Road trip in Anticythère with Hublot and the new EXO4000

Road trip in Anticythère with Hublot and the new Hublot EXO4000


by Olivier Müller
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Brand History, Hublot

During the first week of October, Hublot went back to Anticythère. This little island in the South of Greece is well know by the manufacture : that’s where the brand saw the Anticythère treasure for the first time. It was found there, lying on the sea ground by 70 meters, and several expeditions took many parts of it back on the shores. Many parts, but not the whole of it. And that’s why Hublot, along with scientists and archeologists, went back there in order to bring back some other parts of this 22 centuries-old treasure.

Main piece of the Antikythera mechanism kept at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

Main piece of the Antikythera mechanism kept at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens.

Reconstructing the Anticythere mechanism

During the first missions, Hublot helped the diving teams identify and understand the Anticythère mechanism, un uncommon machine (for that time) able to calculate an amazing number of astronomic information. A year later, Hubot reconstructed it and presented a model of it both in Greece and in Paris, France. And finally unveiled a wrist version of it, a unique piece not for sale.

Hublot Antikythera reproduction wristwatch - Piece Unique

Hublot Antikythera reproduction wristwatch – Piece Unique

A few months later, Hublot presented the SunMoon, a simplified – read ‘understandable’ – version of the Anticythere, this one available for sale.

Hublot MP-08 Antikythera Sunmoon - Wristhot

Hublot MP-08 Antikythera Sunmoon – Wristhot

This week-end, the latest chapter of the story was open : Hublot unveiled on site, in Anticythere, a dive watch. That’s the expected development for a company that spent so much time underwater, seeking for new treasures. But not that much expected from a company that never stood in the field of diving watches. In fact, there was only one model of ‘diver’s watch’ in Hublot’s portfolio, the Oceanographic 4000. The piece required 18 months of development and was presented in Monaco. And that’s upon its basis that Hublot created the EXO4000, its new diver’s watch.

Hublot EXO4000 (Ref. 731.QX.1123.NR.EXO14-SD-HR-W)

Hublot EXO4000 (Ref. 731.QX.1123.NR.EXO14-SD-HR-W)

A new divers watch

The piece as such is very close to the original Oceanographic : same shape, same size, same caliber. However, the case has been changed to a carbon case, while the strap is now delivered in white. Pretty interesting for collectors, but not a new watch as such.

However, the EXO4000 is not Hublot’s main point here. The big picture is really about helping the greek government and the whole team of for 90% of it. Because, and even if what they have brought up so far is amazing, there’s much more to be discovered. The treasure is part of a scientists, historians, archeologists and divers get as much as possible from the Anticythere treasure, which is still 70 meters below the surface boat that carry up to 200 tons of freight. And there’s not just one boat down there, but two – at least.

The mission Exosuit with Hublot watch on the wrist

The mission Exosuit with Hublot watch on the wrist

Hublot is now one of the most active sponsors of the expedition. Which, unfortunately, can send divers underwater only a couple of weeks per year, given the streams and winds around the site. The teams are out there these days, mapping the ground under the sea in order to optimize the time spent under water with the Exosuit, a never-see-before blend of diving suit and human scaled submarine. On which Hublot hung its EXO4000, of course.

    Author Bio

    Articles by Olivier Müller

    CONTRIBUTOR

    Olivier Müller is a professional journalist specialising in horology. He divides his time between Geneva and Paris, covering horology-related topics for a dozen or so magazines and specialist websites in Europe. He is also a regular speaker at various events. In 2008, Olivier Müller set up Delos Communications to manage the writing side of his business, spanning five European countries. Delos Communications also provides consultancy services for horological communication, helping brands as they define and implement their strategy in terms of positioning, messages and audience. In addition to the world’s two largest watchmaking groups, Delos Communications’ clients include a broad range of emerging independent brands, as well as public-sector bodies keen to promote their local watchmaking heritage. Five people work for the agency, including a journalist, a photographer, a community manager and a translator, all with expertise in the world of watchmaking.