Hands On: Hublot Classic Fusion Eden Rock St. Barths Special-Edition Watches

A lot of watch brands look at their best-selling timepieces when planning extensions to lines. This makes sense because if it sold great before, a new version should also sell like hotcakes. Sometimes, though, it isn’t just about focusing on new editions, but also on lifestyles. This is an area that Swiss watch brand Hublot has honed in on and mastered.  By partnering with experts in a host of different disciplines, the brand regularly turns out watches that strike a chord with certain people. Such is the case with the new Classic Fusion and Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Special Edition Eden Rock St Barths watches unveiled last week in the French West Indies.

For these new watches, Hublot teamed up with the beloved Eden Rock resort, which just reopened after two years of renovations following Hurricane Irma’s destruction in 2017. The legendary hotel — rising from a rock peninsula in the sea and flanked on one side by Nikki Beach and on the other side by St. Jean beach — has long been a respite on the wealthy island, a place of tranquilly and luxury. Part of the Oetker Collection of luxury hotels, Eden Rock on Saint Barthélémy embodies the lifestyle of the rich and famous, and has attracted many illustrious personalities to its shores since the 1950’s.  The grand reopening of the resort showcases its rich history in all the grandeur one would expect. Even the famed Remy bar is back, now decked out with rattan light fixtures complete with rattan monkeys hanging from them.

With such playfulness and island enchantment, it makes sense that the two special edition watches would also embrace the luxury island lifestyle. Each of the two Hublot Classic Fusion Limited Edition Eden Rock St Barths watches were custom designed with Eden Rock in mind. They subtly flaunt the signature Eden Rock red on the dials and come with three different straps (alligator with red stitching, or red or white ribbed rubber) that recall Eden Rock. Just 25 pieces of each will be made — making the watches among the more exclusive pieces in the Hublot lineup. Additionally, this is the first “His and Her”  presentation the brand has made recently, although a customer can buy just the men’s or women’s watch, as they like.

I had a difficult time deciding which watch I liked better. Because I like a big watch, I wasn’t at all intimidated by the 45mm larger Classic Fusion Aerofusion Limited Edition Eden Rock watch. I love that it is a  chronograph with skeletonized self-winding movement (HUB1155) visible from the sapphire crystal.  Crafted of satin-finished and polished titanium, the watch is light weight and comfortable on the wrist. Water resistant to 50 meters, the open-worked dial and sapphire subsidiary chronograph dials allow for viewing of the blackened movement parts. At the outer edge of the dial is a white and red outer chapter ring that, along with the red central seconds hand and  Eden Rock logo, add a touch of color and vibe. Chocked with 207 movement parts, the watch is endowed with 42 hours of power reserve. It retails for $18,700.

The second Classic Fusion watch that tugs at my heart strings is a stunning 38mm piece meticulously set with 36 brilliant-cut diamonds on the case. The kicker: it features 10 red ruby markers on the shimmering white lacquer dial. Here again, the rubies recall  the signature color of Eden Rock. Like the larger skeletonized version, this watch is crafted in satin-finished and polished titanium, and is water resistant to 50 meters. It is powered by the  HUB1100 self-winding movement with 42 hours of power reserve. Each watch features a titanium caseback that is engraved with the numbered edition.This version retail for $15,800.

If you are a regular visitor to Eden Rock St. Barths, these watches can be a lasting memory of the sun and fun, and of island time.

According to Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot, the brand and Eden Rock share certain values. “We have a passion for what we do, we offer exceptional quality and service and an incredible product. This is why the partnership works.”

In addition to  Hublot and Eden Rock executives, Olympic Medalist, sprinter and “the fastest man alive,” Usain Bolt, a brand ambassador for Hublot, helped with the unveiling of the new timepieces. The watches – will be sold on property at Eden Rock, through the Oetker Collection network and at Hublot boutiques.

 

 

Trekking to St. Barth’s for this event was an incredible experience that involved hiking a couple of miles in and out of a secluded pristine beach that can only be reached either by the cliff walk or by water. There were moments I wasn’t sure I was going to keep on going it was so steep and rocky (and I didn’t have the right shoes on), but that’s another story — coming soon.