Hublot

{{More citations needed|section|date=October 2017}}

A scion of the Italian Binda Group dynasty, best known for making Breil watches, Carlo Crocco left the company in 1976, to start a watch company. Moving to Switzerland he formed MDM Geneve and set about designing a watch that he named the Hublot after the French word for "porthole". The watch that he created featured the first natural rubber strap in the history of watchmaking.{{cite news| url=https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/26614| title=Timing is everything – watchmaker Carlo Crocco| magazine=Entrepreneur| last=Weinstein| first=Bob| date=1 July 1996}} It took three years of research to create the strap. Despite failing to attract a single potential customer on the first day of its debut at the 1980, Basel Watch Fair, the watch quickly proved to be a commercial success with sales in excess of $US2 million in its first year.

Crocco, preoccupied by his own design work and many activities for the Hand-in-Hand Foundation, a charity helping deprived children all around the world, set out to look for someone to who oversee Hublot. In late 2003, Jean-Claude Biver, then president of Swatch Group's Omega division,{{cite news| url=http://www.jckonline.com/article/286827-Sofisti_to_resign_as_president_of_Swatch_WorldWide.php| title=Sofisti to resign as president of Swatch WorldWide| magazine=Jewelers' Circular Keystone| date=18 October 2004| access-date=7 March 2010| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930053649/http://www.jckonline.com/article/286827-Sofisti_to_resign_as_president_of_Swatch_WorldWide.php| archive-date=30 September 2011}} met Crocco, and in May 2004, Biver assumed duties as CEO, becoming a board member and minority shareholder in Hublot Watches.

Upon his arrival, Biver set about creating a new flagship collection that was unveiled in Basel in April 2005, with the Hublot "[https://sukitir.com/fintechzoom-hublot-spirit-best-collaboration/#What_Is_Hublot Big Bang]" chronograph. It was an immediate success and orders increased threefold in one year. A few months later, in November 2005, the Big Bang chronograph was awarded internationally, receiving the "2005 Design Prize" in the "Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix", the "Sports Watch Prize" at the "Watch of the Year" ceremony in Japan, and the Middle Eastern Prize for the "Best Oversized Watch" at the Editor’s Choice "Watch of the Year" in Bahrain. Following the arrival of Biver in 2004, the brand's sales were 24 million Swiss francs and by the end of 2006, sales were close to 100 million Swiss franc.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

File:Warsaw, Hublot Boutique.jpg]]

{{As of|2019}}, Hublot had 169 Boutiques{{cite press release |title=Hublot Arrives In Piazza di Spagna, At The Foot of the Finest Steps in Rome |publisher=Hublot |date=11 June 2019 |url=https://www.hublot.com/en-us/event/hublot-arrives-piazza-di-spagna-foot-finest-steps-rome}} in several countries. In February 2007, Hublot opened its first mono-brand store in Paris, in the Rue Saint-Honoré. The second was opened in the summer of that year, in the Hôtel Byblos, Saint-Tropez. Today, Hublot has store on Bond Street, London. United States locations include Bal Harbour, Beverly Hills, Boca Raton, Dallas, Houston, two in Las Vegas, New York, Palm Beach and Scottsdale.{{citation needed|date=July 2021}}

In April 2008, luxury goods group LVMH announced it had acquired Hublot from Crocco for an undisclosed fee, adding to its existing portfolio of watch brands including TAG Heuer.{{cite news| url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=acHsyEHN_4SU&refer=france| title=LVMH to Buy Swiss Time| newspaper=Toronto Star| date=25 April 2008| access-date=1 December 2021}}

At BaselWorld 2009, Hublot unveiled a new method of detecting counterfeit watches. Using a smart card, the system authenticates watches on Hublot's servers. The system went live in August 2009.{{cite news| url=http://www.fhs.ch/en/news/news.php?id=693| title=Hublot With WISeKey To Fight Imitations| website=Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry| date=8 April 2008| access-date=7 March 2010| archive-date=25 December 2010| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225181558/http://www.fhs.ch/en/news/news.php?id=693| url-status=dead}}

