BRAND HISTORY
Hublot was founded in 1980 by Carlo Crocco, an Italian entrepreneur. The brand was famous for pairing rubber straps with porthole-shaped metal cases. The straps, made of natural rubber and which seemed to regenerate when in contact with the skin, were revolutionary for its time – it was a proprietary innovation that took three years to create, and quickly became a Hublot trademark.

In 2003, marketing extraordinaire Jean-Claude Biver met Crocco and both men hit it off instantly. Crocco was looking for someone who could take over the helm of Hublot and within a year, Biver assumed the role as CEO. 

Hublot underwent a resurgence under Biver’s charge. For a start, he crystallised the brand’s ethos of experimentation and knack for combining materials with the ‘Art of Fusion’ concept. At the same time, Biver created a new flagship collection called the Big Bang, which accentuated the distinctive porthole design, the metal case-and-rubber strap combination, as well as expressed a sporty and flamboyant personality. The Big Bang collection took off immediately, winning watchmaking accolades and sending sales figures rocketing for Hublot with a three-fold increase from the previous year.

In 2008, the luxury conglomerate, LVMH Group, acquired Hublot. Today, the brand is led by CEO Ricardo Guadalupe, who previously worked closely alongside Biver and was the general manager of the brand.

KEY WATCHES

BOUTIQUE
#L1-58, The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore

BRAND AMBASSADORS
Usain Bolt, Diego Maradona, Bernie Ecclestone, Manchester United