Hublot
Nyon, Switzerland · Est. 1980
Founded by Carlo Crocco
Hublot was founded in Geneva in 1980 by Carlo Crocco and became famous as the first watchmaker to combine gold with natural rubber, a then-shocking material pairing. Under Jean-Claude Biver's leadership from 2004 and now as part of LVMH, Hublot pioneered the concept of fusion materials and big-bold aesthetics, becoming one of the fastest-growing luxury watch brands.
- Founded
- 1980
- Headquarters
- Nyon, Switzerland
- Group
- LVMH
- Price Segment
- Luxury
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Big Bang — Hublot's signature collection launched in 2005 under Jean-Claude Biver, fusing bold design with exotic materials like ceramic, carbon fibre, and sapphire crystal cases.
- Classic Fusion — A sleeker, more refined line that retains Hublot's fusion philosophy in a thinner, dressier format — available in titanium, King Gold, and ceramic.
- Spirit of Big Bang — Tonneau-shaped reinterpretation of the Big Bang, offering the same material innovation in a barrel-shaped case.
- MP Collection — Hublot's haute horlogerie laboratory — limited-edition concept watches with extreme complications like the MP-05 LaFerrari with 50-day power reserve.
- Square Bang — Launched in 2022, a square-cased evolution of the Big Bang aesthetic with integrated bracelet design.
Timeline
- 1980 — Carlo Crocco founds MDM Genève (later Hublot) in Geneva, creating the first luxury watch with a natural rubber strap.
- 2004 — Jean-Claude Biver joins as CEO, transforming Hublot from a niche brand into a global luxury powerhouse.
- 2005 — The Big Bang collection launches, defining Hublot's 'Art of Fusion' philosophy and becoming an instant icon.
- 2008 — LVMH acquires Hublot, providing resources for rapid expansion and manufacture development.
- 2010 — Introduces the UNICO manufacture movement, Hublot's first in-house chronograph calibre.
- 2012 — Becomes the official timekeeper of FIFA and the World Cup, cementing its global sports presence.
- 2025 — Celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Big Bang with a special anniversary series. Julien Tornare succeeds Ricardo Guadalupe as CEO.
- 2026 — Launches a modernised post-anniversary Big Bang under new CEO Julien Tornare, who announces a strategic rebalancing toward sport, art, design and music.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hublot
- What does 'Art of Fusion' mean for Hublot?
- It is Hublot's design philosophy of combining unexpected materials — gold with rubber, ceramic with titanium, carbon fibre with sapphire — pioneered by founder Carlo Crocco and amplified under Jean-Claude Biver.
- Why was the rubber strap revolutionary?
- In 1980, pairing natural rubber with a gold case was considered sacrilege in Swiss watchmaking. Crocco's innovation eventually became an industry standard, with most luxury brands now offering rubber strap options.
- What is the UNICO movement?
- Hublot's in-house automatic chronograph calibre, first introduced in 2010. It features a flyback function, column wheel, and distinctive skeleton dial design that showcases the movement architecture.
- Is Hublot part of a larger group?
- Yes, Hublot has been part of LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) since 2008, alongside TAG Heuer and Zenith in LVMH's watch division.