Hublot is a Swiss luxury watch brand founded in 1980 by Carlo Crocco. Prior to founding the company, Crocco was a member of the Binda Group, a prominent watch manufacturer in Italy. Inspired by his experience in the watch industry and his love for sailing, Crocco set out to create a unique and innovative luxury watch brand.
Crocco’s vision for Hublot was to create a watch that combined both traditional Swiss watchmaking techniques with modern materials and design. He began by developing a watch case made entirely of gold, which he named the “Hublot” (which means “porthole” in French). The design was immediately popular, and Hublot became known for its distinctive and bold aesthetic.
In the early 1980s, Hublot launched its first collection of watches, which included the Classic, the Chronograph, and the Perpetual Calendar. These watches were notable for their unique design elements, such as a rubber strap and a distinctive bezel with exposed screws.
Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Hublot continued to innovate and expand its product offerings. The company introduced new collections, such as the Big Bang and the King Power, which further established the brand’s reputation for bold and innovative designs. Hublot also became known for its use of unusual materials, such as ceramic, carbon fiber, and titanium, in its watches.
In 2004, Hublot was acquired by the luxury goods conglomerate LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton). The acquisition allowed Hublot to expand its distribution network and increase its marketing efforts, which helped to further elevate the brand’s profile.
Under the leadership of CEO Jean-Claude Biver, who joined the company in 2004, Hublot continued to push the boundaries of watch design and technology. Biver oversaw the launch of several new collections, such as the Big Bang Unico and the Spirit of Big Bang, and introduced new materials, such as Magic Gold, a proprietary blend of gold and ceramic.
Today, Hublot is known for its bold and innovative designs, as well as its commitment to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking. The company continues to introduce new materials, such as sapphire crystal and transparent resin, and works with cutting-edge technologies, such as 3D printing and laser engraving, to create watches that are both stylish and technologically advanced.
