In collaboration with the UEFA Europa League, Hublot’s relationship with the beautiful game is strengthened by their latest limited edition timepiece!
For over 20 years, Hublot has been a staunch supporter of football. Yes, the world’s most popular sport naturally draws plenty of eyes to their products, but like many football fans, Hublot is more than just a commercial partner. If the company were condensed into one person, they would be among the cheering throngs who have bonded with the beautiful game.
This enduring relationship has seen Hublot support teams at every level of football, from grassroots leagues to nation-spanning championships. This year, they have once again expressed their love for the latter. Alongside their remarkable LVMH Watch Week releases, the Nyon-based brand has unveiled a new version of their Classic Fusion Chronograph in collaboration with the UEFA Europa League.
For those unfamiliar with football, last year’s release of the Hublot x UEFA Champions League Classic Fusion Chronograph might be confusing. To clarify: the Europa League is still a UEFA tournament, but it features second-tier clubs that didn’t qualify for the Champions League. Hublot has released both timepieces to honour each respective tournament.
This marks the third time, following 2017 and 2023, that Hublot has partnered with the UEFA Europa League. Each collaboration has brought inventive new design touches, without altering the silhouette you know and love. The Classic Fusion Chronograph retains its wearable dimensions and black rubber strap, with a case measuring 42mm wide, 48mm long, and 12.2mm thick.
Also in line with the standard collection is the use of Grade 5 titanium. Renowned for its lightness, toughness, and ability to take a polish, this innovative material returns once more. But this time, it is not alone. For this year’s Europa League collaboration, Hublot’s Art of Fusion is on full display.
I speak, of course, of the carbon-fibre bezel perched atop the titanium case. In keeping with the Europa League’s colour scheme, the bezel transitions from deep black to anthracite grey.
Vibrant orange fibreglass is inlaid throughout, creating a dynamic contrast that echoes the energy of the competition. This addition, inherently random in its assembly, ensures that none of the fifty limited-edition pieces look quite alike.
The football inspiration is made even more apparent by the dial display. While the watch retains its classic sunray-brushed black dial, the crowning detail sits within the three o’clock small seconds subdial.
Here, the UEFA Europa League logo — an orange octagon surrounding the tournament’s trophy — takes centre stage. What appeals to me is how seamlessly it has been integrated; it allows football fans to instantly recognise the watch’s significance, without overwhelming prospective collectors with an overly specific brand identity.
As always, the horology behind Hublot’s Classic Fusion line remains as stalwart as ever. Powering the watch is the HUB1153 self-winding chronograph movement, offering a power reserve of approximately 48 hours and a 4Hz (28,800VpH) beat rate.
The motif on the small seconds subdial is echoed on the sapphire crystal caseback, where the competition cup appears beneath the UEFA Europa League® logo. This allows Hublot to reinforce its connection to the tournaments, while preserving both mechanical and aesthetic elegance.
My Thoughts
I have the distinct honour of being the only person on my under-sevens football team to ever score an own goal. For that reason, I feel almost overqualified to talk about the intricacies of football. Failing that, I hope I’ve done justice in outlining the relationship between Hublot and this incredible sport.
With this new UEFA Europa League Classic Fusion Chronograph, Hublot hasn’t simply rehashed their love for football. Instead, they’ve set a precedent for the evolution of their designs. For far too long, collaborative pieces have felt jarring and in-your-face — effectively the designer’s equivalent of gatekeeping, shooing away casual enthusiasts while trying to over-appeal to jaded fans.
But this new watch changes that. While it still feels a little odd to praise Hublot for a conservative approach, they’ve struck a strong balance between appealing to both fans and collectors. And though I lean more toward the latter, my interest in football has been renewed thanks to Hublot.
Well… them, and the viral antics between Kate Scott, Thierry Henry, Jamie Carragher, and Micah Richards. Compounding one another, they might just make a fan out of me yet. I’ll be sure to watch the Europa League— and my favourite to win, Aston Villa — this year, to see if I can spot this gorgeous piece in the crowd. UTV!
Reference: 541.NQ.1470.RX.UEL26
Specifications
- Dimensions: 42mm case diameter x 48mm lug-to-lug x 12.2mm thickness
- Case Material: Grade 5 titanium with black carbon fibre/orange fibreglass bezel
- Dial: Sunray brushed black with orange accents & UEFA Europa League logo
- Movement: Automatic Cal. HUB1153 with chronograph (30min register) & date complications
- Power Reserve: 48h
- Beat Rate: 4Hz (28,800VpH)
- Water Resistance: 50m (5bar)
- Strap: Black rubber strap with steel deployant buckle