Close Up: the New Hublot Classic Fusion Tourbillon Skull

One of our favorite timepieces debuted by Hublot at Baselworld 2014 was an addition to the manufacture’s famous skull series. The Classic Fusion Tourbillon Skull features one of the most traditional complications in the world of watchmaking, incorporated into a very modern look.

The Classic Fusion Tourbillon Skull is housed in a 45mm ceramic-coated aluminium case that was micro-blast finished to create a distressed look. According to Hublot, this hard and corrosion-resistant material (which is new to the manufacture) was obtained through a treatment known as MAO (Microarc Oxidation) which consists of a surface conversion through plasma discharge in an electrolyte bath. This forms a ceramic layer which is hard, dense and adhesive. The micro-blasted finish is obtained through manual sanding which gives the case a distressed look and ensures each piece has a unique finish.

The openworked dial features hours (with Roman numeral indices, a first for Hublot) and minutes, and showcases the manual winding skeleton tourbillon movement. The HUB6014, which was designed, developed and manufactured in the workshops at the Hublot Manufacture, boasts a 5-day power reserve. If you look closely at the bridges and plate of the movement you will see they have undergone 3-D machining, transforming these flat surfaces into a relief. An electroplating process was also used to create the components’ white surface treatment. The skull motif is also incorporated into the tourbillon barret, which rotates fully in one minute.

Two pavé models will also be produced; a titanium version set with white diamonds and a black PVD-treated titanium version set with black diamonds. Both versions feature 218 diamonds on the case and 824 diamonds on a white gold dial.

Photo credit: Haute Time.