Hublot Watches

Hublot is a relatively young but well-known Swiss watch company. In 1976, the representative of an ancient dynasty in Milan, known for Breil watches manufacturing, Carlo Crocco, having moved to Switzerland, founded the MDM Geneve (Montre des Montres) firm  and started to design watches, which he called Hublot (a French word for — "illuminator or porthole"). As a result, Swiss movements blended with features of Italian design, having given birth to the world famous Hublot wrist watches for men and ladies. The first gold Hublot watches were launched by Carlo Crocco in 1980 and immediately became the ancestor of a new trend in the watch business. The fact that nobody had ever produced watches of precious metal with a strap made of rubber created a great furor. This is the fact that became the corporate identity of Hublot Swiss watch company. The design of Swiss watches is extremely interesting. The main characteristics of Hublot wrist watches are their big and gorgeous size, the porthole-shaped case, combining polished and matte metal parts, the minimalist black dial and distinctive black strap made of genuine rubber. Among the first Hublot's fans and admirers were the members of the royal families, who often extended patronage to Hublot. Some time later a lot of celebrities all over the world were interested in this Swiss watch brand. Carlo Crocco took chances and in just a few years Hublot watch company joined the circle of the most elite and prestigious watch brands. Today Hublot watches are classic luxury accessories. It took three years of deep researches to create this unique strap and discover the remarkable properties of genuine rubber, that possesses the ability to regeneration during the daily contact with the skin. The strap of Hublot wrist watches, consisting of two parts, is perfectly adjusted to fit a client's wrist, providing a sense of lightness, softness and incomparable comfort to their owner. In the mid-1990s, most of the world leading watchmakers focused on the rubber that had become the most popular material for the wrist watches' strap. Hence, Carlo Crocco war absolutely right when making his stake on the rubber.
According to Hublot watchmakers, rubber isn't just a fashion trend, it's the embodiment of philosophy, lifestyle and brand image, that the company gained at once. Hublot remains one of the last independent family watch companies with a unique one-product concept. With complete creative freedom Hublot has managed to preserve its unique singularity and expand the assortment, which includes complicated Swiss men's and women's watches and wrist watches released in limited edition. A distinctive feature of all Hublot wrist watches is a combination of the best traditions of Swiss watchmaking and refined design, aiming at the excellence and creativity. Hublot watches are considered to be classic watches, which are not archaic. Hublot watch brand is considered to be the recognized standard of accuracy, credibility and quality. Hublot wrist watches are suitable for everyday wearing and also for aquatic sports fans. One can use these watches everywhere – during  swimming, sailing, diving and so on. The wrist watchers are not afraid of water or other fluids and can submerge to any depth.
Carlo Crocco, fascinated by his own design development and energic activities connected with the MDM Foundation which provides charitable aid to the children from disadvantaged sectors all around the world, started looking for a person who could take over the helm of his watchmaking business. At the same time, at the turn of 2003, Jean-Claude Biver decided to take an annual vacation to have a good rest and to relax. But the inactive rest is absolutely off this man's beat.
Just at that time he met Carlo Crocco, and the pair hit it off from the start. So, in May 2004, Jean-Claude Biver took over the duties of managing director, becoming a board member and minority shareholder of the Hublot watch company. He has great plans for the company development. Jean-Claude Biver was born jn September 20, in 1949, in Luxembourg and at the age of 10 he moved to Switzerland with his family. Having graduated from the university, he immediately went to Le Brasseur. And the valley of Joux, the birthplace of Swiss watchmaking, had the largest influence on his life. Jean-Claude Biver's watchmaking career began in 1975, when he joined Audemars Piguet, and then he proceeded to working in Omega. In 1979 he got married, and in 1982 together with his friend Jacques Piguet he assumed control over Blancpain watch company that was not very popular at that time. Ten years later, Blancpain became a prosperous company. To save the company and to help it to develop well, the partners decided to sell it. In 1992, Nicolas Hayek and The Swatch Group bought Blancpain, but Jean-Claude continued holding a CEO office and remained the member of the Swatch Group steering committee until the close of 2003.
Over the next years Hublot watchmakers developed various wtrist watches entitled Hublot Big Bang, which included the following complications: tourbillon, a big date, power reserve indicator, the 1/10 seconds counter. The "Art of Merging" concept was constantly being developed, the watchmakers were searching for unusual materials and new alloys. Swiss wrist watches of Hublot were available in two versions –  with the case diameter of 41 mm and of 44 mm. In 2007, a third variant of the case diameter was put into production. There were diving wrist watches Big Bang King with a large case of 48 mm in diameter. However, it is equally appropriate for a small and big wrist.
In 2007, in February, Hublot company opened its first brand shop in Paris in Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. The second one was opened in the Byblos hotel (Saint Tropez) in summer.
As for the company incom, the numbers speak for themselves. When Jean-Claude Biver joined the firm in 2004, its money turnover was about 24 million Swiss francs. By the end of 2006, watch sales have multiplied up four times and the average company incom was 100 million Swiss franc. It'is worth mentioning, that was the assigned task for 2008.
For Hublot October, 2007, is associated with new ideas and independence: top watch company presented its first watch made entirely within its own production facilities. Hublot Mag Bang watch was developed, its design was based on a new light alloy of aluminum and magnesium (alloy AG5). This patented know-how was used in the manufacturing of movements and cases of this new Swiss watch model.
