Classic Fusion
Hublot Classic Fusion: The Complete Collector's Encyclopedia
The Classic Fusion returns to Carlo Crocco's founding 1980 concept: a porthole-bezel watch with integrated rubber strap, executed with minimal ornamentation. Introduced in 2010 as the restrained counterpart to the Big Bang, the collection spans 38mm to 45mm in titanium, ceramic, King Gold, Magic Gold, and sapphire. Base models use the HUB1110 (Sellita SW300 derivative); chronograph variants use the HUB1143. The 42mm titanium (Ref. 542.NX.1171.RX) at $4,500 to $6,500 pre-owned represents strong value for the materials and design execution. Ceramic Black Magic variants resist scratching better than any competing material. The Classic Fusion depreciates 30 to 50% from retail, which makes it an excellent buy-to-wear proposition for buyers indifferent to resale.
Last updated: 2026-04-02
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Specifications
History
In 1980, Italian entrepreneur Carlo Crocco launched Hublot ('porthole' in French) with a watch that the Swiss watch industry rejected: a gold case with a natural rubber strap, fixed with exposed H-shaped screws. The combination of precious metal and industrial rubber was considered heretical (no major retailer would carry it initially. But the concept)'the Art of Fusion,' combining unexpected materials: proved prescient. After Jean-Claude Biver joined in 2004 and launched the Big Bang, Hublot's design language expanded dramatically. In 2010, the Classic Fusion was introduced to return to Crocco's original vision: clean lines, the porthole bezel, integrated rubber strap, and minimalist elegance. The Classic Fusion is Hublot's bridge between its rebellious founding spirit and conventional luxury watchmaking.
Iconic References
Buying Guide
- • First-time Hublot buyers seeking an accessible entry into the brand
- • Material enthusiasts who want to explore titanium, ceramic, King Gold, or Magic Gold
- • Buyers who want a dressy, refined watch from a brand known for boldness
- • Collectors adding variety: the Classic Fusion complements a Big Bang perfectly
- • Anyone who appreciates the porthole-and-rubber aesthetic without the Big Bang's size
Pricing & Market Data
Retail MSRP
Pre-Owned Market
Market Trajectory
Classic Fusions depreciate 30-50% from retail. This is the trade-off for Hublot ownership, but it makes the pre-owned market exceptional value. Prices have been stable since 2023.
Investment Grade
D-tier for standard production (heavy depreciation). C-tier for ceramic and King Gold (better material value retention). B-tier for limited editions and sapphire cases.
Best Value Pick
The Classic Fusion Titanium 42mm at $5,000-$6,500 pre-owned is one of the best values in Swiss luxury watchmaking: porthole bezel, H-shaped screws, integrated rubber strap, Swiss automatic movement, from a LVMH-backed luxury brand.
Comparisons
Cultural Significance
Usain Bolt
Hublot ambassador: various models including Classic Fusion
The world's fastest man as a Hublot ambassador brought mainstream athletic credibility to the brand.
Jay-Z
Hublot Classic Fusion (various)
Hip-hop royalty wearing Classic Fusion reinforced Hublot's crossover appeal between luxury watchmaking and culture.
Bar Refaeli
Classic Fusion
Model and Hublot ambassador who demonstrated the collection's unisex appeal.
Collector's Lore
Carlo Crocco's original 1980 Hublot was rejected by every major Swiss retailer. He sold them himself, directly to Italian and European clients. The Classic Fusion is the modern tribute to that original rebel spirit: refined, but still fundamentally different from everything else.
The porthole bezel with its six H-shaped screws isn't just aesthetic: it's structural. The screws hold the bezel to the case in a way that allows material combinations (gold bezel on ceramic case, for example) that traditional construction can't achieve.
Magic Gold (Hublot's scratch-resistant 18k gold)is created by fusing gold with ceramic under extreme pressure. It's the only 18k gold in the world that doesn't scratch. It took 5 years and multiple patents to develop.
Frequently Asked Questions
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