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KIH
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Hublot 2012 Novelties Hands-on report

As a part of their world tour, most of the notable novelties of 2012 came to Tokyo (some were unfortunately missing) and I had an opportunity to see, handle, and take pics, thanks to Hublot Japan and Hublot Boutique Ginza.

Overall, the new line-up is solid one - as always, some hate some, some love some, YMMV - and I had a good time and fun trying on each of them.  Totally new in-house movement - Classic Fusion Extra-Thin manual winding, Unico GMT, Unico Big Bang Ferrari - are fun to handle and wear, and I am sorry that I missed Ferrari Magic Gold and Skeleton Tourbillon.  Would love to see them when the sample becomes available.  In the meantime, if you encounter any one of the novelties near you in the future, please post the pics and what you think about it.

Let us go through one by one.


1. Classic Fusion Extra-Thin Skeleton
As many have pointed out, this is one standing-out model of this year.  Very thin (movement 2.9mm, case 8.6mm, if I remember right="Extra-thin" for Hublot!) and interesting dial view (literally skeleton or not), and MANUAL winding.  There are Titanium and Pink Gold (King Gold) versions.  Although the spec says 45mm, thanks to the thinness and thick bezel and short and curved-in lugs, it doesn't look big on the wrist.  Would fit well with business attire.

HUB1300 movement - Power reserve 90 hours.

Titanium: 515.NX.0170.LR








The rounded side gives elegance.











Interesting and attractive dial design.  Again, please don't start whether skeleton or not argument







Manual winding new in-house movement.



Extra-thin for Hublot.








King Gold version.

King Gold - 515.OX.0180.LR




















2. Oceanographic 1000
This model is least known, even to Hublot staff.  Lighter variation of its 4000M model with chronograph. 

Titanium - 732.NX.1127.RX, LE of 1000




















The inner bezel crown is now placed at 10 o'clock, with PVD Titanium cover (opened)



Cover opened from above.







Chronograph pusher is protected by the screwed in cylinder - you have to unscrew the cylinder cover to start and stop the chronograph (presumably unusable in the water).




48mm, but not as big as I thought.



Of course, it is still thick.



Tang buckle only for easy use with the thick divers' glove.



1000MM is a bit less thick (top) than the 4000M counterpart.



New variation of 4000M model - the below "Denim" with white stitch strap is the Boutique Only Edition.








New All Black Blue model.
731.QX.1190.GR.ABB12








King Gold White model.
731.OE.2180.RW




King Gold model.
731.OX.1170.RX




3. Big Bang Ferrari Titanium LE of 1000
I really wanted to see the Magic Gold version, but this one with titanium color would be many people's choice.  Very chic and low profile machine.

Titanium - 401.NX.0123.GR




The numbers on the index are said to be similar to the ones on Ferrari - can any owner verify?



The Unico rotor is shaped like the wheel cover.











Look at the chronograph start/stop buttons - shaped like the car pedals.



See this video how the buttons work - very, very light (or feather) touch and cool-looking Chronograph buttons.




Like Oceanographic, the a trapezoid-shaped push button in the middle of the lugs releases the strap for easy change.



Side is carbon.



Very handsome watch to wear, I can tell you.







4. King Power Unico All Carbon
701.QX.0140.RX




5. King Power Unico Titanium
701.NX.0170.RX




6. King Power Unico King Gold Carbon
701.OQ.0180.RX




7. King Power Maradona LE of 500
716.CI.1129.RX.DMA11




See the minute dial for the chronograph is 45 minutes?  For soccer game, of course!












King Gold Ceramic model -  LE of 200
716.OM.1129.RX.DMA12




8. King Power UEFA EURO 2012^TM Ukraine LE of 250
716.OM.1129.RX.EUR12




UEFA EURO 2012 logo printed on the display back glass.



USFA EURO 2012^TM Poland LE of 500
716.NM.1129.RX.EUR12








9. King Power Unico GMT Ceramic
Operation is easier than you might think.  Pressing the push button on 2 o'clock advances all the four round discs on the dial by half an hour.  Now you see the watch says 4 o'clock and look at what "Tokyo" indicates - 16, which is 16:00 and it is 4pm.  Then you see Hong Kong indicates 15 and it is 3PM, etc....  As with most of the GMT watches, this can't figure out summer time and such.  And I assume that there will be various versions for many other places on the dial....  There may be various opinions on this, but this is an interesting way to do it.

771.CI.1170.RX
















Now you see London....



King Gold Ceramic model.
771.OM.1170.RX




Okay, folks, that is about it.  What do you think?  What is your favorite this year?

Again, many thanks to Hublot Japan and Hublot Boutique Ginza.


Ken

This message has been edited by KIH on 2012-04-15 02:41:10 This message has been edited by KIH on 2012-05-22 22:27:43