Hublot reaches new depths.
How did Hublot create a point of difference in the dive watch market? Step forward the Oceanographic Limited Edition Carbon Fiber watch.
Hublot is known for its interesting use of materials and featuring carbon fiber in a dive watch was unusual, making a heavy looking, over-sized 51mm case actually fairly light and a bonus if you’re diving to great depths.
Hublot’s heritage actually comes from the sea; its iconic watch design was inspired by the port hole of a boat. The first watch it created featured a rubber strap and gold case, an interesting fusion of materials which has now become synonymous with the brand.
I’ve interviewed Hublot’s enigmatic CEO Jean-Claude Biver many times and he always comes back to this notion of the brand as a fusion: of materials, of tradition with innovation and of renowned partnerships, when it comes to new watch launches.
The Oceanographic Carbon Fiber watch was no exception to this and Hublot partnered with an aquarium in Monaco, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, for this particular model. With a Helium Escape Valve and the ability to reach depths of 4,000 m (not that humans could!) it is clearly intended for diving, unlike some dive watches surprisingly.
But would we trust this watch in such an extreme environment? I asked Tom Lodowski, a watchmaker at Manhattan Time Service and professional diver, for this thoughts.
“I would choose this as an instrument to rely on over other dive watches,” he explains. “The helium escape valve is well protected by a hinged cover and all outer case components are held together with thick screws ensuring the timepiece won’t collapse under extreme pressure.” However, the only downside is “the watch band could do with an extension to fit over any thick wet or dry suit,” he adds.
Explore Manhattan Time Service’s range of Hublot watches>