Hublot problems are mostly wear and damage on the outside of the watch rather than movement failures: rubber strap wear, loose H-screws, a chipped bezel or ceramic case, tired gaskets and, on quartz models, a flat battery. Each repair is quoted individually after inspection.
What Are the Most Common Hublot Problems?
The table lists the most common Hublot problems, with the likely cause, what you will notice and the usual fix. It covers the Big Bang, Classic Fusion, Spirit of Big Bang and King Power. It is a guide to what to look for, not a diagnosis, because a watchmaker needs to see the watch to be sure.
| Problem | Likely cause | What you notice | Usual fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber strap wear | Rubber ages with sun, sweat and heat | Cracking, fading, stretched holes, a loose fit | Replace the strap with a correctly fitting part |
| One Click system faults | Worn release mechanism or a strap that does not fit well | Strap loose at the lug, stiff release | Inspect the mechanism; fit the right strap; replace worn parts |
| H-screw loosening | Wear, vibration or the wrong driver | Loose or missing screw, rattle, damaged screw head | Tighten with the correct H-shaped driver; replace damaged screws; check the seal |
| Bezel damage | Knocks and ageing bezel gaskets | Scratches, a loose bezel, a gap at the edge | Refinish or replace the bezel; replace the gasket and reseal |
| Sapphire crystal damage | Impact | Chip, crack, deep scratches | Replace the crystal and gasket; pressure test |
| Ceramic or carbon case chips | Hard but brittle materials take sharp knocks | Chip at an edge, a crack, worn coating | Assessed individually; a chip usually means replacing the part |
| Water resistance and condensation | Gaskets age; screws or crown not secure | Mist under the crystal, spots on the dial | Stop wearing it; inspect; replace gaskets and pressure test |
| Chronograph faults | Wear, dirt, shock or magnetism | Hand not resetting, stiff pushers, chronograph will not start | Service the chronograph; replace worn parts |
| Crown or pusher wear | Use and ageing seals | Stiff crown, pushers that stick | Replace the worn part and test the seal |
| Quartz battery | Battery runs flat | Watch stops or the seconds hand jumps | Replace the battery and reseal |
Most Hublot problems are visible long before they become serious. We do not publish prices for these repairs, because the cost depends on the model, the part and what an inspection finds. Every job is quoted after inspection. For the interval between services, see our guide to how often a Hublot should be serviced.
Are Hublot Watches Reliable?
Hublot watches are generally reliable when they are serviced and cared for. The strong opinions you will see about the brand, including searches for "Hublot common problems", are mostly about design and branding, not mechanics.
Are Hublot problems more common than on other brands? Not in kind. The honest picture is that Hublot problems are usually wear items. Straps age, screws loosen, bezels and crystals take knocks, and gaskets harden. Those are the same issues any sports watch develops. Hublot has made in-house movements, such as the Unico HUB1242, and has also used movements based on third-party calibres, so the specifics depend on the reference. A complicated chronograph needs a watchmaker who knows the movement, and a rare limited edition may need parts to be sourced.
What shortens the life of a Hublot is neglect: a worn gasket left in place, a loose screw ignored or a mist under the crystal that is left for weeks. Most Hublot problems are cheap to deal with when they are caught early.
Hublot Problems With the Strap and One Click System
Strap wear is the most visible of the Hublot problems on the wrist, because the vulcanised rubber straps are on the wrist every day. Rubber cracks, fades and stretches with age, sun and sweat, and a worn strap can loosen at the lug.
Hublot strap replacement and One Click
Hublot's One Click system is a quick-release mechanism that lets a strap be swapped without tools. That convenience also shows up the weak points. A strap that does not fit snugly, a worn release button or a damaged lug end can make the strap loose or let it come away. Hublot strap replacement is straightforward when the right part is fitted, so we check the mechanism first and then fit a strap that matches the model.
Hublot clasp replacement
A deployant clasp can wear at the hinge or the release. Hublot clasp replacement means inspecting the clasp, the strap end and the fixings, and replacing what is worn. A clasp that does not close firmly is worth fixing quickly, because a watch can come off the wrist.
