SJX
[Purist]
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Part III: Electroplating and coating workshop
This is unusual for a watch manufacture – an in-house electroplating and coating workshop. These are not too common at watch factories, especially smaller ones like Hublot, because of the special permits required due to the hazardous chemicals needed to do plating and coating.
Protective goggles are needed because...
Above: Parts are hung on this and immersed in the dangerous looking electrolyte solutions shown below
Above: Before and after gold-plating
Below: A electroplating demonstration
But because of Hublot’s emphasis on colours and materials, this is a key aspect of the manufacture. Doing this in-house allows for an almost unlimited range of colour variations for watch parts.
Above: Various parts that have been electroplated
Eventually this will be expanded into an in-house materials department that will also do ceramics and other materials. Notably, Hublot also sponsors a PhD in metallurgy at the nearby Lausanne Federal Polytechnic.
Below: A x-ray that performs material analysis and coating thickness measurement to check the conformance of plated parts
This message has been edited by SJX on 2011-04-03 03:14:32
A visit to Hublot in Nyon
Hublot’s manufacture in Nyon, north of Geneva, was inaugurated in 2009. It sets the stage for Hublot’s second stage of growth, after the turbo-charged early years when Jean-Claude Biver first took over and grew sales ten-fold. Nyon was selected by Jean-Cl...
Part I: Parts production
For those who think Hublot merely buys Valjoux 7750 movements and case them as I did in the past, this should serve to convince you otherwise. The machining workshop is undergoing significant expansion as the photos below illustrate. Several new machines ...
Part II: Component control
Parts made in-house, as well as parts sourced from external suppliers, are sent to the control department to ensure they meet standards in terms of dimensions, finish and appearance. One of the standard procedures is a video microscope to compare parts ag...
Part III: Electroplating and coating workshop
This is unusual for a watch manufacture – an in-house electroplating and coating workshop. These are not too common at watch factories, especially smaller ones like Hublot, because of the special permits required due to the hazardous chemicals neede...
Part IV: Movement assembly
Subassembly of various parts are done prior to assembly of the movement. This includes things like fitting of pinions to wheels and pressing of jewels. The movement itself is then put together in another workshop, assembly line style with each watchmaking...
Part V: Casing up
Once the movements are completed, the rest of the watch is put together. This primarily consists of fitting the dial and hands, and then casing up. The Hublot case is more complicated than the average watch case, due to the multitude of materials used. Th...
Part VI: Checks and sealing
Once completed the watches are run through a series of tests, primarily water-resistance and temperature. They are then individually inspected visually for defects. If something is amiss the watch in question is returned along with a note specifying the p...
Part VII: Confrérie Horlogère Hublot and high complications
One of the casualties of the recession was BNB Concept, a complications specialist renowned for its radical, bizarre and odd-looking complications. Hublot took over what remained of BNB Concept and integrated the team, with some 30 people including BNB co...
Part VIII: Hublot TV – the hunter becomes the hunted
Typically when I visit a manufacture I am the only one lurking around with a camera, sneaking up on unsuspecting watchmakers. But at Hublot I was relentlessly pursued by a tireless cameraman lugging a professional video camera That reflects one of Hublot&...
Part IX: The mantra of fusion
In all areas of the manufacture, the mantra of fusion is evident. Nearly everything that can reasonably be in black or grey is black or grey. The Hublot logo is everywhere, and so are Hublot clocks. Windows are porthole-shaped. Most telling of all are the...
Part X: Jean-Claude Biver
Hublot is Jean-Claude Biver; he doesn’t own the brand neither did he found the brand, but he is Hublot. JCB’s goal is to make Hublot a brand that will outlive him, like Ferrari without Enzo. That time will come, but right now it is difficult to imagine Hu...
Wonderful post!
To me, even the "lowly" 7750 in my Ice Bang looks great through its display back. I believe it is modified to their specs, much like IWC does to their 7750. JCB is a unique, special CEO and I hope his leadership continues for some time. I also wish that H...
Superb posts JiaXian!
Thank you for these excellent posts! I can't help noticing the King Power watch with a white dial (looks to be a chrono, worn by one of the watch technicians) and they seem to porduce quite a number of this dial. Any info on this watch?
