PoT October 2014 – Hublot factory tour – 2nd part

Oct 20, 2014,13:28 PM
 

Dear PuristS,

This is the second part of the Hublot factory tour report, where I'd like to share pictures regarding one of the most interesting part of our tour: the discovery of Magic Gold. You can find the first part here.

First of all, you have to know that Hublot defines itself as < >. Indeed, we can appreciate many different proposals from the brand. And the most striking of their solution is undoubtedly the "Magic Gold". From the Hublot catalogue:

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Making Magic Gold is a complex process: a boron carbide powder is pre-formed by cold isostatic pressing in moulds very similar in shape to that of finished parts. The preforms are then hardened at very high temperatures to create a rigid, porous structure without altering the shape. After this, molten gold is injected under very high pressure. This enables the liquid metal to fill the pores of the ceramic, to form a "fusion" of the two in a single new material: Magic Gold.>>

The effort put in fine tuning the metallurgy process to obtain the Magic Gold and the proven courage of this huge investment make me think that Hublot wants to be an absolute Avant-Garde Leader in the contemporary watchmaking industry. And, most of all, the results of these commitment is not an end in itself, since the results are (and will be) highly desireable and beautiful timepieces.

Now, let's go to the pictures.

Semifinished parts




Our very kind guide, Mr. Chin, and the all-new machinery that makes the Magic Gold parts: due to the hardness of the material, it needs a looooooot of time. If I've correctly understood: Hublot can realize something like 4 watches in a week!




The man behind the Magic Gold, Senad Hasanovic, showing the very first Hublot made of Magic Gold, the Big Bang 45 mm. Ferrari, and some parts.




















Comparing a ceramic piece (very light) with a Magic Gold piece (quite heavy). Could you see the sparkling tiny particles of gold?













Ciao, 

 

Elio


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4 pieces a week? Wow...

 
 By: KIH : October 20th, 2014-15:30
... no wonder we don't see it everyday everywhere.... Must be so complex and hard to make the perfect examples..... Thanks for another great report, Elio! Ken

You're right: the problem is Magic Gold's hardness, but...

 
 By: heartbreaker : October 21st, 2014-00:52
You're right: the problem is Magic Gold's hardness, but Mr. Biver told us that an all-new, exclusive machine is almost ready to be installed. They will be able to finish 4 pieces a day, if I remember well. We have to recognize that Hublot really believes ...