As a part of their world tour, most of the notable
novelties of 2012 came to Tokyo (some were
unfortunately missing) and I had an opportunity to see, handle, and take
pics, thanks to Hublot Japan and Hublot Boutique
Ginza.
Overall, the new line-up is solid one - as always, some hate some, some
love some, YMMV - and I had a good time and fun trying on each of
them. Totally new in-house movement - Classic Fusion
Extra-Thin manual
winding, Unico GMT, Unico Big Bang Ferrari - are fun to handle and wear,
and I am sorry that I missed Ferrari Magic Gold and Skeleton
Tourbillon. Would love to see them when the sample becomes
available.
In the meantime, if you encounter any one of the novelties near you in
the
future, please post the pics and what you think about it.
Let us go through one by one.
1. Classic Fusion Extra-Thin Skeleton
As many have pointed out, this is one standing-out model of this
year.
Very thin (movement 2.9mm, case 8.6mm, if I remember right="Extra-thin"
for Hublot!) and interesting dial view (literally
skeleton or not), and MANUAL winding. There are Titanium and
Pink Gold
(King Gold) versions. Although the spec says 45mm, thanks to
the thinness and
thick bezel and short and curved-in lugs, it doesn't look big on the
wrist. Would
fit well with business attire.
HUB1300 movement -
Power reserve 90 hours.
Titanium:
515.NX.0170.LR
The
rounded side gives elegance.
Interesting and attractive dial design.
Again, please don't start whether skeleton or not argument
Manual
winding new in-house movement.
Extra-thin for Hublot.
King Gold
version.
King Gold -
515.OX.0180.LR
2.
Oceanographic 1000
This model is least known, even
to Hublot staff. Lighter variation of its 4000M model with
chronograph.
Titanium - 732.NX.1127.RX, LE
of 1000
The
inner bezel crown is now placed at 10 o'clock, with PVD Titanium cover
(opened)
Cover
opened from above.
Chronograph pusher is protected by the screwed in
cylinder - you have to unscrew the cylinder cover to start and stop the
chronograph (presumably unusable in the water).
48mm, but not as big as I
thought.
Of
course, it is still thick.
Tang
buckle only for easy use with the thick divers' glove.
1000MM
is a bit less thick (top) than the 4000M counterpart.
New
variation of 4000M model - the below "Denim" with white stitch strap is
the Boutique Only Edition.
New
All Black Blue model.
731.QX.1190.GR.ABB12
King
Gold White model.
731.OE.2180.RW
King
Gold model.
731.OX.1170.RX
3. Big Bang
Ferrari Titanium LE of 1000
I really wanted to
see the Magic Gold version, but this one with titanium color would be
many people's choice. Very chic and low profile
machine.
Titanium -
401.NX.0123.GR
The
numbers on the index are said to be similar to the ones on Ferrari - can
any owner verify?
The
Unico rotor is shaped like the wheel cover.
Look
at the chronograph start/stop buttons - shaped like the car
pedals.
See
this video how the buttons work - very, very light (or feather) touch and cool-looking Chronograph
buttons.
Like
Oceanographic, the a trapezoid-shaped push button in the middle of the
lugs releases the strap for easy change.
Side
is carbon.
Very
handsome watch to wear, I can tell you.
4. King
Power Unico All Carbon
701.QX.0140.RX
5. King
Power Unico Titanium
701.NX.0170.RX
6. King
Power Unico King Gold Carbon
701.OQ.0180.RX
7. King
Power Maradona LE of
500
716.CI.1129.RX.DMA11
See
the minute dial for the chronograph is 45 minutes? For soccer
game, of course!
King
Gold Ceramic model - LE of
200
716.OM.1129.RX.DMA12
8. King
Power UEFA EURO 2012TM Ukraine
LE of 250
716.OM.1129.RX.EUR12
UEFA
EURO 2012 logo printed on the display back glass.
USFA
EURO 2012TM Poland LE of
500
716.NM.1129.RX.EUR12
9. King
Power Unico GMT Ceramic
Operation is easier than
you might think. Pressing the push button on 2 o'clock
advances all the four round discs on the dial by half an hour.
Now you see the watch says 4 o'clock and look at what "Tokyo" indicates
- 16, which is 16:00 and it is 4pm. Then you see Hong Kong
indicates 15 and it is 3PM, etc.... As with most of the GMT
watches, this can't figure out summer time and such. And I
assume that there will be various versions for many other places on the
dial.... There may be various opinions on this, but this is an
interesting way to do
it.
771.CI.1170.RX
Now
you see London....
King
Gold Ceramic model.
771.OM.1170.RX
Okay,
folks, that is about it. What do you think? What is
your favorite this year?
Again, many thanks to Hublot
Japan and Hublot Boutique
Ginza.
Ken
This message has been edited by KIH on 2012-04-15 02:41:10 This message has been edited by KIH on 2012-05-22 22:27:43