Inside Hublot's Cush New San Francisco Digs

Shopping for watches that cost more than most peoples' cars shouldn't be taken lightly, and judging by its ultra-luxe new boutique in San Francisco, Hublot agrees. We were one of the lucky few invited to get an early sneak peek inside, which is styled with the same handsome and sophisticated flair that goes into what they put on your wrist.

The Union Square spot is the Swiss watchmaker's 12th freestanding boutique in the States, and the first ever in San Francisco. 

Through the doors you're greeted by a plush carpeted two-story oasis where, ironically, you'll lose track of time examing all the goods beneath the glorious glass displays. Eat your heart out, Swatch mall kiosk.
 

While it was acquired by LVMH a few years ago, the Hublot brand has been around since 1980 when it was founded by Carlo Crocco of the Binda Group, best known for manufacturing Breil watches. 

Named after the French word for "porthole," the brand turned heads as soon as it hit the Basel Watch Fair, and saw sales of over $2 million in its first year on the market. However, it wasn't until 2003 when watch industry titan Jean-Claude Biver took the reins and introduced the Big Bang chronograph (above), that things really took off.

The timepiece has become the brand's signature, and the success of their portfolio of Big Bangs has enabled Hublot to expand tremendously. Today, they boast 50 boutiques around the world.

They've since unveiled a number of special and limited edition pieces, and have partnered with the likes of Formula 1 and Ferrari, as well as a number of American and International sports teams and athletes. 

Trying out watch after watch after watch is utterly exhausting. Thankfully, there's an elegant lounge to take a load off when you're tuckered out.

And even if every last piece in there is egregiously beyond your budget, you owe it to yourself to make a pit stop just to ogle.


Joe McGauley is a senior editor at Supercompressor and approximately 254,209 hours old.