Introducing: The Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Boutique Lucerne
If you like the odd thematic special edition, Hublot is the brand to follow. Today, we get an interesting new watch from the Nyon-based outfit. This is the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Boutique Lucerne. You quite literally get a piece of Lucerne if you purchase this watch, so if the Swiss city carries meaning to you, read on!
The new Hublot Lucerne edition costs CHF 15,900 / €18,200 / US$17,500 and comes with a black rubber and vintage brown calf strap. Let’s take a closer look.
The Kapellbrücke in Lucerne
Before we get to the watch, you need to know about the landmark Kapellbrücke, or Chapel Bridge, in Lucerne. Even if you have only driven through the small city in the center of Switzerland, you have probably seen the iconic wooden bridge and the stone water tower.
The water tower dates back to the last decade of the 13th century, predating the bridge by a few decades. Around 1365, the wooden structure diagonally connected the two banks of the river Reuss. It is the oldest covered wooden footbridge in the world.
Unfortunately, a blazing fire destroyed large parts of it in 1993. The entire bridge was rebuilt and now shines once more as Lucerne’s iconic landmark. Interestingly, 158 paintings decorated the inner triangles of the bridge’s roofing. When the fire hit, 147 were still in situ. Unfortunately, remains of only 47 could be salvaged. Today, restorations of 30 paintings remain in place.
The Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Boutique Lucerne
On to today’s watch. The Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Boutique Lucerne pays homage to the beautiful medieval town, home to one of its boutiques. It does so via a wood marqueterie dial with a unique checkered pattern inlaid in a carbon base plate. Hublot derived inspiration from the Kapellbrücke for this pattern.
But I promised you would quite literally be wearing a piece of Lucerne on the forearm, and you will be. Or, at least, you will be if you buy one. How so? Well, the wood used on the dial comes from the remains of the burnt-down bridge. In short, Hublot uses wood from a 700-year-old construction in a 21st-century luxury watch.
Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Boutique Lucerne specificiations
So, how does Hublot present this wooden craftwork? Well, in a 45mm by 13.4mm titanium case in the familiar Classic Fusion shape. Hublot applies an aging effect by scratching and blackening the titanium, resulting in a vintage look. It reminds me of the look of nickel belt buckles after intense wear. Hublot rates the case’s water resistance at 50 meters.
Inside ticks caliber HUB1143, which is a Sellita SW300-1 with a Dubois Dépraz chronograph module on top. This results in a caliber running at 28,800vph with a 48-hour power reserve. The dial displays the running seconds in a sub-dial at 3 o’clock and a 30-minute chronograph counter at 9 o’clock. A central chronograph seconds hand comes with a Hublot logo as a counterweight. You can see half of the movement through the sapphire window in the case back. The other half resides behind a monochromatic image of the Kapellbrücke.
This watch comes with two straps. The images show it on a strap Hublot calls vintage brown calf. From the pictures, it looks like a nubuck top layer on a rubber strap. As a second option, you get a black rubber strap. The deployant clasp matches the aged titanium of the case.
Initial impressions — Man’s search for meaning
I have to say, I like the look of the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Boutique Lucerne. Its subdued colors and dull textures give off atypically subtle vibes. However, I do struggle with the whole Lucerne and bridge storytelling. I cannot help but envision a Hublot employee walking into his/her manager’s office, stating, “Boss, I may know someone who can get us some parts of the original Kapellbrücke. Should we do something with it?” Watches like this feel contrived and, consequently, a bit silly to me. This implies a search for meaning and significance that a luxury watch in and of itself does not fulfill.
Then again, this is what Hublot does. The house matches its recognizable designs with brands, artists, or other themes in collaborations and special editions. In that sense, this does not present as an outlier.
The watch must rely on its theme as there is little to set it apart technically. This is a fairly simple, very expensive watch. I came out to declare my love of Hublot last year, but this isn’t strengthening our bond.
What do you think of the new Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Boutique Lucerne? Let us know in the comments below!
