Kαι η «μικρή» ιστορία της Hublot...
HUBLOT, THE « HISTORY » Hublot defied convention in 1980 when the Company created the solid gold Hublot watch fitted with the first black strap in natural rubber from the history of watchmaking. It has become the definitive pioneer inspiration for today’s numerous trends. Creator Carlo Crocco acquired strong notions of beauty growing up in a family of watchmakers in Italy, and by 1967 had designed his first watch. In 1980 he established his own company, MDM Gen?ve, hoping to create a watch above fashion, whose elegant and sporty design would be appreciated the world over. He was determined to develop a watch that not only had pure lines and a respect for the materials used, but one that transcended changing fashions and could be worn in both elegant and informal situations. His first rule was simplicity: no superfluous design elements. The look was modeled after a porthole (Hublot in French) and twelve titanium screws anchored the bezel to the case, marking the hours in a confluence of form and function. For the strap, Carlo Crocco decided leather was too fragile. He had an ingenious vision: Rubber. After three years of research, the revolutionary rubber strap was ready for production. Supple, light, and highly durable, the strap also had a delicate vanilla scent. The corrosion-resistant strap was also reinforced with invisible steel inserts and sported an innovative double-hinged clasp, ensuring a solid attachment to both the wearer's wrist and the watch itself. The fabulous case in porthole shape with a dashing combination of polished and brushed precious metal and the minimalist black dial were the perfect shell for the unmistakable Hublot black natural rubber strap, delicately scented with vanilla. The one of a kind Hublot was born. The sparkle of this timekeeper has been enhanced by the simultaneous presentation of a cover watch reinforcing the image of the porthole. Colleagues and competitors were dubious when Carlo Crocco presented the Hublot watch at Basel Fair in 1980, but were soon won over as it went on to become the "Sensation" of the year. The Hublot became instantly recognizable, its swift acceptance surpassing all expectations. Members of several royal families spontaneously showed their enthusiasm for the Hublot, and it soon became the choice of the world's leading personalities. Carlo Crocco had taken a bold risk, and in a few short years Hublot watches were elevated into the exclusive circle of prestige Swiss watchmaking houses. In the mid-1990's, natural rubber came to the attention of renowned watchmakers as evidenced by their recent models. This fact proves the validity of the choices that led to the creation of the Hublot watch and reinforce its status as a "Classic". For Hublot, the rubber is not a fashion trend but it represents its philosophy, a way of life and the trade-mark of the brand since the very first day. Hublot is one of the last independent Family owned watch companies with a unique monoproduct concept. The total freedom of creation and its exclusive personality allows the collection to enlarge to 3 lines in a total realm of design; ?Classic? Sport? and Elegant?, including accessible complications and the unmistakable ?Art Collection?. Composed of Limited Series adorned by outstanding enamel or superbly engraved dials, realised with the collaboration of the most talented and renowned Master Craftsmen, each in their specific technique, the ?Art Collection? presents personalised pieces like no others that contribute to the enrichment of the entire Hublot collection.
Carlo Crocco, busy with his work as the founder and President of the MDM Foundation, a charity helping underprivileged children across the world, was looking for the right man to take the helm of his watchmaking business. On Wednesday 2 May 2 nd, 2004, Jean-Claude Biver took up his post as CEO of Hublot watches, with a seat on the Board, his head full of amazing plans for the company's growth and future development. At the end of 2003, Jean-Claude Biver decided to take a year's sabbatical to take stock and rest a little. But this man is a stranger to rest. It was then that he met Carlo Crocco the genius who, in 1980, launched Hublot, the gold watch shaped like a porthole with the first rubber bracelet in the history of watchmaking and the first doublehinged clasp. The meeting was an immediate success, Carlo Crocco had, of course, followed Jean Claude Biver's career and sensed he was the man for the job. Jean-Claude Biver is one of those rare men who have genuinely left their mark on Swiss watchmaking. He is born in Luxembourg on 20 September 1949, and his family moved to Switzerland when he was 10. The birthplace of fine watchmaking, the Joux Valley was to have a profound effect on his life. Jean-Claude Biver worked hard to hone his skills from 1975 when he joined Audemars Piguet. In 1981, with his friend Jacques Piguet, he bought the dormant Blancpain brand. It was this intuition which gave birth to the Blancpain concept at a time when quartz had become king. The two partners decided to protect the brand's identity, appointing themselves guardians of watchmaking's heritage and returning to its origins. Ten years after its creation, the company was flourishing. Despite this, the two partners decided to sell, to protect the company and enable it to develop in a balanced manner. Nicolas Hayek and the Swatch Group bought Blancpain in 1992, but Jean-Claude Biver remained as Managing Director and joined the board of Swatch until end of 2003. Jean-Claude Biver is undoubtedly enjoying is new challenge as a CEO of Hublot watches with a seat on the Board, preparing the company's growth and future development and the launch of Hublot’s new guiding principle, the "Fusion", fusion of unusual materials such as gold with ceramic, Tantalum and red gold, magnesium and Titanium with rubber ? and the fusion of movements combining Swiss watch making tradition and Visionary watch making Art of the 21 st century. The result is the presentation in April 2005, a short year after his arrival, of the Hublot ?Big Bang? chronograph, latest icon of Hublot totally re-dynamising the brand. A few months later, the Big Bang is winning numerous outstanding international Awards: The prestigious ?Best Design 2005? Prize in the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix in November 2005 has been a major acknowledgement, followed by the prize of ?Best Oversized Watch? in the Watch of the Year Award of the Middle East in Bahrain in December 2005 and another great acclaim was to win the ?Best Sports Professional? category in the prestigious Watch of the Year 2005 Award in Japan. Hublot has also set sail in sponsoring different nautical events thus confirming its legitimacy with the sea. These events are perfectly coherent with the rebirth of Hublot; ?Our timekeeping for the Yacht Club de Monaco is a unique opportunity for us to reinforce our presence in the Yachting world. Today, Hublot wishes to re-dynamise its fusion concept internationally. There could be no better partner with whom to achieve that than the Yacht Club de Monaco and we are very proud to become official time keeper of its prestigious regattas around the Mediterranean Sea and the Monaco Classic Week in particular.? Hublot has also been appointed Official Timekeeper of Wally, the most prestigious builder of sailing and motor yachts in the world and the largest fleet of modern boats over 24 metres in length. Now Hublot not only invests its energies in performance, but also in the quest for the fusion.