Hublot Problems With Screws, Bezel and Sapphire Crystal
The next group of Hublot problems comes from the look of the watch itself: the exposed H-shaped screws, the bezel and the crystal.
Hublot screws
A classic Big Bang bezel is held by a ring of H-shaped screws, and they can loosen with wear and vibration. A loose screw can rattle, mark the bezel or let the bezel shift. The most common mistake is using the wrong driver, which damages the screw head and the bezel. Do not keep tightening a loose screw. A watchmaker will use the correct H-shaped driver, tighten to the right setting, replace damaged Hublot screws and check the seal underneath.
Hublot bezel
A Hublot bezel can be scratched, chipped or loosened by a knock, and the gasket beneath it ages. Depending on the material, the work may be a refinish, a new bezel or new gaskets with a pressure test. A loose bezel is also a water-resistance risk, so it should not be left.
Hublot sapphire crystal
The Hublot sapphire crystal resists scratches well but can chip or crack on a hard impact. Replacing it means fitting a new crystal and gasket, then pressure testing the case. A cracked crystal lets moisture in, so stop wearing the watch until it is repaired.
Ceramic, Carbon and Gold Cases: Chips and Wear
Ceramic, carbon fibre, Texalium and King Gold cases are what make a Hublot distinctive, and each wears in its own way. Ceramic is very hard but brittle, so a sharp knock can chip an edge. Composite and carbon cases can show wear on the surface or the coating, and gold cases scratch like any soft metal.
Chips are among the Hublot problems that can be hardest to put right. These materials cannot be polished like steel. A chipped ceramic part usually needs to be replaced, not refinished, and the right part has to be sourced for the reference. For that reason these repairs are assessed individually after inspection. If you are weighing a repair against selling a watch with a chipped case, our guide to selling a damaged Hublot explains the options, and our guide to how much your Hublot is worth covers what sets the value.
Need a service or repair?
Bring your watch to our in-house workshop at 88 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, opposite Harrods. We inspect it and give you a clear quote before any work starts.
Hublot Problems With Water Resistance and Water Damage
Hublot water damage is the most serious of the Hublot problems, because moisture marks a dial and a movement quickly. Many Big Bang models are rated to 100 m and many Classic Fusion models to 50 m, but check the rating for your reference. The rating applies only while the gaskets are in good order and the crown and screws are secure.
Typical causes are an aged gasket, a loose screw, a damaged crystal or a crown that is not fully secure. The warning signs are mist under the crystal, small spots on the dial or a cloudy date window. If you see any of them, stop wearing the watch and have it inspected the same day. A watchmaker will usually replace the gaskets and pressure test the case, and where moisture has reached the movement, strip and clean it. The earlier it is caught, the smaller the job tends to be.
A Hublot crown replacement is another job that protects the seal. A stiff, loose or damaged crown is worth replacing and testing before it lets water in.
Hublot Movement Problems: Chronographs and Quartz Batteries
Hublot movement problems are usually minor, and Hublot problems inside the case are rarer than the ones outside it. They show up as timekeeping drift, a stiff control or a stopped watch. They are less common in a watch that has been serviced regularly.
- Chronograph faults. A chronograph hand that does not reset, pushers that stick or a chronograph that will not start come from wear, dirt, shock or magnetism, and a chronograph service usually puts them right.
- Magnetism. A watch that suddenly gains or loses time may have been near a phone, a speaker or a magnetic clasp. A watchmaker can demagnetise it and check the rate.
- Stopped or erratic running. Dried lubricant, shock or moisture can stop a mechanical Hublot. Do not force the crown or pushers.
- Quartz batteries. On a quartz Big Bang or Classic Fusion, a flat battery is the likeliest reason for a stopped watch. The battery should be changed and the case resealed, so the water resistance is kept.
What Does a Hublot Repair Cost?
The Hublot repair cost is quoted individually after inspection, because Hublot problems range from a strap to a movement repair. We do not publish prices for Hublot work, because a strap, a bezel, a crystal and a movement repair are very different jobs, and the model and materials change the parts needed.
