Watch Review: Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Italia Independent Watches Designed with Lapo Elkann

In an ongoing collaboration with Italia Independent and the brand’s  founder Lapo Elkann, Hublot unveiled its newest series of timepieces earlier this year. Now they are beginning to hit stores and we take a close-up look and bring you an honest review of the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Italia Independent collection.

The newest watch collection continues to underscore Hublot’s tag line,  “The Art of Fusion.”   While Hublot has been working with Italia Independent over the past three years to unveil watches, sunglasses and accessories, this new series may be the epitome of bespoke. Together, they team with the renowned Italian tailor Rubinacci and actually incorporate fabrics from the House of Rubinacci as dials and as straps.

Whereas the previous watches that stemmed from the collaboration were made in the Hublot Big Bang Unico case, these new pieces utilize the Hublot Classic Fusion case, which offers a bit of a more elegant or sophisticated appeal. Additionally, at Elkann’s suggestion — he has been called the “most elegant man in the world” — they turned to Rubinacci for the fabrics.

The House of Rubinaaci Role

This sartorial house that has been in business nearly a century stocks more than 60,000 square meters of hounds tooth, tweeds and other fabrics in its vaults. It was there that Hublot and Elkann discovered a collection of 1970’s tartan wool weaves that won their hearts.

Those wool weaves — houndstooth, tartan, and Prince of Wales — were used to make the straps and dials of the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Italia Independent watches.The new series consists of  six 45mm versions, each using a different fabric. Two watches are made with titanium cases, two are in black ceramic and two are built using Hublot’s signature King Gold. The colors of each fabric are meant to complement the case material. Colors include mixes of    black, white, blue or red, depending on the model.

What’s Inside the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Italia Independent collection

The watches house an automatic chronograph movement with 280 components and offering 42 hours of power reserve. The Italia Independent logo is on the dial at 6:00, and casebacks  are engraved wit the limited edition number of each series. Depending on the version, either 50 or 100 pieces will ever be made.  Princes range from $15,100 for steel to $16,100 for ceramic and $35,100 for King Gold.

Impressions of the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Italia Independent collection

We like the fact that the new Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Italia Independent collection is, in fact, using the Classic Fusion case. It scales the watch down to a more manageable size for such a sartorial piece. Additionally, it fits nicely under suit jackets. We also like the concept of the matching strap and dial fabrics. While we love certain of the fabric choices, others leave us flat. However, somewhere in the world there is most likely a market for each and every one of the six versions. Finally, in steel or ceramic, the price is great.