Hublot versus Rolex: It sounds like an uneven battle between two Swiss luxury watch manufacturers. While Rolex has been making history with its design icons since 1905, Hublot – founded in 1980 – has had to elbow its way into the industry with often polarizing timepieces. However, there are significant differences between the two in terms of design and technology. Rolex, for example, has always enjoyed the coveted “in-house movement” status, while Hublot treads a middle path between being a modifier of movement components and a manufacturer of in-house calibers. Unlike most Rolex calibers, however, Hublot’s in-house calibers also offer complications such as moon phases or tourbillons. In this article, we’re comparing the two different brands.
Hublot and Rolex – A Brief Historical Overview
Hublot’s roots go back to 1980, when Italian entrepreneur Carlo Crocco founded the brand and presented the world’s first gold watch with a rubber strap in the same year. Initially, the company operated under the name “MDM Geneve,” with the name “Hublot” merely serving as a designation for a specific model. In 2004, Crocco succeeded in recruiting industry veteran Jean-Claude Biver, who had successfully managed Blancpain and Omega prior to that, as managing director of Hublot. The following year, Hublot presented the Big Bang collection, for which the manufacturer received numerous awards. In 2008, the brand was acquired by the luxury goods group LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, which also owns the TAG Heuer, Zenith, and Bulgari brands.
The Swiss luxury watch giant Rolex was founded in 1905 in London by businessman Hans Wilsdorf and his brother-in-law, Alfred Davis, initially as a distributor of Swiss-made watch movements. The brand name “Rolex” was registered just three years later. In 1919, the company moved its headquarters to Geneva, where it is still located today. Particularly well-known models such as the Explorer, GMT-Master, and Submariner models introduced in the 1950s played a key role in establishing Rolex as a brand for sophisticated, functional timepieces. Rolex was transferred to a foundation after Wilsdorf’s death in 1960, and now employs around 14,000 people worldwide.
Hublot vs. Rolex: Brand Image
The Hublot brand image stands for luxury, technical innovation, and striking designs. The Swiss manufacturer combines traditional watchmaking techniques with modern materials to create a distinctive look. Large-format, eye-catching designs, and partnerships with sporting events and artists give the brand a modern, dynamic character. Combining tradition and innovation, Hublot appeals to an exclusive, discerning clientele that values individuality and reputation. Rolex is associated with luxury, precision, and exclusivity throughout the world. The Swiss manufacturer is valued for its first-class workmanship and reliability, and has long since established itself as a status symbol. Rolex’s association with timelessness is based on the brand’s combination of technical excellence and a classic design that has changed little over the decades, yet remains contemporary.
Hublot vs. Rolex: Quality & Design
Hublot watches are the expression of an innovative approach to design that combines the traditional art of watchmaking with modern elements. Characteristic features include large, distinctive cases and the use of unconventional materials like ceramic, titanium, and carbon. These materials make Hublot watches both lightweight and robust. Characteristic of Hublot timepieces is a striking bezel with H-shaped decorative screws, the design of which is based on the appearance of a ship’s porthole. In addition to in-house calibers, modified movements based on basic calibers from the Swiss movement manufacturers ETA and Sellita are also used. The design of Rolex watches is iconic and has shaped the luxury watch industry like no other. Since its inception, the Geneva-based company has developed watch designs with a timeless aesthetic that continue to define style today. Models like the Day-Date, Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master II, and Daytona have not only made history, but continue to set standards for the classic yet functional design that characterizes Rolex to this day. In terms of quality, Rolex offers excellent, largely machine-made precision. This applies not only to the cases and bracelets, but also to the movements, all of which are mechanical and made in Rolex’s own workshops. Rolex holds a range of different patents for its case and movement components, including the Triplock crown and Parachrom hairspring.
Hublot vs. Rolex: Most Popular Models
The most popular Hublot timepieces are probably those from the Big Bang collection, which Hublot presented for the first time in 2005. The watches in this line feature in-house calibers with complications such as tourbillons, GMT functions, minute repeaters, and perpetual calendars. Some models, like the Big Bang MP-11, also offer a very long power reserve of up to 14 days. Furthermore, the watches have cases with diameters of up to 45 mm, giving them distinctive wrist presence. For the case materials, Hublot uses Magic Gold, King Gold, carbon, and sapphire. Watches in the Classic Fusion collection are also among the brand’s most popular models. These timepieces are much more restrained in design than watches in the Big Bang collection, for example, but they still have the characteristic Hublot porthole look. Top models such as the Classic Fusion Tourbillon Cathedral Minute Repeater and Classic Fusion Orlinski Tourbillon demonstrate Hublot’s watchmaking expertise. Hublot also offers tonneau-shaped watches like the Spirit of Big Bang. An integrated bracelet, also found in the Big Bang collection, is a typical feature of these timepieces. Top-of-the-range Spirit of Big Bang models have skeletonized dials and are equipped with a tourbillon or moon phase display.
Rolex: Every Model A Design Icon
When it comes to function and design, the Rolex catalog offers a wide range of models that have become cult icons in the watch world. The Datejust and the Rolex Day-Date, also known as the “presidential watch,” are among the most popular elegant wristwatches from Rolex. The Submariner is considered the legendary sports model from Rolex and has probably been the most important icon among diving watches since its introduction in 1954. The model set the standard for design and functionality in its category and is considered a style-defining template for diving watches of all makes and models. Its classic look has attracted worldwide attention and has been adapted and reinterpreted countless times by numerous other manufacturers. The GMT-Master, which was later developed into the GMT-Master II, enjoyed a success story similar to that of the Submariner. This Rolex watch was originally designed in 1955 for Pan American Airways (Pan Am) pilots. Today, the GMT-Master is one of the most famous GMT watches in the world. One of the world’s most popular chronographs is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. This timepiece is best known for its association with motor sports and was made famous by Hollywood legend Paul Newman.
Hublot vs. Rolex: Price Performance
Hublot and Rolex are very different in terms of investment, as Rolex watches are much more sought after than timepieces from Hublot. Rolex watches are known for their extremely high value retention and almost guaranteed potential for appreciation, which is particularly evident in its stainless steel sports models. As a young player with a rather polarizing design philosophy, Hublot continues to serve a niche audience that is willing to pay list prices and views watches as statement pieces rather than investments. As a result, most Hublot models lose value as soon as they leave the store. Of course, limited special editions produced in collaboration with various artists may be an exception. These Hublot models offer better value retention on the secondary market. Overall, however, Rolex offers a significantly higher level of value retention than Hublot.
Summary
Hublot and Rolex have fundamentally different brand philosophies. While the still-young brand Hublot focuses on experimental design and unusual combinations of materials, Rolex has been playing the traditional card for decades, with design icons that have been in the product catalog for years with only minor tweaks. When it comes to calibers, Hublot has the edge – from a purely functional point of view – because, unlike Rolex’s in-house movements, Hublot offers timepieces with complications like moon phase displays and tourbillons. More affordable models, however, are powered by modified movements from third-party Swiss manufacturers. As is so often the case, when it comes to maintaining or increasing in value, Rolex is unbeatable. If that’s not important to you, let your taste decide. Both brands offer excellent quality.
