Big Bang Theory: Hublot Dives Into The Deep End Of The Digital Universe

Hublot is turning 40 this year, and while the party plans may have been postponed until at least the end of June, the brand still has plenty of presents for its fans.

In May, the Maison opened its biggest ever Flagship Boutique: the Hublot Ginza on Chuo-dori Street in Tokyo. They also collaborated with famed fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto on the new Big Bang GMT All Black.
 

But the biggest news from the Hublot is the announcement that it will be expanding its e-commerce platform along and launching a new timepiece, Big Bang e, to commemorate the occasion.

As any Hublotista knows, Hublot was founded in 1980 by Italian entrepreneur Carlo Crocco. And one doesn’t reach 40 without gaining some wisdom.  

Crocco created a watch that he named the Hublot after the French word for "porthole." This timepiece featured the first natural rubber strap in the history of watchmaking.
 

Then, in 2004, the legendary Jean-Claude Biver bought a minority stake in the company. Biver brought to Hublot his experience of turning around Blancpain and Omega, helping to reinvent the brand.

That same year Hublot also adopted the slogan “The Art of Fusion.” This became the brand’s credo, as the manufacture began to marry haute horology with high tech materials. It also led to the 2005 debut of the Big Bang, Hublot’s signature chronograph.
 

Hublot was also just as innovative in selling their wares. By the time Hublot was acquired by LVMH in 2008, the luxury watchmakers had already begun to embrace the idea of opening up stand-alone boutiques all over the world. These shops made shopping as much a part of the experience as wearing a watch and allowed customers to feel like they were part of the upstart brand’s family.
 

The brand also proved its ability to anticipate and adapt in the pre-pandemic days when it launched the Hublot Digital Boutique in 2018 (read HERE).

Now Hublot is looking to expand that universe to reach more customers, no matter where they live. This updated website launches Tuesday, June 2nd, and will offer over 80 references for purchase online. Up until recently, luxury brands and buyers have been reluctant to make such a shift. And although this hesitancy was born of legitimate reasons, such as security, losing the intimacy of the boutique experience, and controlling supply and demand, Hublot also sees the move as essential in an increasingly digital world.