You’d be surprised at how attainable the cheapest men’s Hublot watches can be. They may very well be easily in your price range.
When you think of Hublot, you probably think of big things. Big cases. Big marketing. The iconic Big Bang watch. And, of course, big, big price tags. Guess what, though? The cheapest Hublot watches for men can be about the same price as one from a mid-tier brand.
I know this can be difficult to believe. Hublot does everything on such a large scale. From their iconic porthole-shaped cases to their penchant for combining unlike materials, they’re the definition of go big or go home.
Still, this is the exact same reason why we love them — and why you may be attracted to them. Yet their reputation as a Swiss luxury brand may have intimidated you. Today is the day you let that intimidation go.
But first, what does the average Hublot watch cost? After reviewing this article, you’ll understand why my picks are so remarkable. Let’s start here so we’re all on the same page.
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Hublot Watch Cost
A Hublot watch usually costs anywhere from $5,000 to six figures. In fact, you’d be lucky to acquire a Hublot for around $5,000. For example, on the online secondary market, you can find a Hublot Big Bang in steel and ceramic with a carbon fiber dial for $6,000 to $7,000. When I say secondary market, I’m referring to places like eBay, the RealReal, and gray markets like Jomashop.
So, at first glance, you might think that the cheapest Hublot watch for men will set you back the better part of $10,000. And yes, this is mostly true. However, with a bit of creativity, you can spend much less and still get in on the brand.
Cheapest Hublot Watches for Men
If you don’t want it to cost you an arm and a leg, then the truth is, you have to avoid the latest Hublot watches. Sure, even among the new releases, there are cheaper and more expensive options. If you go on the Hublot website directly, you won’t find anything for less than $7,000.
The watches I dug up here are a mix of new vintage and slightly more recent pieces. However, there’s nothing from the latest collection. Regardless, these relatively cheap men’s Hublot watches still feature many iconic brand design cues.
1. Hublot MDM Geneve Ref 1621 Chronograph
If you’re okay with a high-precision Swiss quartz, you don’t have to spend 20 grand to get a Hublot chronograph. Reference 1621 is a beautifully made and perfectly respectable chrono. The dial features the words MDM Geneve, which stands for Marie-Daniel Montre.
This, by the way, makes this model a conversation piece. Many of the classic Hublot watches from the ‘80s have the MDM moniker. In 1980, Carlo Crocco released The Hublot watch under the brand MDM. Marie-Daniel Montre was his wife. Oddly, or perhaps sensibly, Crocco was a notorious playboy. Many hypothesize this was his version of sending flowers.
Funny story aside, this classic watch is also perfect for small-wristed guys. Unlike so many modern Hublots, it has a 37-millimeter case. Even more, it’s only just over nine millimeters thick! That’ll wear comfortably on any wrist.
The design itself is fantastic. The steel tachymeter scale bezel is industrial yet chic, which is classic Hublot. However, the moderately sized pushers and the thin, slick lugs are delightfully out of character. You’d never guess you could wear a Hublot chronograph with a suit.
The three subdials and stick hands are simple, well-designed, and pair naturally with all colorways. They look sensible against the matte versions, like the slightly textured gray version. Meanwhile, the sunray-esque versions make the details look like they’re floating. The vivid green and deep blue dials are truly eye-catching.
And, of course, these chronographs are function-forward. The luminous dot markers glow effectively but also work as design accents even when they aren’t activated. A sapphire crystal protects that impeccable dial. The pushers are easy and fun to use. So, even though it’s a relatively simpler chronograph, it’s highly engaging and operates perfectly.
2. Hublot Classic (New Vintage)
Minimalism isn’t really something we associate with Hublot. However, look into a Hublot Classic from the ‘80s or ‘90s (otherwise known as new vintage — though ‘80s may be creeping into vintage proper). These are highly minimal watches, which also makes them highly versatile. Remarkably enough, though, they manage to maintain the Hublot aesthetic.
The hooded lugs give the design a sense of solidness. Meanwhile, the steel bezel flaunts exposed screws, which is reminiscent of the porthole design.
You can find versions with glossy indices and shiny skeleton hands. You can also find variations with no indices at all. For these versions, you can use the exposed screws on the bezels as the hour markers. As far as where you fall within the hour, your guess is as good as mine. But hey, we don’t wear watches to keep time these days (it’s why so many watches don’t clearly display time). Since we love our small watches here at TSW, I’m happy to report that these Classics come in cases as small as 32 millimeters.
