This week, Hublot, along with Carlito Fuente released a celebratory piece, marking the 25th anniversary of OpusX – one of the finest cigars in the world.
Fine cigars and watches have a lot in common. Both are made by skilled people who have taken years to hone their craft, both are enjoyed by aficionados of their respective categories (sometimes both) and both have a history and story to tell. When a brand like Hublot, who likes to buck convention and go its own way teams up with one of the world’s best Cigar families, the result is always going to be striking. And this is what we have in the latest Hublot x Fuente timepiece, the sixth between the two. This time, is a King Gold Classic Fusion Chronograph, and I can say it is definitely a good-looking piece in the metal!
Back in 2012, Carlito Fuente and his family cigar business, Arturo Fuente Cigars celebrated their 100th birthday, and for this, joined forces with Hublot to create timepieces with a charitable bent – with a portion of the profits from the watches supporting the Dominican population through the Fuente Family Foundation. Since then, there have been five Hublot x Fuente collaborations, and this year it’s a special year as the Fuente family is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their Fuente Fuente OpusX line – the first Dominican puro cigar produced by Carlito Fuente and one of the most acclaimed cigars ever produced thanks to the way they are made.
This year, Hublot and Arturo Fuente, headed up by Arturo Fuente’s grandson, Carlito Fuente celebrate the family’s most sought-after cigars, the Fuente Fuente OpusX. These cigars are made by the most skilled and experienced cigar rollers, “torcedores” who have to undergo a further 10 months of training before being allowed to make the OpusX cigars. Unlike other premium cigars that use 5 leaves, OpusX uses 9 leaves, and are then left for 2 years to mature and gain the robust and mature aromas they are famous for. So, for Hublot, creating a piece that spoke to this craft was essential, and created the Classic Fusion Chronograph Arturo Fuente King Gold, with all the hallmarks of Hublot, the Classic Fusion and adding in elements that bring out the Arturo Fuente brand.
Done in an 18-carat King Gold (Hublot’s version of rose gold) case, and measuring 42mm in diameter and 11.9mm thick, the watch is striking in the metal as the contrast of the fumé gradient smoked green dial and green alligator strap really offset this piece. Hublot has laser-engraved tobacco leaves on the bezel, and this helps to bring to life the partnership and a nod to the famous cigar family. As a design aesthetic, it also helps to frame the dial and give the otherwise brushed bezel great character.
The dial has been done in a smoked gradient fumé green, that starts out as a deep, dark green at the outer, then lightens as you move towards the centre of the dial. This, mixed with the King Gold hands, hour markers, and chapter rings on the chronograph sub-dials give a striking contrast and if you’ve read previous articles of mine, I’m quite partial to a deep green dial matched and rose gold watch. The OpusX logo can be found on the small seconds dial at 3 o’clock, another nod to the cigar collection.
The Classic Fusion Arturo Fuente Chronograph has been given a celebratory case back, with a limited edition number of 50 inscribed into the case. The Fuente OpusX 25-year motif is engraved with black and green lacquer, along with Carlito Fuente’s signature and the name of the family estate in the Dominican Republic – Chateau de la Fentue. Inside is the HUB1153 self-winding chronograph movement, beating at 4Hz and giving the watch a 48-hour power reserve. It’s a passable power reserve, but at the end of the day, standard for this movement and not one to worry too much about if you’re wearing this piece on a regular basis.
Like other Fuente collaborations, this piece comes in a green lacquer box, that doubles as a cigar humidor, designed in collaboration with Manny Iriarte, long-time creative partner. For those who are cigar lovers, this is a great secondary prize here as you’re not left with a watch box lying around that like most of us with these, sitting in a drawer or closet gathering dust.
Initial Thoughts
I’m not a cigar guy, and I probably wouldn’t be able to tell you the difference between the OpusX Forbidden X or the OpusX Angel’s Share cigars. But that doesn’t matter as I know that these are made with skill and love for a craft that is over a century old in the case of the Fuente Family. And does it mean I like the watch less because of this? No. In fact, because of the watch, I want to delve deeper into the cigar side of this collaboration and learn more about it. It’s the innate curiosity in me I guess, but also, the watch has an altruistic component as well, which is a bonus.
No matter how much of a watch nut you are, or how much you delve into the ins and outs of the watch, the movement, and all that geeky stuff we do, sometimes a watch is just plain cool. You’re drawn to it because of the way it looks and feels on the wrist and the way it makes you feel. For me, this is exactly what happened with this piece when the team and I had a play with it prior to the launch this week. The green and gold colourway is great, it pops. The design of the bezel with the cigar leaves is cool, and it is different. The watch is a talking point, and with only 50 pieces available, not a piece you’ll see in the wild much, if at all.
Reference: 541.OX.8980.LR.OPX24 – limited to 50 pieces
Specification:
- Case: 42mm x 11.9mm thick
- Case Material: Satin-finished and Polished 18K King Gold
- Dial: Gradient Green Sunray with 18k King Gold hands and hour markers. OpusX logo on the small seconds dial
- Crystal: Sapphire with Anti-reflective Treatment
- Movement: HUB1153 Self-winding Chronograph Movement, beating at 4Hz / 28,800 Vph & pivoting on 39 jewels
- Case-Back: 18k King Gold with black and green lacquered OpusX 25 motif
- Water resistance: 50 metres / 5 ATM
- Power reserve: 48 hours
- Strap: Black Rubber and Green Alligator Leather Strap with 18K 5N Gold and Black-plated Stainless Steel Deployant Buckle Clasp
