As a brand known for oversized and aggressively technical watches, Hublot’s latest creation is unusually delicate and intricate. The Classic Fusion Gold Crystal is an all-black wristwatch with a striking gold-patterned dial that has surprising beauty on a small scale.

Reminiscent of fossilised plants, the motif on the dial is actually solid gold, formed by vaporising the precious metal, revisiting an idea Hublot first mooted in 2017 with the experimental Gold Crystal watch that relied on gold from rivers around Geneva.

According to Hublot, the technique to create the decoration was developed in-house and starts with a tiny amount of pure, 24-carat gold. The metal is heated to its melting point, and then heated some more, creating a vapour-like stream of gold.

The tiny gold particles are then channelled to a cold metal plate, causing them to cool instantaneously, which form what Hublot terms “gold crystals”. These tiny pieces of gold are them sorted for size and shape, with only 20% suited for use on a watch dial, according to Hublot.

The resulting pieces are then arranged by hand on a black dial, which is then covered with a transparent lacquer – in a vacuum so as to prevent bubbles forming – and then baked in an oven to set the lacquer.

The rest of the watch is basically a monochromatic canvas for the gold crystal decor. It’s a stock Classic Fusion in black ceramic – the case, bezel, and back are black ceramic, while the screws are black-coated titanium. Available in two sizes, 38 mm and 45 mm, the watch is powered by the HUB1112, an automatic movement that’s a rebadged Sellita SW300-1.

Priced at US$21,000 for the large model, the Classic Fusion Gold Crystal costs double the base-model Classic Fusion in black ceramic. The price premium is tough to swallow, but the Gold Crystal is unquestionably the most novel – and beautiful – of the many variants of the Classic Fusion.

Key facts and price

Hublot Classic Fusion Gold Crystal
Ref. 511.CX.0660.LR (45 mm)
Ref. 565.CX.0660.LR (38 mm)

Case diameter: 45 mm; 38 mm
Case height: 10.95 mm; 9.6 mm
Material: Black ceramic
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: HUB1112 (based on Sellita SW300-1)
Features: Hours, minutes, seconds
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Winding: Automatic
Power reserve: 42 hours

Strap: Alligator-covered black rubber

Availability: From Hublot boutiques and retailers
Price: US$21,000 for 45 mm; US$20,000 for 38 mm

For more, visit Hublot.com.