Hublot

This is my new Hubloc Unico King Power. As beautiful as this watch is, and it really is stunning, I'm afraid it's likely to be the last Hublot we buy (sixth Hublot this). The watch itself is absolutely beautiful, no negative comments on the look of it though I suppose the clasp on the band should have been gold.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alufyv_6geM

The biggest issue is that this watch was sold by Hublot Boutique in Las Vegas in this state - as you can see the movement is utterly messed up. At close inspection the second hand doesn't move smoothly. About a third of the time, this brand new Hublot would get stuck at the 15s mark when using the timer which would seize the whole watch. This would have been obvious to the store staff and management though as customers we didn't spot it. As such, this makes the Hublot Boutique in Las Vegas a place one would want to avoid, especially so given the $55,000 price tag on this.

The aftersales have been poor also. Hublot advised I take the watch to my local Boutique (London) which doesn't return emails or calls regarding the state of repair (in warranty). Whilst a part of this is poor service - I'd obviously never buy anything in this store either - the other issue is that Hublot doesn't have a clear system for tracking repairs and state of repairs. With Rolex for example, you can get near-instant information on the state of your watch and a precise ETA. Nothing like that with Hublot - "It's with the engineers in Switzerland..." - helpful. The ETA for this repair is 8 weeks, that's an estimate.

Thirdly, I also have to raise questions about the Hublot Unico movement. I'm glad the Swiss factory is looking at it rather than a local watchmaker but I very much doubt the watch was broken like this in the store or in transport to the store - it either left the factory in this state or, whilst working fine, some of the parts were either so poorly assembled or manufactured that it failed to this extent within a few months of being put on shop display. Quite suspect manufacture. I've never even seen anything like this with a mechanical movement, let alone on a new watch.

Next watch will be an AP, if I can find a nice looking one, or a Ulysse Nardin. Hublot have a way to go to professionalise their operation to justify the price tags.

You wouldn't see the hands without sunglasses anyhow

This certainly not to the standards of Hublot!

Many thanks for the response!

There's a quick snap of the Boa Bang - women especially love this watch, my other two are mid 2000s older models I don't much wear and the other two are ladies. The other watches run absolutely fine but again, none of them are Unico models and there are different expectations on these mechanical watches. Certainly taking a new one back like this was a bit of a shocker. My 15 yearold Tag has been through a lot of beatings, has never seen a service and runs 10 seconds off a day. It's a much simpler watch but it also originally cost around £2,000. 

You are absolutely right, Hublot watches look stunning, that's a challenge with AP because in my view most of their watches look like mid 2000s Hublots and thus look dated. And the genuinely nice looking APs come with a Mayweatheresque price tag.

Hello.  This is your first post and I am sorry that your first post is like this.  Hublot is well known for its after sales service.  Well, at least, Mr. Jean Claude Biver (Chairman) is such a man.

Its good to have you on the Hublot forum, however I am sorry it is under such circumstances.

With them, I welcome you to PuristSPro.  It is a shame that your very first post is to share a negative experience though. 

... so, please beware of the PM (Private Mail) coming to your email address you registered.

Many thanks Ken and Andrew.

The original point of sales is absolutely a moot point for me, they used classic game theory not expecting repeat business which they of course will not get. If I were Hublot, I'd address this with them. The response from London Boutique - 1 reply after six enquiries, emails not even acknowledged - has also been poor considering we are talking £35,000 watches. I went to them specifically because I thought they were a better option for communication than Harrods. Replying to emails or returning calls is quite basic even if you have no information and can't get it, it takes literally thirty seconds. Hublot's inability to communicate timescales when compared to a Rolex service is quite depressing too.

Sadly, the only picture of the watch I have is this little one - it's been in Switzerland since early January.

Here are some of my other watches, the Boa Bang is especially pretty and a definite eye catcher though the blue faced Breitling continues to look amazing and it's one of the watches everybody always notices.

As much as I am disappointed with Hublot, I had this on today though I didn't get the model and number, it's possibly the most beautiful watch I've ever seen, especially with the leather crocodile strap. The pictures don't do it justice, really a work of art. The edges were much more rounded than the Big Bang king I have which is being repaired and this watch is simply stunning. They had this in metal with diamonds too, if that's your thing. They had both mine and this in stock and this is actually 10% cheaper... I spent some time browsing AP where I would really struggle to find something I like for even half as much as the Hublot and I wasn't able to see any Ulysse Nardin Maxi Divers.

