The Big Bang celebrated its 20th anniversary last year—how has it evolved?
The Big Bang revolutionised contemporary luxury watchmaking in 2004 with its size, shapes and unprecedented materials. No one expected such a phenomenon, and it has since become a 21st-century icon. Over the past 20 years, technology has evolved considerably, and Hublot now also has its own in-house movement, Unico. We have reworked the ergonomics, improved the finishing, introduced additional sizes, and developed one-click interchangeable straps. The Big Bang Original remains in the collection for everything it represents and for the strength of the design brought by Jean-Claude Biver.
What about the Classic Fusion?
It will be our third highlight of the year in September after LVMW Watch Week in January and Watches and Wonders in April. We are going to return to the origins explain how Hublot is originally an Italian brand imagined by Mr. Carlo Crocco with a desire for Italian elegance. We are going to bring back this aesthetic spirit while strengthening its technical content and taking greater care with the finishes. And we are going to associate it with this rejuvenation of the Classic Fusion which was the essence of Hublot at its beginnings we discussed it a lot together. It is magnificent to be able to be accompanied on such a project by the founder of the brand there is an almost spiritual side.
Does Hublot’s watchmaking DNA seem to be taking on a new dimension?
Yes. Just because Hublot is a disruptive and creative brand in terms of materials—and even avant-garde in its marketing—doesn’t mean it isn’t serious about its watchmaking values. We will therefore place greater emphasis on our Unico and Meca-10 calibres, continue to develop new movements, draw attention to our level of finishing, and even to our watches’ warranty, the duration of which we are extending because we have confidence in our products. And this is all happening ahead of the inauguration of our second manufacture, scheduled for next winter. Hublot has accomplished an enormous amount of watchmaking work and will soon be using only manufacture movements. In some cases, on certain models such as the Spirit of Big Bang, this may include the El Primero calibre from Zenith, which is an excellent movement. It is up to us to explain our watchmaking approach and to earn the credibility that comes with it. But of course, Hublot will remain highly creative and continue to surprise.
You presented three collaborations during LVMH Watch Week. Does it still work?
Yes. Notably with the limited edition for UEFA a piece designed for collectors and football enthusiasts. We are expanding our partnership with designer Samuel Ross through a limited series of 200 Big Bang Unico SR_A chronographs now also more accessible in price compared to previous editions but it is especially the Novak Djokovic GOAT Edition trilogy that generates the most enthusiasm. And its launch also corresponded to the date of the Australian Open. We wanted to celebrate the greatest tennis player of all time by creating his tourbillon in three colors symbolizing the court surfaces on which he won his tournaments made in as many copies as titles on each (grass synthetic and clay) 101 in total for now. If he wins a new tournament there will be one more copy and Djoko is very motivated for that to happen.
Are you also presenting new colors?
Yes, sage green for Classic Fusion and a very refined charcoal blue slightly pastel which we will apply to all collections. It is a new blue which appeals to both women and men really a very nice color which is enjoying particularly pleasing success.
You have traveled around the world meeting clients. What did you gain from this?
It is an enormous source of information on what people like about Hublot what they like less and what they would like to see at Hublot. Each of my trips includes a meeting with the Hublotistas it is a rule I set for myself. It has taught me that the perception of the brand changes little from one market to another they all appreciate the surprising side of Hublot. Moreover it allows me to explain our watchmaking approach to them and to invite them to our manufacture. We are going to make it a fantastic tool to elevate Hublot in terms of manufacturing credibility and of course in terms of hospitality. Hublot must remain off the beaten path even my counterparts at the heads of the largest manufactures tell me they are convinced of it Hublot plays a leading role in the watchmaking industry.
In the current environment, what does Hublot still lack to take off again?
I think all the elements are on the table it is up to us to orchestrate them. We have just celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Big Bang but we have also worked enormously on 2026 2027 and 2028 and this year the products we have created are arriving as well as new marketing initiatives. The engine of innovation is going to be boosted creativity is taking a new turn the intrinsic watchmaking value is becoming more perceptible 2026 is going to change a lot in my opinion. Once these three aspects are well integrated we have a chance to position Hublot in a unique way. There are many beautiful classic and high-end brands Hublot asserts itself in the high-end while remaining fun and surprising modern and innovative. Which brand can boast of making its own sapphire Hublot has been doing it in-house for a long time and this know-how will strengthen our watchmaking credibility. Very good things have been accomplished by my predecessors and I have the responsibility to align them and place Hublot in a very particular position in the watchmaking landscape.
