The Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti Scritto Black Magic is a remarkable timepiece that combines the art of watchmaking with the art of leather craftsmanship. This collaboration between Hublot and Berluti, two renowned luxury brands, has resulted in a watch that is not only stylish but also incredibly sophisticated. The main highlight of this watch is its strap, which is made from Berluti's exclusive Venezia leather. This leather is known for its exceptional quality and texture, and it has been carefully crafted to create a unique and eye-catching strap. The strap features Berluti's distinctive Scritto pattern, which is inspired by calligraphy and adds an element of elegance to the watch. In addition to its exquisite strap, the Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti Scritto Black Magic also boasts a sleek and modern design.
Which brings us to the 45-millimeter Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti in 18-karat King Gold, a pairing of Italian-cum-Parisian bootmaker Berluti with the Swiss luxury watchmaker. On the surface, it seems to be two LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton brands thrown together and put in a blender, out of which pops a leather-clad timepiece. (We’ll leave the BDSM jokes aside — oh, wait. Too late.) That’s true as far as it goes. But the fact is that Berluti customers — actually, at those price points, let’s call them “collectors” — are Hublot clients as well. Dig a little deeper, then, and it all becomes more intriguing.
This Spring precisely when depended on the market Hublot debuted not only a new watch, but a new kind of watch, the Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti, in two versions the All Black and the Scritto. I was a huge fan of the tobacco strap and Gerard was opting for the black version, but we both agreed that the work on those straps is second to none.
In addition to its exquisite strap, the Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti Scritto Black Magic also boasts a sleek and modern design. The watch features a 45mm black ceramic case, which is both lightweight and durable. The black dial complements the strap perfectly, and it features silver hands and hour markers for easy readability.
Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti Scritto Black Magic
This Spring — precisely when depended on the market — Hublot debuted not only a new watch, but a new kind of watch, the Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti, in two versions: the “All Black” and the “Scritto.” The fashion world received it with great fanfare. To those in the world of fine timepieces, it was seemingly a softer launch, but the watch crowd should have taken more notice — because this, my friends, is the ghost of Christmas future.
As I wrote in the foreword of Ariel Adams’ weighty tome The World’s Most Expensive Watches, my take on “luxury” – or, really, “luxury goods” (the terms are not synonymous; the latter is just a subtly disguised description for products with heritage, craftsmanship, and high prices) – is a polymath’s approach to connoisseurship and collecting. As both consumers and the world of luxury evolve, so must the level of collaborations: co-branded and/or private label simply won’t do in the long run.
Advertising MessageConsider the Ermenegildo Zegna watches made by the Sowind Group, the La Chaux-de-Fonds–based watch manufacture that produces Girard-Perregaux. The partnership yielded a number of timepieces, including the High Performance sports watches and the limited-edition rose-gold Zegna Centennial Limited Edition dress watch. Both were essentially slightly altered Girard-Perregaux watches — and that just won’t do any longer. There needs to be a sense of integration in these collaborations that’s purer than just slapping on a label and saying, “Voilà!” DNA from each brand has to be present to create true progeny — and now Hublot, for which fusion is one of its corporate values, is leading the charge for what luxury joint ventures ought to look like.
Which brings us to the 45-millimeter Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti in 18-karat King Gold, a pairing of Italian-cum-Parisian bootmaker Berluti with the Swiss luxury watchmaker. On the surface, it seems to be two LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton brands thrown together and put in a blender, out of which pops a leather-clad timepiece. (We’ll leave the BDSM jokes aside — oh, wait. Too late.) That’s true as far as it goes. But the fact is that Berluti customers — actually, at those price points, let’s call them “collectors” — are Hublot clients as well. Dig a little deeper, then, and it all becomes more intriguing.
Let’s start with Berluti, a shoe line I know quite well. I purchased my first pair of Berluti Andy loafers (so named because they were designed by Warhol himself) in London’s Berluti boutique in Mayfair going on 15 years ago. My second pair I bought in Milan, my third in New York at the original Madison Avenue flagship. I’ve purchased a dozen or more Berluti varieties, from the Ultima to the Playtime sneakers, and I could tell you exactly where I bought each, and who artfully executed each shoe’s colorful hand-applied patina. You never forget a pair of Berlutis — sublime and timeless, they’re art in leather.
