Hublot Introduces Classic Fusion Original Watch Because of the wide-ranging similarities between the automotive and watch worlds, it's common for enthusiasts to compare certain watch brands to car manufacturers. Grand Seiko is often compared to Lexus, and TAG Heuer is often compared to longtime brand partner Porsche, but perhaps the most fitting pairing is Hublot's The Lamborghini of watchmaking. While there may now be newer, equally exotic brands occupying similar markets, both Hublot and Lamborghini have helped reshape their respective industries with a spirit of rebellion and willful audacity. Also, like Lamborghini, Hublot rarely draws inspiration from its past catalogue, at least until recently. As part of LVMH Watch Week 2023's New Arrivals, Hublot is returning seriously to the brand's design beginnings in 1980 with a striking new collection in three sizes and a choice of case materials. While the combination of a sharp one-piece case, (optional) precious materials, minimalist dial design and black rubber strap may not be as revolutionary as it was when the Classic Original debuted more than 40 years ago, the ur- Hublot design offers enough Options available to suit every taste.

Available in three widths of 33mm, 38mm and 42mm, the Hublot Classic Fusion Original’s case design finds a middle ground between exactly replicating the original 1980 model and showcasing its modern case geometry. There are many visual similarities to the rest of the modern Classic Fusion line, such as the angular lugs (much wider than the delicately tapered design of the '80s model), the organically rounded polished case sides, the 3 o'clock Black case side flanges. ’ and 9 o’clock, the wide beveled bezel is surrounded by a unique set of six H-shaped screws, in stark contrast to the original’s 12-screw layout.

Despite the visual tweaks, it’s still an attractively simple contrast to the spectacle of Hublot’s other collections. With styles in titanium, Hublot's proprietary Black Magic Ceramic and 18K gold, this relatively restrained design has the opportunity to express a range of different personalities. The 38mm wide model is closest in spirit to the 80s original in the photo, especially in gold, but each size and case material has a subtly different personality in the photo.

The 33mm-wide model offers a decidedly more minimalist, feminine look to the overall shape, while the 42mm-wide model has greater proportions, dropping some of the timeless style of the original in favor of a more deliberately modern feel.

Likewise, the gold model of all sizes comes closest to capturing the simple yet opulent ethos of the 1980 original, while the Black Magic ceramic option lends a more futuristic look to the design, while the titanium version offers a modern, wearable in-between position. Despite Hublot's sporty connotations, the 50-meter water resistance of every watch in the Hublot Classic Fusion Original collection is disappointing.

Like the 80s models that inspired the design, each model in the Hublot Classic Fusion Original collection offers a truly minimal black dial layout. Apart from a dial-matching date window at 3 o'clock and a Hublot logo at 12 o'clock, there are no indexes, indexes or writing (except for the tiny "Swiss Made" text stamped at 6 o'clock). Here you have a glossy piano black dial. That leaves the wide-faced baton phone for timekeeping duties, and that's where tweaks to the original format lead to potential functionality issues. Although Hublot's first design featured a similarly featureless black dial, the 12 screws on the bezel serve as faux hour markers for improved legibility. In contrast, the six H-screws at the top of the Classic Fusion Original's bezel are much more difficult to quickly locate in the image.

For the 38mm and 42mm Classic Fusion Original models, Hublot turned to the HUB1110 automatic movement based on the Sellita SW300-1. This reliable platform powers a variety of Hublot's not-so-exotic models. While audiophiles may complain about the HUB1110's poor foundation and relatively low power reserve of 42 hours at a hopping frequency of 28,800 bph, it is very reliable and easy to maintain. For the 33mm-wide model, Hublot has turned to an unspecified quartz movement with a power reserve of at least three years. To complete the retro-inspired design, Hublot equips each watch in the collection with a smooth, unassuming black rubber strap.

While it may stand out in the brand's Lamborghini-esque forward-thinking style, the new Hublot Classic Fusion Original collection pays homage to the watch that kicked it all off with a wide range of available configurations.