Not sure I can buy a Hublot again but seeing this makes me weak at the knees. I was actually offered a discount at too, which is a first since I was in Harrods.

It's a Classic Fusion King Gold Diamonds 45mm -  525.OX.0180.LR.1104 

... so, please just don't give up on Hublot.  People are trying to fix the problem and it will be rectified as soon as possible.  Just sit tight and be a bit more patient... 

Don't give up on Hublot.

In my case, I have been bugging the heck out Hublot MBS Singapore though NONE of my Hublots was bought from them Each time they always keep track of the repair (same watch, 4 times already) and always inform me the progress. When I go there to ask questions each time with no intention to buy, every staff has always been polite and helpful. Definitely, I recommend anyone who goes to Singapore to visit Hublot Marina Bay Sands. Hong Kong is also very professional, and I dress very casually :p

... about Mr. Biver.   He is such a Chairman (now) and who made Hublot what it is today in the last decade or two.  So customer-centric and LOVES watches and those who love watches.  Very friendly, approachable.  He receives 500 emails or more every morning but he answers customers' emails first.....  

Yes Ken, deep respect for the man. 

As Chairman of Hublot, I want both congratulate you for the acquisition of this watch and at the same time apologize for the very unusual problem you had with the watch.

No message body This message has been edited by fastback1967 on 2015-03-04 00:47:06

JCB,

You are the best Chairman of the industry.  No question about it.

I have always admired your brand as much as your approach to the industry.  I have only collected a few pieces in my time, but there have been several in the classic fusion line I love.  You direct and personal input reassures me, as well as others on this forum I am certain, that Hublot is of the highest quality among its peers, and I will proudly wear your product as soon  as I can procure it (albeit in the smaller versions, I have a tiny wrist.)  Congrats to a phenomenal CEO!

I was at the same point, I too, have a tiny wrist.

This is an older Hublot we have, rubs beautifully still and it's undeniably Hublot. 39mm, fair bit smaller but very solid. It's a good crossroads piece, it has modern elements of Hublot design but also a more traditional look.

I've owned several Hublots: Big Bang Evolution Stainless Steel, Big Bang Evolution Black Magic, and Big Bang Unico Titanium. I never had a problem with any. On the other hand, when I first purchased my AP Panda new the crown came right out when I tried to set the time. In addition, one of the top links still showed the circle from the bar that connects the links (should have been layered and finished). Then, I had to wait three months to get it back. It was almost impossible to get a status update.
Anway, AP is still a great brand, and so is Hublot. Both produce amazing handmade time pieces with minimal human error (but it happens).
Moreover, Hublot's' innovations have inspired AP and reinvigorated friendly competition.
So, let's be understanding and continue to support our favorite brands.

Great - the watch has been repaired and returned! I'm glad though I don't agree with the previous post re understanding these sorts of issues at all.

A £35,000 mechanical watch has no excuse not to work from new and be in a shop let alone be sold given the checks it goes through. Nevertheless, once this was escalated Hublot have been absolutely exemplary, and that's great. Both the communication from the moderators here and from Hublot CEO directly has been A* so thank you.

The positive news is that the watch is now back, here is a lovely 1080p video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHsvQbR1-P8 One of my observations post repair is the incredible smoothness of the stop watch top button and nearly as much smoothness of the bottom button. I really didn't like the button presses at all originally, they were clunky. My Boa Bang has quite unpleasant button presses as well. The buttons post service as smooth as butter and a pleasure to press.

Here are some additional pictures and I'm glad I can wear my new watch and hopefully I'll be able to enjoy it.

A couple years ago I bought a Girard-Perregaux Laureato and it just stopped dead after one month.  Local AD couldn't get it to move.  Took months to get it repaired and returned. 

Things didn't go right with your purchase experience and Mr. Biver stepped up.  This doesn't, and shouldn't, happen with all repairs, obviously, but yours seemed way "off" and he handled it with speed and style.  His personal involvement takes a huge company and makes it seem like a small manufacture.  Met him at Lausanne Palace on PuristSPro trip last October and he certainly has a vision and love of the watch industry that commands respect.