Hublot

Part X: Jean-Claude Biver

Apr 03, 2011,02:41 AM

Hublot is Jean-Claude Biver; he doesn’t own the brand neither did he found the brand, but he is Hublot. JCB’s goal is to make Hublot a brand that will outlive him, like Ferrari without Enzo. That time will come, but right now it is difficult to imagine Hublot without him.

No one else can fill this space

Proof of JCB being a more than just a watch company CEO is found all over his office. Gifts from friends ranging from Depeche Mode to HM Sheikh Al Maktoum of Dubai are all over his office and outside in the reception area. JCB is such a compelling personality it's not difficult to imagine people, even if they are royalty or sportsmen, being drawn into the world of fusion.

Those who have met JCB uniformly describe him as passionate and larger than life. It is not just a show put on for the public, the man works really, really hard, so hard he must love his job absolutely. He says he sleeps about four hours a night and last year spent nearly 30 days on a plane.

Some snapshots of JCB's office

He must send hundreds if not thousands of emails each day, many to end consumers who contact him via the Hublot website; every email to the general Hublot email address reaches JCB.

And the famous hand-written, personal guarantee from JCB is literally a hand-written guarantee. I witness him doing about a dozen of them, which he does every day, totalling about 3000 a year. And it’s not a repetitive, mechanical exercise, each hand-written guarantee is different and personal.

Above: A day's worth of guarantees

Unlike many industry executives who are hired hands enjoying a lifestyle of perks due to their position – and some of whom seem to think they are part of the same social circles as their clients – JCB is a bona fide millionaire. Swiss business magazine Bilanz pegs JCB’s net worth at CHF150 million (and a chunk of that must be his watch collection which includes seven or eight Greubel Forsey watches). JCB works because he loves doing it.

I had to ask why almost every Hublot is black or grey or some shade in-between. JCB pointed to the steam train models he has scattered around the office, and explained he loved steam trains as a boy, and most trains are black and grey.

Who wouldn't relish making toys from your childhood?

- SJX

This message has been edited by SJX on 2011-04-03 05:17:02 This message has been edited by MTF on 2011-04-03 10:48:55

More posts: Big BangEnzoFerrariGreubel Forsey

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A visit to Hublot in Nyon

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:37

Hublot’s manufacture in Nyon, north of Geneva, was inaugurated in 2009. It sets the stage for Hublot’s second stage of growth, after the turbo-charged early years when Jean-Claude Biver first took over and grew sales ten-fold. Nyon was selected by Jean-Cl...

Part I: Parts production

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:38

For those who think Hublot merely buys Valjoux 7750 movements and case them as I did in the past, this should serve to convince you otherwise. The machining workshop is undergoing significant expansion as the photos below illustrate. Several new machines ...

Excellent! Many thanks for sharing!!!

By: Swedese : April 3rd, 2011-06:31

Part II: Component control

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:38

Parts made in-house, as well as parts sourced from external suppliers, are sent to the control department to ensure they meet standards in terms of dimensions, finish and appearance. One of the standard procedures is a video microscope to compare parts ag...

Part III: Electroplating and coating workshop

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:38

This is unusual for a watch manufacture – an in-house electroplating and coating workshop. These are not too common at watch factories, especially smaller ones like Hublot, because of the special permits required due to the hazardous chemicals neede...

Part IV: Movement assembly

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:39

Subassembly of various parts are done prior to assembly of the movement. This includes things like fitting of pinions to wheels and pressing of jewels. The movement itself is then put together in another workshop, assembly line style with each watchmaking...

Part V: Casing up

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:39

Once the movements are completed, the rest of the watch is put together. This primarily consists of fitting the dial and hands, and then casing up. The Hublot case is more complicated than the average watch case, due to the multitude of materials used. Th...

Part VI: Checks and sealing

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:39

Once completed the watches are run through a series of tests, primarily water-resistance and temperature. They are then individually inspected visually for defects. If something is amiss the watch in question is returned along with a note specifying the p...

Part VII: Confrérie Horlogère Hublot and high complications

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:40

One of the casualties of the recession was BNB Concept, a complications specialist renowned for its radical, bizarre and odd-looking complications. Hublot took over what remained of BNB Concept and integrated the team, with some 30 people including BNB co...

Part VIII: Hublot TV – the hunter becomes the hunted

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:40

Typically when I visit a manufacture I am the only one lurking around with a camera, sneaking up on unsuspecting watchmakers. But at Hublot I was relentlessly pursued by a tireless cameraman lugging a professional video camera That reflects one of Hublot&...

Part IX: The mantra of fusion

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:40

In all areas of the manufacture, the mantra of fusion is evident. Nearly everything that can reasonably be in black or grey is black or grey. The Hublot logo is everywhere, and so are Hublot clocks. Windows are porthole-shaped. Most telling of all are the...

Part X: Jean-Claude Biver

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-02:41

Wonderful post!

By: docfink : April 3rd, 2011-14:20

To me, even the "lowly" 7750 in my Ice Bang looks great through its display back. I believe it is modified to their specs, much like IWC does to their 7750. JCB is a unique, special CEO and I hope his leadership continues for some time. I also wish that H...

Superb posts JiaXian!

By: 中野れい : April 3rd, 2011-18:44

Thank you for these excellent posts! I can't help noticing the King Power watch with a white dial (looks to be a chrono, worn by one of the watch technicians) and they seem to porduce quite a number of this dial. Any info on this watch?

That is just a mock dial used during assembly

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-19:59

and then replaced with a production dial once completed. Thanks for the compliment Rei. - SJX

I see. No wonder I have never seen it before LOL

By: 中野れい : April 4th, 2011-18:17

Thanks JiaXian.

