High-Tech Hublot: The True Magic Of “Magic Gold”

High-Tech Hublot: The True Magic Of “Magic Gold”

Adrienne Faurote
By Adrienne Faurote June 19, 2017

When it comes to explaining Hublot’s “Art of Fusion,” there is almost no better example than “Magic Gold.” Hublot is the first and only watch brand that has created the impossible: scratch-resistant 18K gold.

Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 Magic Gold
Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 Full Magic Gold

It has done so by literally applying the “Art of Fusion,” merging pure gold with ceramic. In general gold watches are made of 18 karat gold. This is because pure, 24 karat gold is simply too soft to make watches out of. To create 18 karat gold, pure gold is mixed with other metals to form an alloy. Copper and nickel are popular metals to incorporate in the alloy, as they not only make the gold stronger, but also change the color in respectively rose and white gold. Hublot has been able to include ceramic in the alloy, combining the precious look of gold, with the scratch resistant capacity of ceramic, while maintaining the 18 karat purity threshold.

Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon 5-day Power Reserve Indicator Full Magic Gold watch baselworld 2015 in king gold front side
Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon 5-day Power Reserve Indicator Full Magic Gold

Although 18 karat gold can perfectly handle everyday life for decades, owners will notice that it is more prone to scratch and nick then stainless steel. A common way to indicate and compare the hardness of a material is the Vickers scale. Here you the true value of what Hublot has accomplished becomes clear. Normal, 18 karat gold is around 400 Vickers, depending on the exact alloy. Magic Gold is however about 1.000 Vickers, and with that, it is, even more, scratch resistant than steel, which ranks at 600 Vickers.

Hublot Big Bang UNICO Magic Gold
Hublot Big Bang UNICO Magic Gold

Although the exact process for which Hublot is able to combine the best of both worlds is a close regarded secret, the Hublot’s crafted from it are just part of the collection. Interesting is that they have a slightly different look than regular yellow gold. It is hard to describe, but there is a glow to them that makes you realize that this is something special, something magic.