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Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, speaks with Riga Ramadhan about his first year at the helm, the brand’s latest collaboration with Daniel Arsham and his vision for shaping Hublot’s future
<figure id="attachment_113117" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-113117" style="width: 720px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-113117" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT_JULIEN_TORNARE_CEO_3_9984e46640.jpg" alt="" width="720" height="1080" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT_JULIEN_TORNARE_CEO_3_9984e46640.jpg 720w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT_JULIEN_TORNARE_CEO_3_9984e46640-200x300.jpg 200w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT_JULIEN_TORNARE_CEO_3_9984e46640-683x1024.jpg 683w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-113117" class="wp-caption-text">Julien Tornare</figcaption></figure>
Under the electric buzz of Singapore’s skyline, Hublot brought together guests, collectors and friends of the brand to celebrate the launch of its latest collaboration with Daniel Arsham: the MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire. Amid the excitement, Hublot’s CEO Julien Tornare sat down with DAMAN Caliber for an exclusive conversation. Now marking his first year leading the brand, Tornare brings fresh energy and a forward-thinking vision shaped by decades in the Swiss watch industry.
Between the unveiling of Arsham’s sculptural creation and discussions on creativity, Tornare reflected on Hublot’s fearless approach to innovation, its ongoing dialogue with art and the balance between heritage and modernity. True to Hublot’s “Art of Fusion” philosophy, the event represented far more than a product launch—it was a celebration of bold ideas, creative freedom and the power of time to inspire new forms of expression.
<figure id="attachment_113116" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-113116" style="width: 608px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-113116" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-10.jpg" alt="" width="608" height="1080" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-10.jpg 608w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-10-169x300.jpg 169w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-10-576x1024.jpg 576w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-113116" class="wp-caption-text">The Hublot MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire</figcaption></figure>
DAMAN: Looking back on your first year as Hublot’s CEO, what have been the biggest highlights—and perhaps the main challenges—for you so far? 
Julien Tornare: Very simple. The biggest highlight for me has been celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Big Bang collection. It’s a big milestone because the Big Bang is really the legacy of Jean-Claude Biver, who relaunched the brand in the early 2000s. We had a huge responsibility to celebrate it properly.
At the same time, our focus has been firmly on the future—which starts now. By 2026, we’ll unveil major new watch developments. We’re reimagining the Big Bang and also bringing the Classic Fusion back to the roots of its Italian elegance. That’s a project I’m personally very excited about. Expect a major surprise next year.
Historically, Hublot gained its spotlight through dynamic, disruptive marketing—a pioneering approach that many now emulate. I give full credit to my predecessors for injecting that vitality into the brand and the industry. This strength in marketing has always been matched by unparalleled creativity in materials. Whether ceramic or sapphire, Hublot was a pioneer. Where I think we haven’t yet received full recognition is in the field of watchmaking itself.
Coming from purist houses like Vacheron Constantin and Zenith, I was truly astonished by the depth of horological know-how I found here. For a 45-year-old brand—very young in this industry—our in-house capabilities are incredible. My mission now is to amplify that. We’ll introduce proprietary movements, elevate our finishing and integrate more complications. The goal is to firmly establish Hublot as a high-end watchmaking brand but always through our distinctive, disruptive lens. That combination is uniquely ours.
Ultimately, my challenge is to deepen understanding. People may love Hublot or they may not—but if they don’t, I want it to be for the right reasons. There’s a natural tendency to dismiss what one doesn’t understand. I want to make sure that before anyone forms an opinion, they truly grasp the substance, the art and the innovation that define this house.
DA: Hublot is often described as a young brand in Swiss watchmaking terms. What do you hope to contribute that will define your chapter as CEO? 
JT: It’s quite simple: I want Hublot to be among the top five watchmaking brands in the world. That means achieving the right balance between serious high-level watchmaking and the creativity, innovation and dynamism of a contemporary brand.
Many traditional brands have long histories and rich heritages—but that can also make them prisoners of their own legacy. Hublot is not. We’re completely free to explore new directions, and that freedom is a tremendous advantage. I’m Swiss, I was born into the culture of watchmaking and I can say that Hublot occupies a unique space in this landscape. Over the next few years, my goal is to keep surprising people.
Next year, you’ll see some truly remarkable product developments. I’ve been working hard on new ideas and can’t wait to reveal them. This year was all about celebrating the Big Bang but next year—we’re turning the page toward the future.
<figure id="attachment_113111" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-113111" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-113111" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-3.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-3.jpg 1080w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-113111" class="wp-caption-text">Daniel Arsham at the watch&#8217;s launch event in Singapore</figcaption></figure>
DA: Looking at the future of luxury watchmaking, how central are artistic collaborations in shaping Hublot’s identity as a brand? 
JT: Creativity has always been at the core of Hublot’s DNA. We often talk about Jean-Claude Biver and the Big Bang era but we also need to look further back to our founder Carlo Crocco. What he did in the early 1980s was revolutionary—pairing rubber with gold at a time when the Swiss watch industry was extremely conservative.
As a Swiss person, I can tell you that move was almost unthinkable back then. But Carlo was Italian and that made all the difference. He wasn’t bound by the rigid expectations of Swiss tradition. He was bold, free-spirited and ready to shake things up. That spirit set the tone for everything Hublot stands for today.
Collaborating with artists is simply an evolution of that same philosophy. It’s how we express individuality in an industry where too many brands look and act alike. There’s a real risk of uniformity—and Hublot exists to counter that.
I often say, if you get on a plane and everyone’s wearing the same jacket, it’s boring. The same applies to watches. When you wear a Hublot, you’re not following the crowd—you’re leading your own path. That’s why artists love to work with us. I tell them, “The only rule is that the watch must tell time and function properly. Beyond that, it’s your playground.” That freedom—to create, to dream, to experiment—is what makes Hublot so exciting. We never stop exploring what’s possible.
