Hublot Classic Fusion Tributo revives the 1980 original in gold, now with an in-house movement

Hublot, has been having quite the 2026, last month with the amazing Balloon Dog watch, and now launching the Classic Fusion Tributo, a recreation of the original 1980 Hublot watch. It comes in yellow or white gold, and both versions cost US$30,900 / £23,600.

The original Hublot was created by Carlo Crocco under the MDM Genève name. It was the first watch to pair a gold case with a rubber strap. Crocco showed it at Basel Fair, and it changed luxury watchmaking.

This new watch is a tribute to that design, not a straight copy. It borrows the design language, but updates it for modern tastes. Oh, and almost everything underneath is new.

The case grows from 36mm to 38mm. The twelve domed bezel screws stay, as does the date at 3 o’clock. The dial has no hour markers, just like the first one.

I like that Hublot has resisted the urge to fiddle too much. I think minimal suits this brand better than the bolder designs Hublot is more known for. It’s also a reminder that it was a design rebel long before the Big Bang.

I’ve always been a big fan of the original MDM Hublot. I even have a saved eBay search for them and have watched the price grow and grow. So I’m biased, but this is exactly the kind of tribute I wanted to see.

The original was quartz, but this one has the HUB1711 Manufacture automatic movement, with a power reserve of around 50 hours. You can see it through the sapphire case back. The rotor is shaped like the Hublot “H”.

Hublot has also skipped its One Click strap system. Instead you get exposed lugs and a plain black rubber strap to keep the 1980 look intact.

The yellow gold version stays closest to the original. It has a black lacquered dial with a subtle charcoal finish. “MDM” is printed at 6 o’clock, a nod to Crocco’s original signature. The oscillating weight is 22K yellow gold.

The white gold model is cooler and more monotone, Hublot says it draws on Italian tailoring. It has a polished black onyx dial and black screws. The rotor is black tungsten.

Both look great, but nothing beats gold on rubber.

MDM also stands for Main Dans la Main, the foundation Crocco set up in 1998. It supports vulnerable children and communities. Hublot will donate CHF 100,000 to it.

Crocco says seeing the first design brought back to life is “deeply emotional”.

The Classic Fusion Tributo in yellow or white gold is priced at $30,900 / £23,600. It is available now at selected Hublot points of sale and on Hublot’s website.

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