That is just a mock dial used during assembly
and then replaced with a production dial once completed. Thanks for the compliment Rei. - SJX
Fantastic post. Thanks SJX
Many are envious of Hublot's success and are awe at JCB's marketing prowess. However, many fail to understand that behind every success, there is a hardworking man sending out "hundreds, if not thousands emails a day, everyday"... Jon
Substance and marketing
You are absolutely right. Behind every success there is passion, hard work, vision, courage, risk, teamwork, help and luck Marketing will only do the job, if behind you have substance. Rational substance. If that's not the case, marketing will transform y...
Wow, excellent job.
Thanks for sharing these VERY interesting posts with us. It was nice to see the insides of the Hublot workshop. Cheers. Vte
SJX...this is one of your most complete reports
thats reaches out to not just certain watches, or manufacturing processes, but the "human" efforts and philosophy of the manufacture, in particular, its CEO. kudos once again. best, Horo
Superb report!
This year I missed my chance to visit Geneva and the factory. This post made me want to go NOW! Thank you for sharing.
I have been waiting for your report, SJX!
I have been a big fan of Depeche Mode since their debut when I was a high school kid. Mr. Biver failed to mention that name when I interviewed him in the cab in Tokyo late night... Just kidding, Mr. Biver Seriously, though, this report will change people'...
Thank you
Fabulous report about Hublot The best and most complete I have ever seen! Thank you very much and congratulation To any Hublot owner, I encourage you all to send me copy of your guarantee with case number and your home address in order that I can send you...
incredible post !
I am speechless ! This is so thorough and well photographed ! Thank you very much for sharing this moment with us !
Thanks for being such a great host
and letting me see practically everything at the manufacture. There is certainly a special spirit at Nyon that other manufactures do not have. - SJX
Mr Biver, you are a model CEO
and a marketing genius! i was at one of the dinners you hosted, and i must say, you are also the most entertaining watch company CEO I can think off !! your direct approach to business and generosity to charities are well known, and i iwsh and Hublot more...
A Model and CEO
I thought this would be relevant. Model with Hublot and CEO of Hublot. She is Veronica Varekova, a friend of Hublot and saviour of African wildlife. - SJX...
Amazing! I am so much looking forward to the day I have saved enough money for a Big Bang!
I appreciate Hublot even more after this report !!
Thanks for the wonderful Hublot factory visit
Your report will definitely open people's eyes that Hublot isn't just about 7750 watches. This is also one of the reasons why we have opened up a Hublot forum on PuristSPro. I've never owned a Hublot watch before but I look forward to visiting the upcomin...
This is the factory
that I missed visiting last year due to insufficient time for Mr Biver and me to sneak away from Baselworld 2010: click here Thanks SJX for finally covering the 'new' factory for PuristS to fulfil our promise to visit. Another attraction in Nyons is the 1...
Thanks a lot for this comprehensive report SJX.
I enjoyed a lot reading it. And you almost visited the most hidden corners of the Manufacture if I carefully look at some pictures... Fx
Wonderful,detailed and well written report.Congrats
I particularly like the pictures of the great man in his office.
amazing !!!
Fantastic job SJX...best HUBLOT report I've every seen..... Will try to much your incredible work with my future JCB interview...although it would be very difficult.
Amazing post
Factory visits are among my favorite type of posts. And this one is so thorough and enjoyable. Glad and surprised to see all that quality control and all the problem watches that appeared during your visit. Thanks for the great work.
Wonderful!
Good comprehensive report! Don't look for a day job yet, please So you change your mind about that black and orange Hublot.... cen@jkt
Very informative series of posts
Thanks for doing this SJX. Didn't know about Hublot TV - just found it on itunes so I'll have a look. Presumably you will be on one of the episodes? Regards, Richard.
Come and visit us
Please get in touch with me via my private mail and I will organize the visit of our manufacture and eventually a lunch with my cheese Your are most welcome, but please let me know a little bit in advance as we have each week up to 50 visits!
Thank you Jean-Claude! I shall, one day.
Will I see you at HK Boutique on Saturday? Kind regards Jon
No, I will not be in Hong Kong this weekend
Will come to the Grand Prix F1 in Shanghai
Great Report
Great report and photos SJX! Thanks for sharing. The only photo I see missing is that table in the reception area in the shape of a big big bang? Did you get a picture as is it beautiful? Andrew