<figure id="attachment_113114" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-113114" style="width: 607px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-113114" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-6.jpg" alt="" width="607" height="1080" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-6.jpg 607w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-6-169x300.jpg 169w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-6-576x1024.jpg 576w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 607px) 100vw, 607px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-113114" class="wp-caption-text">The MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire</figcaption></figure>
DA: Speaking of artistic collaborations, what is the central idea behind the MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire and what do you hope it communicates to Hublot’s audience? 
JT: Working with Daniel Arsham is always an exploration of new design and perception. The MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire marks the next chapter in our collaboration. It embodies Hublot’s Art of Fusion—blending fine watchmaking with art to create a timepiece that’s visually striking and technically groundbreaking. It invites us to see time through Arsham’s fluid and imaginative lens.
<figure id="attachment_113119" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-113119" style="width: 1080px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-113119" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Julien-Tornare-and-Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-3.jpg" alt="" width="1080" height="720" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Julien-Tornare-and-Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-3.jpg 1080w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Julien-Tornare-and-Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-3-300x200.jpg 300w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Julien-Tornare-and-Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-3-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Julien-Tornare-and-Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-3-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1080px) 100vw, 1080px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-113119" class="wp-caption-text">Julien Tornare and Daniel Arsham at the Hublot MP-17 launch event in Singapore</figcaption></figure>
DA: Daniel Arsham is known for his “fictional archaeology” aesthetic. How does that idea resonate with Hublot’s philosophy of watchmaking? 
JT: What makes Daniel such a fascinating collaborator is his deep engagement with the concept of time. Time is abstract—philosophical, even spiritual—but in our daily work, we tend to reduce it to schedules and production numbers. Daniel reminds us of its deeper meaning.
He doesn’t just play with the aesthetics of time—he questions it, reshapes it, reinterprets it. Take his pocket watch design, for example. It’s a form many would consider outdated, yet he reimagined it as something strikingly modern. That’s exactly the kind of creative dialogue we value at Hublot—turning something from the past into something that feels futuristic. Now Daniel wants to explore Hublot’s earliest roots and reinterpret our heritage through his own artistic lens. He constantly finds that balance between past and future, between nostalgia and innovation. In many ways, that’s what Hublot itself is about—creating watches that measure time but also make us think about it.
<figure id="attachment_113118" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-113118" style="width: 864px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-113118" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Julien-Tornare-and-Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-2.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="1080" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Julien-Tornare-and-Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-2.jpg 864w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Julien-Tornare-and-Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-2-240x300.jpg 240w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Julien-Tornare-and-Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-2-819x1024.jpg 819w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Julien-Tornare-and-Daniel-Arsham_-Hublot-MP-17-Launch-Event-in-Singapore-2-768x960.jpg 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-113118" class="wp-caption-text">Julien Tornare and Daniel Arsham</figcaption></figure>
DA: With innovation becoming this huge buzzword across the industry, how do you ensure Hublot’s innovations remain meaningful rather than merely experiential? 
JT: It’s our responsibility to keep that spirit of dynamism and innovation alive. You’re right—20 years ago, Hublot was almost alone in that space. Now many brands are trying to play the same game. The only answer is to innovate more, be more creative and show true leadership.
Take ceramic, for instance. Other brands use it but how many can produce multi-color or vividly colored ceramic? Only us. Some brands use sapphire but how many make their sapphire in-house? When you look closely, you realize Hublot does so much internally while others rely on external suppliers. That makes a big difference in the end.
<figure id="attachment_113115" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-113115" style="width: 608px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-113115" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-8.jpg" alt="" width="608" height="1080" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-8.jpg 608w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-8-169x300.jpg 169w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-8-576x1024.jpg 576w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-113115" class="wp-caption-text">Casebacck and dial of the MP-17</figcaption></figure>
DA: The watch industry often finds itself in a paradox: customers want tradition as well as disruption; they expect timelessness while also expecting novelty. How do you balance these opposing forces? 
JT: That’s a great question—and you’re right, it’s a real paradox. People find comfort in tradition but excitement in creativity. The challenge is finding the right balance. Historically, Hublot has leaned more toward innovation and creativity but I now want to strengthen our communication about our watchmaking expertise.
We’re upgrading our movement strategy, our finishing and our overall perception of craftsmanship. I want people to feel reassured that they’re investing in something lasting. But at the same time, they’re buying into a brand that delivers emotion, energy and unique experiences.
<figure id="attachment_113113" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-113113" style="width: 608px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-113113" src="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-4.jpg" alt="" width="608" height="1080" srcset="https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-4.jpg 608w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-4-169x300.jpg 169w, https://backend.daman.co.id/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/HUBLOT-MP17-ARSHAM-SPLASH-4-576x1024.jpg 576w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 608px) 100vw, 608px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-113113" class="wp-caption-text">The MP-17 Meca-10 Arsham Splash Titanium Sapphire</figcaption></figure>
It’s all about setting the right balance—because we need both. Some brands risk becoming museum pieces if they rely too heavily on heritage. As an industry, we must be careful not to fall into that trap. Watchmaking must evolve from the inside out. That’s what keeps it alive—and that’s what keeps Hublot at the forefront.

A chat with Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, on the “Art of Fushion” and the brand’s creative momentum

CEO of Hublot,

Hublot,

julien tornare