• The Hublot Big Bang Sang Bleu II, available in titanium or king gold.{{cite web| title=Insider: Hublot Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu II. A Horological Multifaceted Wrist Sculpture.| url=https://www.watchcollectinglifestyle.com/home/hublot-big-bang-unico-sang-bleu-ii-introducing-review| access-date=2020-07-14| website=Watch Collecting Lifestyle}}
• The Hublot Big Bang Meca-10, available in titanium, magic gold, or king gold.{{Cite web|title=Hublot Big Bang MECA-10 18K King Gold. Hands-on with the Newest Addition to the Big Bang MECA-10 Family.|url=https://www.watchcollectinglifestyle.com/home/hublot-big-bang-meca-10-18k-king-gold-hands-on-with-the-newest-addition-to-the-big-bang-meca-10-family|access-date=2020-07-14|website=Watch Collecting Lifestyle}}
• The Hublot Big Bang Unico GMT, available in titanium or carbon fiber.{{Cite web|title=Insider: Hublot Big Bang Unico GMT Titanium and Big Bang Unico GMT Carbon Fibre. Hands-on with a Very Practical GMT Watch.|url=https://www.watchcollectinglifestyle.com/home/hublot-big-bang-unico-gmt-titanium-carbon-fiber-hands-on-review|access-date=2020-07-14|website=Watch Collecting Lifestyle}}

File:2011-02-27 Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset 03.jpg in Oslo]]

To increase the public profile of their brand Hublot have engaged in a number of sponsorship deals. In 2008, they agreed a sponsorship deal with the football club Manchester United, worth £4 million a year.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7700407.stm|title=Man Utd sponsor deal for Hublot |publisher=BBC News |date=30 October 2008| access-date=7 March 2010}} Later, Hublot started endorsing some top football clubs like FC Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain, Ajax Amsterdam.

In 2019, Hublot became the first watch brand to work with ICC when the brand was announced as official time keeper for cricket's flagship event, 2019 ICC cricket world cup co-hosted by England and Wales.{{cite press release| title=Hublot Takes Its Guard For The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019| url=https://www.hublot.com/en/news/hublot-takes-its-guard-for-the-icc-cricket-world-cup-2019| date=29 May 2019| publisher=Hublot| access-date=22 September 2019| archive-date=22 September 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922164038/https://www.hublot.com/en/news/hublot-takes-its-guard-for-the-icc-cricket-world-cup-2019| url-status=dead}}

In 2015, the company signed an agreement with San Lorenzo de Almagro of Argentina.

They provided special versions of their Big Bang watches to referees officiating at UEFA Euro 2008. In March 2010, Hublot was appointed the Official Watchmaker of Formula 1.{{cite news|url=http://www.formula1.com/news/headlines/2010/3/10521.html|title=Hublot appointed official F1 watchmaker|publisher=Formula 1|date=13 March 2010| access-date=7 March 2010}} Hublot have released a number of Formula One themed watches, including celebrating the return of the US Grand Prix to Austin, Texas, US in November 2012, with the [http://www.rgholland.com/blog/hublot-f1-king-power-austin/ Hublot F1 King Power Austin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325173122/http://www.rgholland.com/blog/hublot-f1-king-power-austin/ |date=25 March 2013 }}.{{cite news| title=New Watch Alert: Hublot F1 King Power Austin| url=http://www.rgholland.com/blog/hublot-f1-king-power-austin/| website=R.G. Holland| date=October 2012| access-date=24 October 2012| archive-date=25 March 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325173122/http://www.rgholland.com/blog/hublot-f1-king-power-austin/| url-status=dead}}

In April 2010, Hublot became the official time keeper of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup.[http://www.v-brazil.com/world-cup/2014/law-bureaucracy-airport-building-easier/ Hublot becomes Official Timekeeper for next two FIFA World Cups] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816220332/http://www.v-brazil.com/world-cup/2014/law-bureaucracy-airport-building-easier/ |date=16 August 2014 }}. 15 April 2010, FIFA. Accessed 14 June 2010.{{failed verification|date=November 2021}} They have also been involved in a tie-up with the Financial Times, sponsoring the newspaper's iPad app.{{cite news| url=http://www.newsonnews.net/print/3439-ft-app-wins-award.html| title=FT App Wins Award| website=News on News| date=10 June 2010| access-date=7 March 2010| archive-date=15 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100615223036/http://www.newsonnews.net/print/3439-ft-app-wins-award.html| url-status=dead}}

