Introducing: Hublot Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo

Hublot and Japanese designer Yohji Yamamoto are back for a fourth collaboration. This limited edition celebrates the shade of black. For Yamamoto, this carries greater significance than the mere absence of color; it is a statement. The same goes for Hublot, making the Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo interesting from a design-philosophy standpoint.

On a more practical level, this limited edition of 300 pieces is available through a selection of Hublot boutiques and online. This version of the Classic Fusion costs CHF 10,500 or €12,000. Let’s have a closer look!

The Hublot Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo

Allow me to start with the mundane. We should probably get the basics and specifications out of the way before we delve into the bigger ideas behind the Hublot Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo. At its core, this is a typical 42mm Classic Fusion case with a 10.4mm thickness and a 5atm pressure rating. Hublot crafts the case from microblasted ceramic, yielding a soft, powdery, and light-absorbing exterior. The characteristic H-shaped screws in the bezel are black-plated titanium, and the case back combines microblasted ceramic with a smoked sapphire display.

Inside ticks caliber HUB1110, which is a Sellita SW300-1a at heart, finished at Hublot. The automatic movement measures 3.6mm thick and offers roughly 48 hours of autonomy on a full wind.

The Hublot Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo also contains a black and gray textured dial. The embossed camo pattern contains different textures and minutely raised and lowered surfaces. It reminds me of slate’s organic, layered pattern. The watch comes on a — you guessed it — black strap in rubber and fabric.

Questioning luxury norms and excess

Okay, with that out of the way, we can look at fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto’s philosophy and reasons for going all black. Yamamoto presented his first collection in Paris in 1981. The all-black designs were received as radical. It was his statement against decoration, freed from fashion in a sense.

As Hublot’s CEO, Julien Tornare, puts it, “For Yohji Yamamoto, black reveals what truly matters; it purifies form, letting silhouette and texture speak.” Indeed, Yamamoto’s designs often layer black on black, using only form, texture, and opacity. This rebellious streak resonated with Hublot. The house, similarly, sees it as its mission to question what luxury is and to challenge the norms. The very first creation shocked the conservative watch world by pairing gold with rubber, for instance.

There is something meta and perhaps contradictory about challenging the norms of luxury via a blacked-out Hublot. It feels probably more on-brand for Yamamoto than it does for Hublot. Still, it shows confidence that the house is willing to entertain this experiment, even if exuberance is perhaps more natural to it.

Closing thoughts on the Hublot Classic Fusion Yohji Yamamoto All Black Camo

Design philosophies aside, Hublot watches reduced to their essence tend to work. This Yohji Yamamoto limited edition is no exception. The blacked-out theme and the fairly subtle texture on the dial allow the base design to sing. Similarly, involving designers from the fashion world also tends to yield good results. This applies here. Little details, such as the Hublot logo and Yamamoto signature printed on the crystal, display thoughtfulness.

All in all, Yamamoto brings us a neat interpretation of the trusted Hublot Classic Fusion recipe. What do you think of it? Let us know in the comments section below!