By: Kevin Hatton

The men’s automatic Classic Fusion 45 mm Chronograph 521.NX.1170.LR watch from Hublot is a sporty titanium number boasting more in minimalism. The dial is a simple black with skeletal hour and minute hands and two chronograph sub dials. The extra large 9 inch band is a a gummy alligator rubber with a deployment buckle. The case and bezel are a polished titanium with a sapphire, scratch resistant crystal protecting the dial. For this timepiece the case is screwed down and the crown is screwed in. This Swiss made watch is water proof to up 100 meters or 330 feet. The automatic movement is powered by Hublot’s HUB 1143 and protected by a 24 month warranty.

Despite the typically luxurious price of this Hublot watch it is actually one of their more subdued and minimalist models. The collection contains other similarly decorated pieces in their lack of flashy jewels which appeals to a different set of watch enthusiasts.  The sleek titanium and alligator rubber makes this watch just as elegant and expensive as much of Hublot’s offerings but the still attractive design is much simpler than other watches. It is marketed as an extra large watch, evident by the 9 inch band, so this is not the watch of the everyman.

Because of Hublot’s prestigious reputation and the fact that this model is still available in their current catalogue it is safe to assume that the craftsmanship expected from Hublot will be delivered whether you purchase this watch from a store or an online retailer. The manufacturer’s list price is $11,800 but from authorized online retailers it is being sold anywhere from the list price to less than $500. The simplicity of this watch is highly desirable and the water resistance may actually be a practical feature for this model though when jewelry, practical or not, costs upwards of $10K it is not recommended to allow such a piece to be vulnerable to long term or high depth exposure to water. However, it is difficult to be assured of just what you are getting considering the wild price discrepancies from the online retailers. If you are in the market for a watch in this price range and have a very large wrist, the Hublot men’s Classic Fusion 45 mm automatic chronograph is a dependable choice but caution should be exercised when choosing from where it is purchased. If not from the manufacturer itself, then from a reputable retailer but good luck finding this particular model on Amazon.