The Artist Of Fusion

LVMH brands tend to exude incomparable luxury. Under CEO Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot feels like a rebellious start-up that just happens to make luxurious timepieces

- JONATHAN HO

HUBLOT IS REBELLIOUS, innovative and sadly, often misunderstood. It’s a brand, however, that I’ve come to love after getting over my cynicism but more importantly, through the lens of Japanese culture, come to appreciate the aesthetics which have allowed the brand to influence other Japanese designers. Under CEO Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot is perhaps one of the rarified LVMH brands with underdog start-up energy as its Chief translates the commercial pragmatism required to push the brand into its next evolution.

At the concept stages of the Classic Fusion Original, was there any discussion to go back all the way to do the MDM Geneve style of it?

Yes, but for me, there’s really one rule ‒ don’t repeat the past. It’s okay to be inspired by it but not to repeat it. The MDM Geneve was done in the ’80s and if you do it again in 2023, things have changed. Furthermore, there has also been an evolution in technology in machines and the materials. So why shouldn’t I use now ceramic? That didn’t exist at that time. For me, the brands that make an exact replica are making a mistake. Maybe I’m wrong but it’s my opinion.

Let’s address the elephant in the room – the Classic Fusion uses a stock movement and it’s expensive for that price. However, I feel in terms of design aesthetics, and given its reception in the Japanese market, it is definitely a beautiful watch. How do you react to criticism like this? Do you think it’s fair?