Andrewluff introduces the third collaboration between Hublot and Italia Independent, led by Lapo Elkann, which features a new range of Classic Fusion watches. This iteration steps away from previous 'Texalium' models to incorporate fabrics from the prestigious Italian tailor Rubinacci. The post highlights the fusion of Hublot's technical innovation with Italian elegance and bespoke design expertise.
The exciting partnership created in 2014 between Hublot and the Independent Italia founder, Lapo Elkann, has to date seen the release of 2 ultra modern models featuring the Unico movement and the especially developed material created for the partnership called 'Texalium'. For the 3rd release, there has been a step back in time and together with the famous Italian tailor Rubinacci have produced a range of Classic Fusion based on cloth from the prestigious tailors archives.
āWe are very proud to be able to continue this partnership with Italia Independent and Lapo Elkann, whose creativity and character never cease to surprise us. This new project was an extraordinary experience for us: putting Hublot's capacity for technical innovation and willingness to experiment to the service of the House of Rubinacci - a monument to Italian elegance - and the incomparable style of Lapo Elkann. The Classic Fusion Italia Independent truly represents the fusion of three forms of expertise.ā Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO Hublot
This was a task that was made-to-measure (no pun intended) for Lapo Elkann who is frequently named "the most elegant man in the world" and who has made bespoke designs and customisation his signature. He brought Ferrari's āTailor Madeā programme to life, and he is continuing and expanding upon the concept with Garage Italia Customs; cars, boats, planes and helicopters, with a unique level of customisation, personalisation and innovative creativity for the whole mobility industry. Lapo also applies this same expertise to the creations that he designs for Hublot and Italia Independent.
"As a creator, I have always put customisation and bespoke designs, which for me represent real luxury, at the heart of my different projects. It is with this in mind that I conceive and design unique objects, which meet my tastes and requirements, but also satisfy my clients. I like the fact that they become truly mine and that they are distinctive, and this is the case for the Classic Fusion Italia Independent collection." Lapo Elkann, Founder and Artistic Director of Italia Independent
The āsartoria Rubinacciā was not chosen at random: since 1932, three generations of Rubinacci have been at the reins of this institution of good taste and masculine refinement: Gennaro, the founding grandfather, Mariano, the father who now manages the house from Naples and, of course Luca, master of the store in Milan, and one of the most photographed men on the planet thanks to his unique style. Between them they have dressed everybody from the Duke of Kent to singer Bryan Ferry, not to mention of course the Agnelli family, of which Lapo Elkann is the worthy successor.
The House of Rubinacci holds the most beautiful collection of fabrics in its archives. It was here, in the more than 60,000 square metres of precious houndstooth, tweeds and other cloths that Hublot and Lapo Elkann found a collection of tartansāsquared coloured wool weaves from the seventiesāthat they brought back to life by including them in the Classic Fusion as a chronograph. The dial and straps have therefore been made using these precious fabrics to offer this range of 45 mm timekeepers an end result that is the epitome of elegance. āLa vera sprezzatura!ā
"I chose these fabrics thinking about the costumes that we make for Lapo Elkann. I began with the extravagant colours of a vivid tartan with a sporty tone, then a more traditional houndstoothāin the style of an Italian gentlemanāthat I wanted in black and white, the colours of his favourite team Juventus F.C. I didn't think that it was possible to put wool on the straps and dial of a watch. But, Hublot managed it and the result is better than I could have hoped for. We have achieved a balanced watch, with a pattern effect that is neither too bold nor too light." Luca Rubinacci 
Luca Rubinacci, Lapo Elkann and Ricardo Guadalupe
Here are the technical specs:
Personally, I cannot wait to see the watches in the flesh and my favourite the tartan check! As soon as I do, I will post some live pictures.
