Watch Paparazzi

Singer The Weeknd spotted wearing Hublot

The Weeknd has quietly built one of the more serious watch collections in contemporary music, and a recent sighting confirms he is keeping that standard intact. The Canadian singer-songwriter was photographed wearing the Hublot Classic Fusion King Gold Pavé, reference 521.OX.1181.LR — a 45mm dress-sport hybrid that sits at the upper end of the Classic Fusion catalogue in terms of both materials and price.

The 521.OX.1181.LR is constructed from Hublot's King Gold, an 18-karat rose gold alloy developed and patented by the manufacture in 2010. By increasing the copper content and adding trace elements, Hublot engineered a metal that oxidizes more slowly and holds its warm, deep tone longer than conventional red gold. The 45mm case is paired with a diamond-set bezel and a dial that continues the pavé treatment, giving the watch a full-luxury character that contrasts with the Classic Fusion's otherwise architectural, almost minimalist lineage. Power comes from the HUB1110 calibre, a self-winding movement beating at 28,800 vph with a 42-hour power reserve — competent, reliable, and entirely appropriate for a watch at this price tier.

The Classic Fusion line was introduced by Hublot in 2010 as a slimmer, more formal counterpart to the brand's flagship Big Bang. The reference 521.OX.1181.LR represents the jewellery-forward wing of that family, where precious metal and stone-setting take precedence over technical novelty. Collectors who focus on Hublot tend to view the King Gold pavé variants as statements rather than movements-first purchases — which is precisely the intent.

The Weeknd has been linked to Hublot on multiple occasions and has worn Richard Mille and Patek Philippe references in the past, suggesting a collector's eclecticism rather than a single brand loyalty. Wearing this particular reference — heavy on craft, restrained on ostentation by pavé standards — tracks with that sensibility.

At UK retail around £23,000, the 521.OX.1181.LR converts to approximately $29,000–$30,000 USD at current rates. On the grey market, King Gold pavé Classic Fusions move near or slightly below retail depending on condition and box-papers status, reflecting steady but not frenzied demand. It is not a speculative buy, but it holds value with reasonable consistency for a jewellery-category Swiss watch.