Hublot and Berluti join forces for an alternative leather adventure.
Hublot and Berluti join forces for an alternative leather adventure.
Leather and wristwatches have gone hand in hand for centuries, but when the watchmaker in question is Hublot, you can expect the pairing to be bolder than most. Not only is the leather found on the face of the watch, instead of just on the strap, it’s also provided by one of the most respected shoemakers in the world. The Classic Fusion Berluti is here to show you a thing or two about audacious elegance.
To celebrate the Parisian shoemaker’s 120th anniversary last year, Hublot once again demonstrates how its unconventional partnerships result in equally offbeat materials and textures (denim and embroidery have been used in past collaborations) incorporated into its timepieces.
This limited edition collection uses Berluti’s emblematic Venezia leather, characterised by its smoky patina. The logo and indexes are embossed directly into the leather, adding to the play on textures. The All Black edition, limited to 500 pieces, features a black titanium and ceramic case with a deep grey strap that has Berluti’s “Gaspard” incision down the middle. The warmth of the Scritto edition, limited to 250 pieces, comes from its 18K King Gold (a rosy Hublot alloy) case and tobacco-coloured leather. This strap is inscribed with calligraphy, but both have rubber bases for additional comfort, as with all Hublot watches. You can show either of them off for 42 hours, before it requires winding.
Even the boxes are made with typical Berluti flair. Each one is clad in leather that matches that of the watch within, and also includes a leather pouch, wax and brushes for leather care – just like the ones you’ll find in Berluti shoeboxes. The two brands may have come from two wholly different worlds, but all it took to unite them was an unshakeable dedication to craftsmanship.