Ask for a written quote that lists the parts and the labour, says whether genuine parts will be used and includes a pressure test after any work on the seals. A fixed figure given without seeing the watch is a guess.
How Often Should a Hublot Be Serviced?
A full service every three to five years is a sensible guide for most Hublots, and sooner if the watch is worn daily or exposed to water. A service catches worn gaskets and dried lubricant before they cause the Hublot problems above, and a Hublot that is checked regularly rarely develops serious Hublot problems. Our guide to how often a Hublot should be serviced gives the detail.
Hublot Repair at Knightsbridge Watches, Opposite Harrods
Our in-house workshop has more than 30 years' experience with luxury watches. We inspect the watch first, explain the fault and quote before any work starts, with no obligation to proceed. Our showroom is at 88 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1ER, opposite Harrods, an easy trip from Chelsea, Kensington, Mayfair and Belgravia.
To have any of these Hublot problems looked at, see our Hublot repair page. For Hublot watch repair, including Hublot Big Bang repair, strap, bezel, crystal and crown work, bring the watch in or call 08000 337 333 or 07733 333 212. For other brands, see our page on watch repair in London. Our workshop is independent and is not affiliated with Hublot. We are open Monday to Friday 10:00 to 17:30 and Saturday 10:00 to 17:00.
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common Hublot problems?
The most common Hublot problems are wear and damage on the outside of the watch: rubber strap wear, loose H-screws, bezel and crystal damage, chips in ceramic or carbon cases, and tired gaskets. Chronograph faults and flat batteries on quartz models also come up. Each is quoted after inspection.
Are Hublot watches reliable, or are Hublot problems common?
Hublot watches are Swiss-made luxury watches and are generally reliable when serviced and cared for. The criticism you read online is mostly about design and branding, not mechanics. Hublot problems are usually wear items such as straps, screws and seals, and they are fixable.
How do I replace a Hublot rubber strap or clasp?
Hublot's One Click system lets a strap be released and swapped without tools, but a poor fit or a worn mechanism can make it look easier than it is. Hublot strap replacement and clasp replacement are best done with a correctly fitting part, so have the watch checked first.
Why are the screws on my Hublot loose?
Hublot screws can loosen through wear and vibration, and they are damaged by the wrong driver. Do not keep tightening a loose screw. A watchmaker will fit the correct H-shaped driver, tighten to the right setting, replace any damaged screws and check the bezel seal.
Can a Hublot be water damaged, and what is the water resistance?
Yes. Hublot water damage usually starts with an aged gasket, a loose screw or a crown that is not fully secure. Many Big Bang models are rated to 100 m, but the rating depends on the seals. If you see mist under the crystal, stop wearing the watch and have it inspected the same day.
How much does a Hublot repair cost?
The Hublot repair cost depends on the model, the part and what an inspection finds, so it is quoted individually after inspection rather than from a fixed list. We explain the work and the price before anything starts, with no obligation to go ahead.
What is the warranty period for Hublot watches?
It depends on where and when the watch was bought, so check the warranty card or ask the retailer or Hublot. If your watch is still under warranty, check the terms before using an independent workshop. We confirm the cover on our own work in writing with the quote.
Which Hublot problems make a watch suddenly stop working?
On a quartz Hublot a flat battery is the likeliest cause. On a mechanical model it can be dried lubricant, magnetism or damage after a knock. Do not force the crown or pushers. Bring it in for inspection, and act the same day if there is any moisture under the crystal.
Where can I get a Hublot repaired in London?
Knightsbridge Watches has an in-house workshop at 88 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1ER, opposite Harrods. Bring the watch in and we will inspect it, explain the fault and quote before any work starts. You can also call 08000 337 333 to book.
Related guides
Need a service or repair?
Bring your watch to our in-house workshop at 88 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge, opposite Harrods. We inspect it and give you a clear quote before any work starts.
Open Monday to Friday 10:00 to 17:30 and Saturday 10:00 to 17:00. Mobile and WhatsApp 07733 333 212.