Hublot was founded in 1980, making it a relatively new player in the centuries-old watchmaking industry. However, Hublot has become a leader in its own right by applying groundbreaking design techniques and using revolutionary materials.
Innovation
In 1976, at 32, Carlo Crocco boldly left his uncle's watchmaking company to strike out on his own. The Binda Group, which specialized in crafting Breil watches, was a widely respected and decorated dynasty that Crocco had been expected to inherit. But instead, he chose to focus on making his line of watches, including the popular C&C "Crocco & Cavallaro" line.
Crocco was determined to introduce a new watch design, one he had not produced before. Over 4 years, he raised $4 million to build a watch factory in Switzerland, the epicentre of watch manufacturing. In 1980, he opened MDM Geneva and introduced his Hublot watch at the Baselworld watch fair.
Hublot in Basselworld
The rubber watch band on Hublot's first creation was a sensation at Basel. The band was made of a unique, lightweight, durable rubber that had never been used in the luxury watch industry. The result was an elegant watch with a sporty flair that effortlessly straddled high-end design and casual everyday wear. It was a breakthrough in the luxury watch space but on the commercial side, watch buyers were slow to buy into Hublot fusion then-radical design.
Hublot in Basselworld 2020, Image from srblog.it
In the 1980s, the sales team at Crocco had to work hard for customers to invest in a Hublot. With well-respected and long-established brands competing against them, it took time for Hublot's name recognition to build (first across Europe and then in the United States) through the '90s. Not everyone liked Hublot's unusual rubber strap—some customers even though its high price tag was because of its complicated design, not the unconventional strap. In 1993, however, Hublot watches were recognized as favourites among celebrities, including Prince Albert of Monaco, Giorgio Armani and Elton John.
Hublot Today
In 2004, with Hublot's popularity waning, Jean-Claude Biver took over as CEO. He left his post as president of Swatch Group's Omega division and immediately revamped the Hublot collection by introducing the Big Bang Chronograph at Basel in April 2005.
Hublot Big Bang Golf, Image from Time Unique
The oversized watch was a major boon for sales and received numerous awards and accolades, including the prestigious Design Prize at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix.
Hublot has earned a reputation for producing unconventional watches and for breaking the rules of the watchmaking industry.
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