Hublot

Wow. This timepiece is incredible. Mind blown!



Ok some deeper thoughts - like many collectors of both AP and Richard Mille - I had extremely skeptical of Hublot. The Big Bang is just a “cheap copy” of the Royal Oak. The Spirit is another fancy replica of RIchard Mille. Hublot has unlimited limited editions and is for common watch collectors who don’t know anything about watches. I totally snobbed away any notion of buying a Hublot or recommending Hublot to other newbies.

I think I have been wrong after so many years. This is a pretty extraordinary timepiece with an extremely limited clientele. I’m starting to see too may AP limiteds, RM limiteds, Patek Nautilus on wrists. In Singapore and Shanghai it’s an all too common sight. A sapphire encased watch? Just not something I’ve seen much.

And, I am starting to think the gig is up, especially for RM. After purchasing this piece I now have a hard time to justify the value especially of the RM11 or even the RM10/30. Movement- RM Vaucher movement vs the Hublot Zenith movement? Sapphire vs Carbon, NTPT, TPT Quartz? On the flip side - how does Hublot get away with this - are they leaving value on the table?

In the end - getting this timepiece won’t stop me still to acquire my ultimate grail - the Rm004v2. I am also on a pre-list for the AP RD2 - so the love for AP will always be there.

But my mind has changed about Hublot. And, if they continue to innovate in terms of materials, movements, and design - maybe they will get to the league of Haute RM and AP timepieces...

Really exciting experience so far...

Cheers
Peter

Out of the box ...

I still need to take a picture of the nice clear watch case...

what is your wrist size just to imagine the fit of this 42mm?... 

Probably expands during the afternoon to about 7.25”...

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts after a few weeks of this love affair

I agree that Tonneau cases have been around for a while pre-RM. Franck Mueller probably popularized the case design more than most. But I really became enamored with the ultra modern aesthetic when RM launched its famous original “Racing Machine on the Wrist” campaign with the RM001 and RM004 ads. So hence my first foray with the RM005 - which I enjoyed very much.

Comparing what I remember of wearing the RM011 - there are certainly similarities. In fact when I tried on the 45mm Hublot Spirit it felt very similar - but what RM does a better job with the RM011 is that the caseback curvature was more comfortable on my wrist. The only issue on both watches was the “projection” or height of the watch - much “taller” than my AP 44mm, my Panerai 47mm, and easy for me to bang it on a wall.

With the 42mm Hublot it’s a much more comfortable set of dimensions. Feels more similar to the RM010 and less than the AP. YMMV of course - but I have been pleased so far with the lightness if the watch (I need to weight it at some point).

More impressions to come...

You now know you have been wrong for so many time, the only way is up! Joke aside, this brand is different from the rest. And like Andrew states, RM doesn't have a patent on tonneau watches. Those who think so know nothing about horlogerie. Grtz, Dom

Hublot has really established itself in a very short period - the future looks very bright. I had a chance to see some of the tech frame models and the laFerrari and i am pretty impressed!

Who cares what other people think.
It’s for you. And whether you like it is all that matters.
I own two Hublots and enjoy them just fine.

PS: a serious watch company ...

...more pics here. One reason of them being less appreciated mostly only AP/PP pics are posted - Its just a self fulfilling prophesy- You go after what you see more. There is a reason why we think models have to be Victorias of the world )

Please do give us another update when you have time.  And please do share more pics too