Since 2016, the partnership between these two luxury houses has been one of perfect harmony, marked by their technical prowess and a creativity that knows no bounds. For this fourth opus, Berluti and Hublot have taken the Art of Fusion even further: the case features both the “Scritto” text and the patinated leather palette – iconic signatures of the luxury shoe brand. This model is available in titanium or bronze, paired with a Venezia Cold Brown or Cold Gold leather strap. This series will be exclusively available in Japan (Isetan, Hublot stores in Ginza, Osaka and Kyoto) and in the New York Hublot boutique from 19 June to 20 July 2019, and worldwide the next day.
In Olga Berluti's eyes, there is nothing more beautiful than a leather shoe darkened with age. "This alone has a soul," she says. "Transferring this to the world of watchmaking was a challenge we relished. It was an exciting exercise to transpose the patina and the 'Scritto' – two hallmark signs of Berluti's expertise – onto these watch cases."
Olga Berluti expertly developed this carefully process of applying essential oils and pigments which give the shoes their unique character, in order to defy time and the rules of colour. The “Scritto” – also one of the hallmarks of the luxury shoe brand – refers to an eighteenth-century French letter which Olga Berluti bought at auction. Handwritten lines of text make their mark in this iconic collection, the expression of a crafted by hand. Encapsulating the Venezia leather – a natural material – in a water-resistant case was a feat in itself. Having done so, the next challenge for Hublot was clear: to find a way to transpose these traditions to the metal – a material with entirely different physical attributes – and imbue the cases with the “soul” of Berluti. A way of revealing the bond of expertise which unites these luxury ateliers.
These two elegant timepieces are powered by the HUB1143 automatic chronograph movement and, from the strap to the dial, they showcase an infinite array of autumnal colours in all their contrasting shades. These timepieces are presented in a bespoke box containing a complete Berluti leather care set. Each version will be available in a limited edition of 200 pieces.
