Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Hublot Classic Fusion Essential Grey (Volume III)
The Classic Fusion becomes the third model to receive the monochromatic Essential Grey treatment
One of Hublot’s more recent specialities has been the Essential Grey treatment of popular models, which essentially turns them into monochromatic variants for collectors. This started with the Big Bang Unico Essential Grey and continued with the Spirit of Big Bang Essential Grey, and now we have a third instalment, the Classic Fusion Essential Grey. Two Classic Fusion models, 42mm and 45mm, are included for 2024 in what’s become an annual tradition and feature titanium cases for that monochrome aesthetic.
As mentioned, there’s a 42mm and 45mm Essential Grey model in satin-brushed/polished titanium with all of the Classic Fusion highlights: an integrated bracelet, six external and functional screws with H-shaped heads on a satin-finished bezel and a simple time/date-only design. Unlike most manufacturers, the difference in case size goes beyond just looks, as each has its own distinctive movement designed for the case volume. Perhaps a bit superfluous, but cool nonetheless. Both come with a matching grey rubber/grey fabric strap with a stainless steel deployant buckle. An AR sapphire crystal protects the dial, and there’s a sapphire exhibition caseback.
The 42mm case has a height of 10.4mm and uses the HUB1110 calibre with 25 jewels, a beat rate of 28,800vph (4Hz) and a power reserve of 42 hours. It’s only 3.61mm in height for the smaller case. The 45mm case has a height of 10.95mm and comes with the HUB1112 calibre, that’s thicker at 4.26mm. Relevant specs are otherwise the same, so there are no performance advantages with either model. Both movements are based on the Sellita SW300-1 automatic (itself based on ETA’s 2892A). Functions are limited to central hours, minutes, hacking seconds and date. The two models have a water-resistance rating of 50 metres.
The dials are nigh identical with a grey sunburst finish and faceted applied indices. There are matching, baton-style hour and minute hands and the seconds hand has Hublot’s logo as a counterweight. A date window sits at 3 o’clock. The overall aesthetic is much simpler than Hublot’s louder pieces, including the other two Essential Grey collections, but the Classic Fusion is based on the brand’s original piece from 1980, a 1970s-inspired integrated luxury sports watch.
Despite the difference in case size, both models share a price of CHF 7,700, EUR 8,800, USD 8,500 or GBP 7,300. They are exclusively available online and are part of Hublot’s permanent collection. For more information and to place an order, please visit Hublot’s website.
2 responses
Perhaps a bit superfluous? I tip my hat to Hublot for understanding that designing a movement befitting of the case is essential if you want to get balance in your overall design.
Patek Philippe has been flogging jumbo sized Calatrava’s for decades now, all with huge spacers around the movement and a small seconds complication that seemed to snuggle up to the central axis as if it were a puppy dog, and they should be ashamed of themselves at that pricepoint.
That being said, Hublot botched it. The date placement on what seems to be the smaller one is too far to the center, compared to the correct placement on the other one. Regrettably the large iteration is too large.
Nice try, commendable and all, but I don’t feel these movements were “designed” for these watches, they were simply grabbed off the shelf, otherwise such a faux pas wouldn’t occur.
@Chris Both movements are Sellita based, hence the comment. If these were in-house designs, it’d be a different story. It’s still a step above the norm, so hats off to them.