It’s a brand that isn’t afraid to experiment, which allowed Hublot to create watches that really push the limits of the excessive and avant-garde. There’s a good chance that you’ve seen your favorite athletes and celebrities wearing a Hublot timepiece.

With the Hublot Classic Fusion, the Swiss luxury watchmaker has created a truly timeless collection that just keeps on giving.

I am very excited about today’s review because we have a truly classic watch for you. For this Hublot Classic Fusion review, we dive deep into the Hublot Classic Fusion Titanium 45mm.

Prior to the Classic Fusion, my only exposure with Hublot is with the Big Bang which was so popular back in 2005 that it brought the ailing brand back to life. While I do think that the Hublot Big Bang is a feat in watchmaking, its busy and bold aesthetic is not for me.

The release of the Classic Fusion changed all that.

The Hublot Classic Fusion Titanium looks more demure and contemporary when compared to the Big Bang. I got some homework done and it’s clear that Hublot drew some inspiration from their early watches from the 1980s. At 45mm and with just a simple date window, it’s about as straightforward as you can get with a Hublot timepiece.

Unboxing the Hublot Classic Fusion Titanium was such a pleasure. I have had watches that have a more premium price point than this model but this packaging blows them out of the water. The attention to detail is astounding and it even comes with USB authentication and you can register the watch over at Hublotsale.com.

As for the watch itself, the no-nonsense approach is what makes it so interesting. Although it’s indeed a subtle and softer Hublot, the Classic Fusion Titanium is clearly a well-made watch. The 45mm wide case has me worried but it’s really not that bad unless you have a smaller wrist.

The simple crown and muted matte black dial add a great deal to the premium feel of the timepiece. The “H” screws on the bezel provide the much-needed Hublot hallmark.

Simplicity is where it’s at, and the Classic Fusion Titanium does a fine job without looking too plain and dull.

As I have mentioned, the 45mm wide case is usually at the higher spectrum of my comfort zone. However, one thing that I really like about the Classic Fusion Titanium is its slimness. Actually, I think Hublot did a great job with setting the slimness against the wide case of the watch. If you think 45mm isn’t for you, the Titanium is also available in three other sizes: 42-38-33 mm.

The polished titanium case looks great and I was surprised that it even looks better in person. The case gives that refined look which is a nice surprise coming from a brand that tends to go for louder design choices. The six H screws significantly help in achieving that trademark Hublot brand look. While the unaligned screws may annoy some people, I enjoyed the fact that they are not evenly aligned.

The imperfect placement of the screws adds a great deal of personality to the piece. The faceted lugs along with the porthole aesthetic complete the overall look of the Titanium. The mix of polish and vertical brush finishes keeps things interesting. The transparent case-back shows the beautiful movement which is always something I enjoy.

One complaint that I have is with the watch’s ability to ward off scratches and cuffs. Although Hublot claimed that they used grade 6 titanium, I was surprised that it already has tiny scuffs on the bezel only after a few hours of wear. It’s hardly a big deal but it can be a deal-breaker for some collectors.

I’ve been going about how simple the Titanium is but that doesn’t mean that it’s not stylish at all. On the contrary, this is one good-looking timepiece.

The black dial with the satin finish gives us the best of both worlds of being elegant and sporty. The dial throws light all over the place and is further enhanced by the Rhodium-plated hands and appliqués – both design elements are polished and faceted.

At 12 o’clock you will see both Hublot logos and the date window sits at 3 o’clock. The stylized Automatic label is positioned at 6 o’clock. Again, these elements are all basic and nothing to write home about but they are all well-done and symmetrical. You got to love those clean lines.

If you are looking for a similar watch with more pizzazz to it, the pricier Hublot Classic Fusion Power Reserve Titanium is certainly worth the look.

One thing that I really appreciate about the dial is its rich texture. This is where Hublot’s attention to detail pays off. From the hour markers to the hands, everything about the dial just screams textured – it’s oddly satisfying.

The dial is far from perfect though. My main issue with the Titanium is legibility. When it’s bright out, the watch suffers from legibility issues. In low light conditions, you’ll wish that the hands and hour markers are lumed for increased legibility.