Then, Big Bang watch made of gold and ceramics was recognized as the "best watch" by Caesar magazine in Bucharest. Along with Big Bang collection, the company continues to produce Classic watches collection, that is preferred by 30 percent of Hublot clients. The number of items produced in 2007 was 24 000. After Jean-Claude Biver's arrival the popularity of Hublot brand has grown up. By the end of 2007, the annual turnover amounted to more than 150 million Swiss francs. As for the company staff, the number of employees has doubled, and now 80 people are working at Hublot company. To expand the company the building of a new factory started in December 2007, as there was a lack of space in the manufacturing department. In the beginning of 2009, the company moved to a new factory. Due to the formation of numerous branch offices Hublot has reached the international level.
The beginning of 2008 was marked by the launch of the first Big Bang watch model, designed specifically for ladies with case diameter of 38 mm, with a rim-type bezel, but without a chronograph. Then, at Baselworld 2008 Big Bang “Classic Fusion” wrist watch was presented. This Swiss wrist watch was the result of the fast development of Hublot Big Bang along the lines of improvement, elegance and sport appeal, while retaining the traditional style. There is no chronograph in this model with the case of 45 mm, so it is much thinner. Having received  the general approval, the wrist watch became one of the leading products at Baselworld, where Hublot sales beat all records. Then there was a significant turning point in the history of  Hublot watch company: on April, 24, Hublot owner Carlo Crocco sold the company to French Group LVMH, the world leader in luxury products manufacturing. Hublot company, that is rapidly developing high-end and luxury men's and women's wrist watches production, represents the brand perfectly complementing the LVMH Group manufacturing. Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot, and Ricardo Guadalupe, the General Manager, retained their positions in order to contribute to the group development associated with the art of watchmaking.
During the autumn of 2008 Big Bang Purple Carat wrist watch received at least three prizes: the fusion of gold and amethyst immediately attracted a great public attention. The watch won the second prize in "Women's Watch" category at the 6th night of the Exhibition Horlogerie in Geneva. It also was awarded with a prize for making the best jewelry in "Women's watches” category at the contest in Bahrain. And Parisian journal “Revue des Montres” awarded to Hublot wrist watch “The Best Women's Chronograph” prize.
Aerobang watch made of gold and ceramics was awarded the public Grand Prix in "Men's watch" category at the Exhibition Horlogerie in Geneva. In 2008, Jean-Claude Biver was elected the CEO at the contest “Prize for the Jewelry and Pens” in Bahrain and the Leader 2008 by Swiss magazine “PME”. For Jean-Claude Biver, 2009 began in the same vein, as the previous year, he was elected the "Man of the Year" by magazines “Orologi da Polso”, “Revue des Montres”, “GMT” and “Business Montres”. At “Fusionweek 2009” Hublot presented a completely new collection of King Power wrist watches. Still true to their philosophy, the watchmakers took another step forward. This chronograph with case diameter of 48 mm  is more powerful and more refined at the same time. The dial consists of several levels, there is a cast rubber on the bezel, and screws are slightly raised.
Jean-Claude Biver defines the marketing strategy as "a concentration on diversity." In other words, he should go where there may be prospective customers. He invests in sponsorship and partnership in various fields. The main area of investment is sailing and the partnership with  prestigious Yacht Club of Monaco (YCM), headed by His Highness Prince Albert II, the King of Monaco, Hublot ties with “Real Club Nautico de Palma” and his regatta “Hublot PalmaVela” and “Copa del Rey”, and also with “Luna Rossa” at the America's Cup in 2007. Hublot watch brand is also associated with golf, polo, skiing, motor racing and tennis. Today, Hublot brand is one of the most prestigious and top watch companies. This is a modern and dynamic brand, the products of which has simple and elegant sports design and meet the case, that is essential of modern Swiss wrist watches. From the first day Hublot has left behind its more experienced rivals and has won an honorable place among the most prestigious world watch brands. No doubt, Hublot wrist watches for men and women are really impressive.
The idea of universal design and unique movement is part and parsel of sea and travellings. The brand concept is “lean and mean” watches, independence from fleeting fashion and  minimum of repetitions. New Hublot wrist watches combine incongruous and unusual things and elements. Hublot watches for ladies amaze the public due to variety of colors - from classic black to bright blue and bright orange. Hublot has never competed with other top watch brands, but exposed only unique and innovative accessories.
Hublot wrist watch is the synonym of quality, prestige and luxury for the elite. Marvelous design of Hublot watches, their superb functionality and reliability make the watches very popular all around the world. Sparkling on your wrist these watches form the image of a very successful person. Hublot Swiss watch brand is admired by a huge number of connoisseurs of watchmaking art. The most refined society will surely appreciate Hublot watch on your wrist. After all, Hublot wrist watch can talk about the elegant taste of its owner. With Hublot Swiss watches one will be able to manage his time, to think not only about the present, but also about the future.
These watches will bracket you with the most famous people in the world.
You can buy any Hublot watches (from the Big Bang watch with wonderful diamonds to restrained Classic watch) in the corporate chain of shops all over the world.