Black on Black on Black is how we describe the new Hublot Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo. Did we say it was black?
Hublot has been breaking the norms in the Watch industry since 1980, when the Classic Original debuted in gold and rubber. So it makes sense for a brand that has been defying convention over the past 45 years to team up with another brand that has been doing the same thing in its field. Enter Yohji Yamamoto, who has been breaking tradition on fashion runways since 1981, using his predominantly all-black colour palette.
Enter the fourth instalment of the collaboration between Hublot and Yohji Yamamoto, and this time it is an all-black Classic Fusion with a slight twist – black camouflage. But before we get into the new watch, a quick lesson on Yohji Yamamoto.
He originally studied law in post-war Japan before switching to fashion. As a result, he felt more philosophical than decorative, which can be seen through his fashion designs. He launched his namesake label in the early 1970s, but it was his Paris debut in 1981 that changed fashion thanks to his predominantly black, oversized, asymmetrical garments featuring raw hems, draping, and intentional imperfection. Critics initially called it “Hiroshima chic” (a deeply ignorant take at the time), but designers quickly realised he was rewriting the rules – just like Hublot was at the same time.
Since 2020, Hublot and Yamamoto have teamed up to bring to life (now) four watches that fuse both brands’ design principles together. The first came about in May 2020 in the form of a Hublot Big Bang GMT All Black Yohji Yamamoto – a limited-edition Big Bang with a matte all-black design and GMT complication, made to celebrate the opening of Hublot’s Ginza boutique in Tokyo. The second was later in 2020: a Hublot Big Bang Camo Yohji Yamamoto with a black ceramic case and bold camouflage motif, and the third was an offshoot of this: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo – a rarer Unico chronograph variant featuring black camo treatment as opposed to the green camouflage.
This latest model takes black to a new level, thanks to its all-black design, including blacked-out hands, indices, and a date window, all in a 42 mm Classic Fusion black ceramic case. This 300-piece limited edition sets itself apart by incorporating an all-black camouflage dial with different shades of black, which means that when it catches the light, you can see the different silhouettes of the shapes, plus the Yamamoto signature.
On this new collaboration, Hublot CEO, Julien Tornare says:
“For Yohji Yamamoto, black reveals what truly matters; it purifies form, letting silhouette and texture speak. At Hublot, we treat black as a living material, sculpted, layered, and folded, where each surface interacts differently with light. This project marks our very first collaboration on a Classic Fusion model, and together, we share the belief that luxury is not what shines, but what endures”
Inside the new Hublot Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo is the MHUB1110 calibre – an automatic calibre with 48-hour power reserve and can be seen through the smoked sapphire caseback.
Pac ked up in a special edition box, with Yohji Yamamoto’s signature on the front is also a nice touch, and completes the look of the watch iteself. In the words of Yohji Yamamoto himself: “Black is modest and arrogant at the same time”. You can interpret this how you like, but for me, I feel it means that it is subtle in design and look, but at the same time, it is anything but!
Initial Thoughts
Hublot is a brand that does break convention. While the Classic Fusion is not the most out there watch, it is the heritage of the brand and has the DNA of where is all started for Carlo Crocco back in 1980. This new model fuses this with the design philosophy of Yohji Yamamoto that also pays homage to the 2020 model collaborations and extends on the Big Bang All Black Camo 6 years ago.
Being in the 42 mm size, and only 10.4 mm thick, the Classic Fusion does fit most wrists nicely, and for those collectors that want to wear a piece that has the DNA of Hublot, plus the design style of one of the most acclaimed fashion designers in the last 50 years, this piece just may tick those boxes. And even if you’re not into fashion, or know who Yohji Yamamoto is, this is still a cool stealth piece that can diversify any collection for those who are bold enough to do so.
Reference: 542.CI.6670.NR.YOY
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 42mm x 10.4mm thick
- Case Material: Microblasted Black Ceramic
- Bezel: Microblasted Black Ceramic with 6 H-shaped titanium screws
- Dial: Black and Grey Camo Printing with hands in black plated matt
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Caseback: Ceramic and smoked Sapphire crystal
- Movement: HUB1110 self-winding chronograph movement beating at 4Hz / 28,800 VpH
- Power Reserve: Approximately 48 hours
- Water Resistance: 50M / 5ATM
- Strap: Black fabric and black rubber with black-plated steel deployant buckle.