Fantastic post. Thanks SJX

By: Z3 : April 4th, 2011-00:21

Many are envious of Hublot's success and are awe at JCB's marketing prowess. However, many fail to understand that behind every success, there is a hardworking man sending out "hundreds, if not thousands emails a day, everyday"... Jon

Substance and marketing

By: jcbiver : April 4th, 2011-00:29

You are absolutely right. Behind every success there is passion, hard work, vision, courage, risk, teamwork, help and luck Marketing will only do the job, if behind you have substance. Rational substance. If that's not the case, marketing will transform y...

Wow, excellent job.

By: VMM : April 4th, 2011-03:56

Thanks for sharing these VERY interesting posts with us. It was nice to see the insides of the Hublot workshop. Cheers. Vte

SJX...this is one of your most complete reports

By: Hororgasm : April 4th, 2011-06:40

thats reaches out to not just certain watches, or manufacturing processes, but the "human" efforts and philosophy of the manufacture, in particular, its CEO. kudos once again. best, Horo

EXCELLENT POST~!

By: mikemargolis : April 4th, 2011-17:48

Thank you SJX for a spectacular report.

Mr. Biver, You make me a PROUD Hublot owner... NT

By: berly : April 23rd, 2011-20:42

Very nice!

By: marcus75 : April 23rd, 2011-23:12

love the passion of the CEO!

Fascinating report about a fantadtic brand. Thanks for sharing!

By: luc00 : May 22nd, 2011-15:35

Superb report!

By: rennsport : December 1st, 2011-05:49

This year I missed my chance to visit Geneva and the factory. This post made me want to go NOW! Thank you for sharing.

I have been waiting for your report, SJX!

By: KIH : April 3rd, 2011-06:27

I have been a big fan of Depeche Mode since their debut when I was a high school kid. Mr. Biver failed to mention that name when I interviewed him in the cab in Tokyo late night... Just kidding, Mr. Biver Seriously, though, this report will change people'...

Thank you

By: jcbiver : April 3rd, 2011-07:34

Fabulous report about Hublot The best and most complete I have ever seen! Thank you very much and congratulation To any Hublot owner, I encourage you all to send me copy of your guarantee with case number and your home address in order that I can send you...

incredible post !

By: squadra : April 3rd, 2011-11:44

I am speechless ! This is so thorough and well photographed ! Thank you very much for sharing this moment with us !

Thanks for being such a great host

By: SJX : April 3rd, 2011-20:43

and letting me see practically everything at the manufacture. There is certainly a special spirit at Nyon that other manufactures do not have. - SJX

Mr Biver, you are a model CEO

By: Hororgasm : April 4th, 2011-06:37

and a marketing genius! i was at one of the dinners you hosted, and i must say, you are also the most entertaining watch company CEO I can think off !! your direct approach to business and generosity to charities are well known, and i iwsh and Hublot more...

A Model and CEO

By: SJX : April 4th, 2011-08:46

I thought this would be relevant. Model with Hublot and CEO of Hublot. She is Veronica Varekova, a friend of Hublot and saviour of African wildlife. - SJX...

Amazing! I am so much looking forward to the day I have saved enough money for a Big Bang!

By: Swedese : April 3rd, 2011-17:27

I appreciate Hublot even more after this report !!

Thanks for the wonderful Hublot factory visit

By: AnthonyTsai : April 3rd, 2011-08:51

Your report will definitely open people's eyes that Hublot isn't just about 7750 watches. This is also one of the reasons why we have opened up a Hublot forum on PuristSPro. I've never owned a Hublot watch before but I look forward to visiting the upcomin...

This is the factory

By: MTF : April 3rd, 2011-11:03

that I missed visiting last year due to insufficient time for Mr Biver and me to sneak away from Baselworld 2010: click here Thanks SJX for finally covering the 'new' factory for PuristS to fulfil our promise to visit. Another attraction in Nyons is the 1...

Part X: Jean-Claude Biver

A visit to Hublot in Nyon

Part I: Parts production

Excellent! Many thanks for sharing!!!

Part II: Component control

Part III: Electroplating and coating workshop

Part IV: Movement assembly

Part V: Casing up

Part VI: Checks and sealing

Part VII: Confrérie Horlogère Hublot and high complications

Part VIII: Hublot TV – the hunter becomes the hunted

Part IX: The mantra of fusion

Part X: Jean-Claude Biver

Wonderful post!

Superb posts JiaXian!

That is just a mock dial used during assembly

I see. No wonder I have never seen it before LOL

Fantastic post. Thanks SJX

Substance and marketing

Wow, excellent job.

SJX...this is one of your most complete reports

EXCELLENT POST~!

Mr. Biver, You make me a PROUD Hublot owner... NT

Very nice!

Fascinating report about a fantadtic brand. Thanks for sharing!

Superb report!

I have been waiting for your report, SJX!

Thank you

incredible post !

Thanks for being such a great host

Mr Biver, you are a model CEO

A Model and CEO

Amazing! I am so much looking forward to the day I have saved enough money for a Big Bang!

Thanks for the wonderful Hublot factory visit

This is the factory

Thanks a lot for this comprehensive report SJX.

There were some photos I didn't publish. ;-) [nt]

Wonderful,detailed and well written report.Congrats

amazing !!!

Amazing post

Wonderful!

You should take a look at the new Big Bang Leopard. [nt]

Very informative series of posts

Wonderful to see what goes on. I too hope I can get time to visit one day

Come and visit us

Thank you Jean-Claude! I shall, one day.

No, I will not be in Hong Kong this weekend

Great Report

I remember that