Models
The Hublot Classic Fusion
By the Encore Luxe specialists · Updated October 2026
Hublot made its name by combining things that were not supposed to go together. Its first watch, in 1980, paired a gold case with a natural rubber strap, which at the time seemed almost provocative. The Classic Fusion is the house's most direct descendant of that first watch: clean, round, unmistakably Hublot and more understated than the brand's bolder lines.
Key facts
| House founded | 1980, by Carlo Crocco |
| Name | French for porthole |
| Classic Fusion introduced | 2008 |
| Signature details | Porthole bezel with six H-shaped screws, rubber strap |
| Materials | Titanium, steel, gold and ceramic versions |
The porthole
Carlo Crocco founded Hublot in Geneva in 1980. Its first watch was round, with a bezel held by visible screws in the manner of a ship's porthole, and it was fitted with a rubber strap. Rubber was then associated with diving watches and inexpensive straps; on a precious watch it was a statement. The design proved popular and set the tone for the house.
Fusion
In the 2000s, under Jean-Claude Biver, Hublot built its identity around the "art of fusion": combining materials and techniques, traditional and new. The Big Bang, introduced in 2005, became the house's bold flagship. The Classic Fusion, introduced in 2008, returned to the cleaner lines of the original 1980 watch. Its case is slimmer and simpler, its dial less busy and its proportions more classical.
Design details
- Bezel: round, with six H-shaped screws, the porthole of the name.
- Case: integrated lugs that flow into the strap, giving a smooth line from case to wrist.
- Strap: rubber, often lined or textured, attached by a quick-change system on many recent pieces.
- Dial: matte or satin finishes, with simple baton markers.
Our Hublot Classic Fusion automatic with a black dial and rubber strap shows the formula in its purest form.
Sizes and materials
The Classic Fusion has been made in a wide range of sizes, from around 33 mm to 45 mm, and in titanium, steel, gold, ceramic and combinations of these. Titanium versions are notably light. Black dials on black rubber are the classic choice; blue and grey dials are popular alternatives.
Wearing one
The Classic Fusion is a watch for people who like a strong design without visual noise. On rubber it is comfortable and practical for daily wear, including in water within its rating. It sits naturally with casual clothes and, in its slimmer versions, under a shirt cuff.
Care
Rinse the rubber strap in fresh water and dry it with a soft cloth. Have water resistance tested periodically and the movement serviced at the interval Hublot recommends. Polished titanium and gold mark more easily than brushed steel; a soft cloth after wear keeps the case looking right. See our watch care guide.
Related reading
Read our Hublot brand guide, our pre-owned watch checklist, or browse Hublot in our shop.
Questions we’re often asked
- What does Hublot mean?
Hublot is French for porthole. The name refers to the round bezel and exposed screws inspired by a ship's porthole.
- Why are Hublot watches on rubber straps?
When Hublot was founded in 1980, pairing a precious watch with a natural rubber strap was unconventional. It became the house's signature and the starting point for its idea of fusion.
- What is the difference between the Classic Fusion and the Big Bang?
The Classic Fusion is the slimmer, more understated line with a simpler case, while the Big Bang is larger, more sculptural and often more complex.
- How do I clean a rubber strap?
Rinse it in fresh water, wash gently with a mild soap if needed and dry it with a soft cloth. Avoid solvents and keep it away from prolonged direct sunlight.