Hublot Recreates Its Original 1980 Watch in Yellow and White Gold
The Classic Fusion Tributo preserves the exposed screws, black dial and rubber strap of the first Hublot.
Summary
Hublot revisits its 1980 origins with the new Classic Fusion Tributo.
Yellow- and white-gold editions retain the original gold-and-rubber formula in a 38mm case.
Powered by the HUB1711 automatic movement, both retail for $30,900 USD.
Hublot is returning to the watch that established its defining “Art of Fusion” philosophy. Its new Classic Fusion Tributo, offered in 18K yellow gold and 18K white gold, looks back to 1980, when founder Carlo Crocco debuted the original Hublot under the MDM Genève name — pairing a precious-metal case with a black rubber strap at a time when that combination was virtually unheard of in Swiss luxury watchmaking.
46 years later, the Tributo deliberately preserves that stripped-back formula – a porthole-inspired bezel, exposed screws, minimal black dial and rubber strap – while updating its proportions and mechanics. The original 36mm footprint grows modestly to 38mm, measuring 9.5mm thick, while 12 slightly domed bezel screws, exposed lugs and the date at 3 o’clock retain the visual language of the 1980 design.
The two references share the same architecture but take noticeably different approaches to the original. The yellow-gold Classic Fusion Tributo stays closest to Crocco’s early watch, combining a polished and satin-finished 18K yellow-gold case and bezel with a matte black lacquered dial carrying a subtle charcoal effect. Gold MDM lettering at 6 o’clock references the original MDM Genève signature, while the sapphire caseback reveals a matching 22K yellow-gold oscillating weight.
Its white-gold counterpart takes a cooler, more formal direction with a polished 18K white-gold case, black-plated titanium H-shaped screws and a polished black onyx dial, complemented by a black tungsten rotor. Both are fitted to lined black rubber straps, deliberately foregoing Hublot’s One Click system to remain closer to the construction of the original, while a screw-down crown helps provide 100 meters of water resistance.
Where the Tributo departs most significantly from its predecessor is inside. The quartz movement of the 1980 model gives way to Hublot’s HUB1711 Manufacture self-winding caliber, a 185-component automatic movement running at 4 Hz and delivering approximately 50 hours of power reserve. Both editions are available through Hublot, retailing at $30,900 USD each.