This subline boasts many variations. You might find a two-tone version with a gold bezel, dial accents, crown, and strap attacher. You might even find a version with an open-and-close dial cover.
The Hublot Classic watch is no longer available new, and the modern iterations are about $8,000 if you’re lucky. However, new vintages are easy to find on secondary online markets like Chrono24 and eBay. Depending on the condition, they’ll land anywhere from below $1,000 to just over $2,000.
The 50 meters of water resistance and sapphire glass prove that Hublot wasn’t skimping out on materials even in the ‘80s, and even with their minimal quartz models.
3. Hublot Classic Fusion
Okay, we’re going into the sub-$5,000 portion of the round-up. Just keep in mind this is still on the lower end of the Hublot range. The Hublot Classic Fusion is the perfect example of how the brand famously combines unique materials with other distinctive materials. It’s also the modernized version of the prior-mentioned Hublot Classic from the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Some differences include the applied indices, the dimensional sword hands, the decorated second hand, and the bezel. This time, since there are hour markers on the dial, there are only six exposed screws on the bezel. The detail shift ensures the overall look is still quite minimal and still remarkably industrial.
Depending on which reference you choose, the Classic Fusion can be powered by an automatic movement or a quartz. It also comes in several sizes, as low as 33 millimeters. I recommend either that or the 38-millimeter case.
Hublot crafts most of these variations with strong but lightweight titanium. Dial colors available include blue, black, green, and white. You can also find versions constructed with a commanding black ceramic case. The vivid ceramic ensures a sleek onyx hue, not a murky one. Of the black versions, there are some with compelling carbon fiber dials.
Complete with a black rubber strap, this Hublot Classic Fusion watch is one of the least expensive and boasts an instantly identifiable style.
4. Hublot Big Bang E Titanium Digital
It’s a bit of a cheat, but the smartwatch version of the Big Bang is one of the more affordable Big Bangs. I don’t necessarily recommend this to guys who prefer an analog watch, but I’d be remiss to exclude one of the rare sub-$5,000 models Hublot offers.
The resting image on the digital dial is a chronograph. Between that and the Big Bang silhouette, it at least wears like the analog version.
So, who do I recommend this model to? Well, if you’re looking for a smartwatch and love the Big Bang, this titanium watch is for you. Its price point falls in the lower part of the brand’s range, which is a plus.
5. Hublot Big Bang Unico
Don’t go looking on the Hublot website for a Big Bang Unico (unless you want to pay a cool $25,000). However, check out used versions on the secondary market or offloaded ones on the gray market. You can find them in the $10,000 to $15,000 range if you do. While that isn’t cheap for most, it’s one of the few Big Bangs you can easily find for a fraction of its retail price.
The Unico is known for skeletonizing the Big Bang’s dial face. This provides a busy and technical aesthetic. It’s perfect for the horologically curious who love the inner workings of watches.
You can find it in titanium, black or white ceramic, and even gold. The smallest version is a pretty big 42 millimeters. But hey, it’s a loud watch.
FAQs
You may still have questions about Hublot. That’s no problem. Here are the most commonly asked ones, along with some concise answers!
Is Hublot a Good Watch?
Yes, Hublot is a good watch brand. They use high-end materials and boast recognizable designs, which adds to their brand identity. The porthole case design is Hublot-specific, as is their creative use and fusing of unlike materials.
Is Hublot Owned by Rolex?
No, Rolex doesn’t own Hublot. It is owned by the French luxury group LVMH. Rolex, along with Tudor and Bucherer, is under the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation.
Why Is Hublot So Expensive?
Hublot is expensive for several reasons. They make Swiss luxury watches that use high-end materials like titanium, precious metals, and gems. They also incorporate high-end and complicated movements. Importantly, they provide unique market offerings, such as their recognizable porthole design and material fusions.
Conclusion: Relatively Affordable
The cheapest Hublot watches for men aren’t affordable for everyone—I get that. However, the fact that the vintage versions can be the same cost as mid-tier watches is pretty impressive. Personally, I prefer them since they offer the Hublot vibe in a compact, minimal package.
Again, with just a little creativity, you can definitely save on your next Hublot acquisition.
Questions? Comments? Let us know below.
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