The Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo honors the brand's beginnings with two new models featuring a 38 mm gold case and a Zenith automatic calibre. The watch pays homage to Hublot's 1980 design.
Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo Design
Hublot has released two new models of the Classic Fusion Tributo, reflecting the brand's early design ethos. These watches retain the minimalist aesthetics of the original Hublot models, which first combined gold and rubber, now updated with an automatic Zenith calibre.
Nearly 50 years ago, rubber was common in sports watches, but not in luxury timepieces. Carlo Crocco's idea to combine gold with rubber was groundbreaking. MDM, Crocco's brand, already had an elegant gold model with 12 screws. Crocco aimed for a more versatile and sporty design.
Historical Context and Development
To develop this concept, Crocco assembled a team including Italian designer Francesco Maria Vimercati and Swiss case maker Eric Bonnet. They proposed using rubber, and engineer Guido Gamberini spent two years perfecting the rubber strap.
In 1980, the watch debuted at Baselworld as the Hublot, featuring a 36 mm yellow gold case with 12 screws on the bezel and an integrated black rubber strap with a hidden clasp.
Tributo Models: Yellow and White Gold
The Classic Fusion Tributo models closely follow the 1980 design, with bezels featuring 12 screws and the signature gold-rubber combination. The new cases are 38 mm in diameter, 2 mm larger than the original.
The yellow gold version features a polished and satin-finished case with a matte black dial and gold 'MDM' lettering. The white gold version has polished surfaces and a bezel with 12 dark-coated titanium screws. Its dial is polished black onyx with silver 'MDM' lettering.
Movement and Technical Details
The watches house the Zenith HUB1711 calibre, based on the Elite 670, operating at 4 Hz with a 60-hour power reserve. The sapphire case back reveals the rotor: 22-karat gold for the yellow gold model and black tungsten for the white gold model.
Crocco's Legacy and Modern Tribute
Carlo Crocco served as a consultant for the Classic Fusion Tributo, ensuring fidelity to the 1980 design. Although he stepped away in 2008 after selling Hublot to LVMH, Crocco remains active in philanthropy through his foundation, Main dans la Main. Hublot will donate CHF 100,000 to support the foundation.
The Classic Fusion Tributo watches do not feature the 'One Click' system for strap changes and are not limited editions. Each model is priced at approximately €30,200 or $30,900.
Frequently Asked Questions
What movement is in the Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo?
The Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo is powered by the Zenith HUB1711 calibre, based on the Elite 670, with a 60-hour power reserve.
What is the case size of the Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo?
The case size of the Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo is 38 mm, which is 2 mm larger than the original 1980 design.
How much does the Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo cost?
The Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo is priced at approximately €30,200 or $30,900.