Advertising MessageNow, take Hublot. Yes, we can all agree that it never met a co-op branding or licensing deal it didn’t like, but those prolific partnerships don’t diminish the care that goes into the final product. I’m as familiar with Hublot as I am with Berluti — though I’ve owned only one, a Classic Fusion, I’ve written a lot about the brand. I’ve been to the manufacture; I’ve seen Magic Gold being made. I did several book events for DRIVE TIME at Hublot boutiques. I know them; I get them. And while Hublot is not a watch for everyone, nor is Berluti a shoe for all. Neither is for the shy, reserved, or conservative.
Thus, the fusion — to borrow the Hublot term again — of the two came as little surprise. In fact, over the years I’ve mentioned to Patrick Ottomani – a longtime chum and the managing director of Berluti USA, and Alessandro Sartori, the brilliant former Berluti creative director – that they really should do something with Hublot. And when I last had lunch with Jason Morrison of Hublot USA (just prior to the announcement of the collaboration, as it happened), I told him, “You guys must do something with your Berluti brethren.”
What does a shoe have to do with a watch, though? On the surface, nothing. Up higher, though, in the more rarefied air, the answer is everything. Do you have bespoke or made-to-measure suits? Drive a European auto? Have a nice pen, preferably a fountain? Do you appreciate and occasionally take a two-martini lunch? Play as hard as you work? Smoke a fine cigar on occasion? Have a sense of adventure and bold style? Are you rakish, sir? Then you’ll get it: The pen guy, the car guy, the watch guy, and the Berluti guy are all the same guy.
Now look at the Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti watch itself — not the grey/black version with the ceramic case and handmade strap, which is dreary, but the tan Hublot King Gold one. It’s amazing! Check out the debossed Berluti patinated Venezia leather dial: It’s fresh, original, and executed with exacting precision. And the band, made of the same leather but with the signature Scritto eighteenth-century calligraphy motif. Indeed, the entire watch — the limited-edition Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti (500 of the All-Black priced at $14,600; 250 of the Scritto in the 18-karat Hublot King Gold for $29,400) — nicely captures both brands. The case, the HUB1100 self-winding movement — all the rest is classic Hublot. In many ways, and much more so than in most such partnerships, this Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti is a collaboration in far more than mere name — and the way things, going forward, just ought to be. hublot.com
What does a shoe have to do with a watch, though? On the surface, nothing. Up higher, though, in the more rarefied air, the answer is everything. Do you have bespoke or made-to-measure suits? Drive a European auto? Have a nice pen, preferably a fountain? Do you appreciate and occasionally take a two-martini lunch? Play as hard as you work? Smoke a fine cigar on occasion? Have a sense of adventure and bold style? Are you rakish, sir? Then you’ll get it: The pen guy, the car guy, the watch guy, and the Berluti guy are all the same guy.
Underneath its stylish exterior, the Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti Scritto Black Magic houses a high-precision automatic movement. This movement powers the watch's central hour, minute, and second hands, as well as a date function at 3 o'clock. The watch also has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Overall, the Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti Scritto Black Magic is a true masterpiece. It combines the best of both worlds – the craftsmanship of watchmaking and the artistry of leatherwork. With its luxurious strap, sleek design, and high-performance movement, this watch is a must-have for those who appreciate the finer things in life..
Reviews for "The Art of Craftsmanship: Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti Scritto Black Magic Edition"
- John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with the Hublot classic fusion berluti scritto black magic watch. The design looked great in the pictures, but in person, it was underwhelming. The strap felt cheap and the overall quality of the watch didn't match the high price tag. I was expecting more from a luxury brand like Hublot.
- Sarah - 1 star - This watch was a complete letdown for me. The "black magic" claim is far from accurate. The watch looked dull and lacked any kind of wow factor. The leather strap felt uncomfortable and didn't add any sophistication to the overall look. Considering the price, I expected a lot more from Hublot, but unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.
- Mark - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the Hublot classic fusion berluti scritto black magic watch, but it fell short in several aspects. The dial was too busy and cluttered, making it difficult to read the time. The weight of the watch was also quite heavy, making it uncomfortable to wear for extended periods. Overall, I don't think it's worth the price they're asking for. There are better options available in the market.