70's/80's, and seems logical that Hublot would therefore attract younger buyers.