Hublot Focus
Unmatched craftsmanship and unparalleled innovation defines Hublot, which has given Hong Kong collectors a sneak peek into its workshops as it celebrates its many successes in haute joaillerie watchmaking at The St. Regis Hong Kong
Valued at US$1 million (about HK$7.8 million), the one-of-a-kind Hublot Black Caviar Bang made headlines in 2009 and for good reason. This exceptional timepiece in white gold, complete with 544 black baguette-cut diamonds, won the Jewellery Watch Prize at that year’s Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève.
And so Hublot’s ongoing journey into the elusive world of haute joaillerie began, the results of which were recently celebrated during an extravagant event on November 22 at The St. Regis Hong Kong. Driven by its own in-house philosophy, dubbed ‘Art of Fusion,’ Hublot prides itself on innovation and, over the years, some superb examples of haute joaillerie wristwatches have come to fruition in the process.
After the Black Caviar Bang’s success, the watchmaker followed up with the Classic Fusion Haute Joaillerie One Million and, soon afterwards, its Big Bang Unico “10 years” Haute Joaillerie. The latter had a bezel set with invisible inverted trapeziums–a highly complex method due to the absence of material between the baguettes.
And, of course, there's the more recent Hublot Big Bang One Click Rainbow. A superb statement piece, which is set with 388 gemstones that range from rubies and pink sapphires to amethysts and tsavorites, among others. With ‘Art of Fusion,’ skilled craftsmen use unprecedented technology to further combine the realms of high watchmaking and jewellery, while staying true to three important pillars: sophisticated craftsmanship, meticulous and ethical sourcing, and innovative design.
“Hublot is a pioneer in the development of many watchmaking techniques, including the sapphire case,” reminds Mathias Buttet, research and development director at the Hublot manufacture, through a translator during the event. “We are invested in pushing forward watchmaking’s technology and machinery, and when it comes to sourcing gemstones we aim to find those that capture and reflect as much light as possible.”
