Share, Research, Rate: Watches & Collections
A.I. Reviews v18.1 (Members Page Beta)
Follow for Updates:
Model Name:
Hublot Service Courtesy "Not For Sale"
Watch added to favourite list
Reference:
Service_Courtesy
Price ($)
$
2000
Country:
Switzerland
A.I. Rating
6.8
Crowd Rating:
1565
Watch Description
Borrowed time: the ‘courtesy’ watches that rarely get returned
Collectors see the appeal of timepieces originally lent as temporary replacements and not available for sale
Ten years ago this month, Hublot launched a watch that was exclusive to its boutiques. The Atelier was not available to buy, but loaned to customers who left their own timepiece in the store for service or repair. A decade on, this black composite model with quartz movement attracts attention among collectors. “There is an interest in these Atelier watches, as they are not for sale,” says Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot chief executive. Due to a lack of stock, the watch is now issued only “sporadically in some exceptional cases”. Over the years, a number of brands have offered this aftersales service, which is comparable to the courtesy vehicle available to car drivers. In some cases, these service watches have inspired commercial designs. In others, their history is shrouded in mystery. When launching the Atelier, Guadalupe said it would enable a customer to “remain both physically and emotionally connected to Hublot”. A similar sentiment inspired the British brand, Bamford Watch Department, to launch its own quartz service watch, in March 2017: “it kept our name on their wrist”, says founder George Bamford (pictured top). Despite having “property of Bamford Watch Department” on the dial, none of the 97 service watches that left the company made their way back, bringing the loan scheme to an end. The piece is “in quite a few people’s collections”, says Bamford. “There’s one or two times where I’ve seen people with their briefcase full of different watches and I’ve gone, ‘What the hell is my service watch doing in there?’” When a client telephoned Bamford asking to buy four, he launched his other business, Bamford London, with an upgraded version of the service watch — the Bamford Mayfair — in November 2017. Bamford recently started collecting service watches and bought a Hublot Atelier on eBay. Guadalupe says some clients “were so fond of their Atelier watch that [the] decision was exceptionally made to offer it to them”. Hublot — which Guadalupe says first offered a courtesy watch under its founder Carlo Crocco, following the launch of the Swiss brand in 1980 — also reproduced the Atelier to give to guests who travelled to the Fifa World Cup in Brazil, in 2014.
Product Link:
36
0
18
0
50
Steel - 316L
Round
Quartz
0
Black
A.I. Watch Review:
<p class="font_8">**Hublot Service Courtesy "Not For Sale" Model Service_Courtesy Review by A.I. WatchMetrics**
### Watch Summary:
The Hublot Service Courtesy "Not For Sale" Model is a unique piece typically provided as a courtesy watch during service periods. This model is not available for purchase, making it a rare item in the Hublot lineup. It is designed to maintain the brand's signature style, often featuring a bold and modern design with a focus on comfort and functionality. The watch is intended for Hublot enthusiasts who appreciate the brand's aesthetic and need a temporary replacement during service. It typically features a quartz movement, ensuring reliability and ease of use, with a power reserve that is not a primary concern due to its quartz nature.
### Overall Watch Rating: 6.8/10.0
- **Functions Metric (8.0/10.0)**
The watch offers practical features such as water resistance suitable for daily wear and basic lume for low-light visibility. Its quartz movement ensures precise timekeeping, which is ideal for a courtesy model.
- **Brand Metric (7.5/10.0)**
Hublot is recognized for its innovative designs and luxury status, though this model, being a service courtesy piece, does not carry the same prestige as their mainline offerings.
- **Material Metric (7.0/10.0)**
The materials used are likely standard for durability and comfort, suitable for a temporary watch, but do not include the high-end materials found in Hublot's primary collections.
- **Versatility Metric (7.0/10.0)**
The watch is versatile enough for casual and everyday use, fitting well with various attire due to its neutral design.
- **Dials & Design Metric (6.8/10.0)**
The design is straightforward, focusing on functionality rather than the intricate craftsmanship seen in Hublot's more exclusive models.
- **Movement Metric (6.5/10.0)**
The quartz movement is reliable and requires minimal maintenance, which is ideal for a courtesy watch, though it lacks the complexity of mechanical movements.
- **Rarity Metric (6.5/10.0)**
While not available for sale, the watch's rarity is more about its limited availability rather than exclusivity or desirability.
- **History & Innovation Metric (6.0/10.0)**
This model does not contribute significantly to Hublot's history or innovation, serving primarily as a functional piece rather than a showcase of the brand's capabilities.
- **Complications Metric (6.0/10.0)**
The watch is likely to have basic timekeeping functions without additional complications, aligning with its purpose as a service courtesy model.
### Celebrity and Historical Figures:
While this specific model is not associated with any celebrities due to its nature as a service courtesy watch, Hublot is a brand frequently seen on the wrists of athletes and celebrities, including Usain Bolt and Jay-Z, who appreciate its bold designs and luxury appeal.</p>
