The collaboration between Hublot and Ferrari is one thing in this world that is meant to happen. Before Hublot, the luxury sports car producer Ferrari had worked with other watch manufacturing companies to develop official Ferrari masterpieces. They were all factual errors. Maybe the adventurous essence of both brands formed the Hublot-x-Ferrari collaboration such a success, particularly when it comes to challenging the status quo in design and materials. Various watches have been developed in this coalition. The most famous is the MP-05LaFerrari, which is molded like an engine, has a power reserve of 50 days, and needs a winding drill. The 2017 Ferrari Techframe was also a fascinating piece with meaningful support from the Ferrari design team. The Hublot-x-Ferrari collaboration continues to demonstrate its resilience by releasing a new wristwatch. It revolutionizes what we believe we know about the design language of the Hublot watch.

The Case

Despite being part of the Hublot Classic Fusion collection, the Classic Fusion Ferrari GT scarcely resembles its older siblings. The typical case of the Classic Fusion watch is angular, with an alternate brushed/polished finish. This is not the case with the Ferrari GT, where there are several sultry curves and a fully matte completed body. The crown and the chronograph pushers are on the flank. The start/stop button is red, while the reset button and the crown are black; these colors are the same colors you can find on the Ferrari’s steering wheel buttons.

It is difficult to gauge the case further than that because it’s odd – a design curveball tossed at us by Hublot and Ferrari. Luckily, oddly does not necessarily amount to uninteresting. In this case, the strange is refreshing and exciting. The case is oddly nice to look at. It may be the way the body flawlessly moves into the hooded lugs; it may be the lightness of the matte finishing, or it may be that it appears to look just like a sci-fi or steampunk machine from our childhood fantasies. Whatever it may be, the Classic Fusion Ferrari GT case design is unique and well-thought-out.

Dial and Hands

The dial itself is also eccentric for the Classic Fusion luxury watch. For the very first time, the company marquee is set at 6 o’clock instead of 12 o’clock, while the Arabic numerals are set at the same time. The hour and minute hands, however, remain quite familiar. They are sword-type, partly open-worked, and handled with luminescent material for low or no-light visibility. Even so, the chronograph hands are lancet-style and bright red to make sure they would not get puzzled with running seconds at 9 o’clock. It is worth mentioning how the minute sub-counter is stylishly designed to appear like a tachometer you would find in a Ferrari. You will also find a subtle date display inside it. Overall, the Ferrari GT dial is balanced, appealing, and quite special compared with the rest of the Classic Fusion dials.

The Movement

The Classic Fusion Ferrari GT is a tried and tested Calibre HUB1280, which is also featured in various watches from the Hublot Big Bang collection, such as the Unico Titanium 42 mm, the Unico King Gold Ceramic 42 mm, and the Unico Black Magic 42 mm. The 354-part movement has a 3-day power reserve and works at a modern 4-Hz beat rate. Secured by four patents, the Calibre HUB1280 is a column-wheel (visible dial-side) chronograph movement with the added value of flyback capabilities. The movement is well-finished, although it lacks the attributes normally associated with high-Horlogerie, which is not a matter for Hublot. The industrial finish of the movement matches the appearance of the Classic Fusion Ferrari GT. We especially like the design of the rotor, which is surprisingly similar to the Ferrari steering wheel.

The Competitive Landscape

Hublot, as a product line, is often criticized by the watch community for several reasons. Historically, these reasons have to do with a weak limited edition policy, wild advertising campaigns, even wilder luxury watches, or all of the above. That being said, credit must also be granted where it is due. Hublot has shown moments of magic many times over the years. Consider taking, for instance, the MP-05 LaFerrari with its sleek design and its absurd power reserve. There’s also the Big Bang Bang Bleu with its entrancing geometric design. The production of this company is also famous for its innovative use of watchmaking components. For example, the Sapphire-Crystal-Case phenomenon was led and influenced by Hublot thanks to the unmatched engineering expertise of the brand.

The point is, this brand is not scared of unknown territory, no matter how dangerous those territories may have seemed. The Classic Fusion Ferrari GT is a notable shift from what you might think of a Classic Fusion watch. Its statuesque design is quirky and could easily have ended badly – fortunately for Hublot, it hasn’t. In a real sense, we think this is one of the brand’s moments of magic. The watch comes with three different materials: King of Gold, Titanium, and 3D Carbon. (a three-dimensional polymer matrix composite).

The very first watch that pops up when comparing the Classic Fusion Ferrari GT is, surprisingly enough, the singer Track 1 Chronograph. The Track 1 Chronograph is alike in some aspects to the Classic Fusion Ferrari GT, but very different in other aspects. Resemblances include a stunningly unusual, curved case design with a body that flows smoothly into the lugs. The Singer Track 1 Chronograph features a caliber that reshapes how mechanical chronograph movements can be constructed. The Calibre 6361, which was first showed up in the Fabergé Visionnaire Chronograph, is also completed to a point further than the Hublot.

Takeaway

The Ferrari GT of the Hublot Classic Fusion line is truly exceptional, not because of shock value, but because of the alluring design of the competent Ferrari people. The Classic Fusion Ferrari GT is far more than a watch with a horse emblem on it. It is the epitome of a collaboration made in heaven which, based on its present course, keeps going to enhance every new design.