Hublot and Ferrari announced during the 2011, Ferrari World Finals at Mugello a long-term strategic partnership which will officially start on 1 January 2012, making Hublot Ferrari's "Official Watch" and "Official Timekeeper".{{cite news|url=http://www.toried.com/news.php?pid=281|title=Hublot becomes Ferrari's official timekeeper |website=Toried |date=7 November 2011| access-date=24 January 2012}} The partnership has so far been built on two watches: the Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Magic Gold and Big Bang Ferrari Titanium.{{cite news| title=Hublot-Ferrari Tour Continues To Hong Kong| url=http://www.rgholland.com/blog/hublot-ferrari-hong-kong/| website=R.G. Holland| date=October 2012| access-date=24 October 2012| archive-date=30 January 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130035439/http://www.rgholland.com/blog/hublot-ferrari-hong-kong/| url-status=dead}}

The company also the sponsors of the National Basketball Association's Los Angeles Lakers and Miami Heat.

They were also the sponsors of the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2011 in Oslo.

Hublot continued its sponsorship and partnership activities in 2012 with becoming the Official Watch of the UEFA EURO 2012 tournament and Official Timekeeper of the tournament.{{cite news| title=Hublot Appointed Official Watch of UEFA EURO 2012| url=http://www.thewatchreviewsite.co.uk/hublot-appointed-official-watch-of-uefa-euro-2012/| website=The Watch Review Site| date=March 2012| access-date=2 July 2012| archive-date=10 September 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910052859/http://www.thewatchreviewsite.co.uk/hublot-appointed-official-watch-of-uefa-euro-2012/| url-status=dead}}

In April 2012, Hublot Partnered the Swiss Confederation at the World Expo 2012 in South Korea, a 3-month world event, where countries have the opportunity to promote themselves to the world.{{cite news| title=Hublot partner The Swiss Confederation| url=http://www.thewatchreviewsite.co.uk/hublot-partner-the-swiss-confederation/| website=The Watch Review Site| date=April 2012| access-date=2 July 2012| archive-date=18 August 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120818233111/http://www.thewatchreviewsite.co.uk/hublot-partner-the-swiss-confederation/| url-status=dead}} and displayed its new Divers Watch the [http://www.thewatchreviewsite.co.uk/hublot-oceanographic-4000-king-gold-white/ Hublot Oceanographic 4000 King Gold White], which has been tested to a water resistance of 5,000 m and is certified water resistant to 4,000 m.{{cite news| title=Hublot Oceanographic 4000 King Gold White| url=http://www.thewatchreviewsite.co.uk/hublot-oceanographic-4000-king-gold-white/| website=The Watch Review Site| date=June 2012| access-date=2 July 2012| archive-date=2 July 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702041748/http://www.thewatchreviewsite.co.uk/hublot-oceanographic-4000-king-gold-white/| url-status=dead}}

Hublot also partnered with the Archaeological Museum of Athens in presenting Hublot's "Tribute to the Antikythera Mechanism" movement. The Hublot movement officially joined the National Museum's collection on 5 April 2012, and will now be on display alongside the remains of the original mechanism.{{cite news| title=Hublot forms a connection with the Archaeological Museum of Athens| url=http://www.thewatchreviewsite.co.uk/hublot-forms-a-connection-with-the-archaeological-museum-of-athens/| website=The Watch Review Site| date=April 2012| access-date=2 July 2012| archive-date=26 October 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026005857/http://www.thewatchreviewsite.co.uk/hublot-forms-a-connection-with-the-archaeological-museum-of-athens/| url-status=dead}}

In January 2013, Scuderia Ferrari had Hublot as its official sponsor for 2013, 2014 and 2015 F1 Season.

In November 2015, Hublot was the official timekeeper and a major sponsor of the inaugural WBSC Premier12 international baseball tournament held in Taiwan and Japan, promoting their partnership with the motto, "Hublot Loves Baseball."{{cite press release |url=http://www.hublot.com/en/news/hublot-partners-with-the-world-baseball-softball-confederation |title=Hublot Partners With the World Baseball Softball Confederation |access-date=20 November 2015 |archive-date=22 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622013708/http://www.hublot.com/en/news/hublot-partners-with-the-world-baseball-softball-confederation |url-status=dead }}

In August 2015, Hublot was announced as the new official timekeeper of the UEFA Champions League, starting from the 2015–16 season.

In February 2019, the company signed an agreement with Club Olimpia from Paraguay.

In September 2020, Hublot was announced as the new official timekeeper of the Premier League, starting from the 2020–21 season.

From 2021, Hublot is no longer listed as a sponsor for Scuderia Ferrari, being replaced by Richard Mille.{{cite web| title=Scuderia ferrari official partners| url=https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/formula1/partners/share/intro| access-date=2021-01-01| website=Ferrari| language=en}}

In 2024, Hublot again became the Official Watch for the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament and being appointed as the Official Timekeeper for the event.

File:Noch 74 Tage bis zur UEFA EURO 2024, Munich.jpg in front of Munich Airport ]]

At the opening ceremony for its first store in Beijing, Biver introduced Jet Li as Hublot's next brand ambassador. Li is the brand's first Asian ambassador as well as the first film star to work as a Hublot ambassador. Other brand ambassadors have included Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna's family and Institute; world's fastest man Usain Bolt;{{cite press release| url=http://www.hublot.com/en/#/NEWS/1921| title=Hublot and Usain Bolt celebrate opening| publisher=Hublot| date=29 September 2011| access-date=29 September 2011}} designer Samuel Ross;{{cite journal| last=Clark| first=Imogen| title=Samuel Ross announced as new Hublot ambassador| magazine=The Glass Magazine| url=https://www.theglassmagazine.com/samuel-ross-announced-as-new-hublot-ambassador/| access-date=2021-04-03| language=en-GB}} France and PSG player Kylian Mbappé; football player Pelé; American boxer Floyd Mayweather, Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma and formerly, the Manchester United football team, golfers Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose and Patrick Reed.{{cite news| url=http://www.watchestrends.com/hublot-announces-jet-li-as-legendary-brand-ambassador.html|url-status=usurped| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110826063656/http://www.watchestrends.com/hublot-announces-jet-li-as-legendary-brand-ambassador.html| title=Hublot Announces Jet Li as Legendary Brand Ambassador| archive-date=26 August 2011| author=Kevin |website=Watches Trends| date=1 December 2010}}

Hublot has also developed a network of Friend of the Brand in the fields football, gastronomy, arts and sports. These include 2018 Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg, football coaches José Mourinho, Gareth Southgate, and Didier Deschamps, tennis players Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina, chefs Yannick Alléno and Paul Pairet. Former footballer Diego Maradona was a Hublot Friend of the Brand until his death in 2020.

Formula One Management President and CEO, Bernie Ecclestone, was attacked by four men and had his Hublot watch stolen. He later worked with Hublot to use his bruised face in an ad campaign with the tag line, "See what people will do for a Hublot."{{Cite news |title=Bernie Ecclestone mugging image in advert 'insensitive' |website=BBC News |date=8 December 2010 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-11947156}}

In August 2021, Serbian professional tennis player Novak Djokovic became a Hublot brand ambassador.{{cite press release| url=https://www.hublot.com/en-lv/news/novak-djokovic-new-hublot-ambassador| title=Novak Djokovic, A New Hublot Ambassador| publisher=Hublot| date=29 August 2021| access-date=14 November 2021}}{{cite press release| url=https://www.lvmh.com/news-documents/news/novak-djokovic-becomes-new-hublot-ambassador/| title=Novak Djokovic becomes new Hublot ambassador| publisher=LVMH| date=14 September 2021| access-date=14 November 2021}}

On January 7, 2022, Hublot announced Chinese Pop Star Lay Zhang as the new Hublot Brand Ambassador. {{cite press release| url= https://www.hublot.com/en-us/news/lay-zhang-new-hublot-ambassador | title=Lay Zhang, A New Hublot Ambassador| publisher=Hublot| date=7 January 2022}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Hublot}}

• [http://www.hublot.com/ Hublot's official website]

{{LVMH}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:LVMH brands

Category:Companies based in the canton of Vaud

Category:Swiss companies established in 1980

Category:Manufacturing companies established in 1980

Category:Swiss watch brands

Category:Watch manufacturing companies of Switzerland