Footballer Karim Benzema spotted wearing a Hublot

Karim Benzema, the Ballon d'Or-winning striker who led Real Madrid to multiple Champions League titles, was recently spotted on the wrist with one of Hublot's most technically ambitious pieces: the Classic Fusion Ultra-Thin Skeleton Tourbillon in King Gold, reference 505.OX.0180.LR. The sighting is consistent with Benzema's long-standing relationship with the brand, but the reference itself deserves considerably more attention than a celebrity endorsement typically commands.

The 505.OX.0180.LR is built around the HUB6010 caliber, a manually wound, skeletonized movement that Hublot developed to push its Classic Fusion line into haute horlogerie territory. The movement operates at 21,600 vph and delivers an exceptional 115-hour power reserve — remarkable for a hand-wound tourbillon of this complexity. The full bridge architecture is skeletonized to dramatic effect, revealing the flying tourbillon cage at 6 o'clock with no central bridge obscuring the view. Total case thickness sits at 6.25mm across a 45mm King Gold case, a genuine engineering achievement for a movement of this complication.

King Gold, Hublot's proprietary 18k rose gold alloy, incorporates platinum-group metals to produce a denser, harder surface than standard 18k rose gold. The result is a warmer, deeper hue that develops a distinct patina over time — a detail that collectors who actually wear their watches appreciate. The dial aperture and smoked sapphire crystal back showcase the movement from both sides.

Benzema has worn Hublot publicly for years and serves as a brand ambassador, making sightings of his pieces useful reference points for the marque's product positioning. His choice of the Ultra-Thin Skeleton Tourbillon, rather than the more conspicuous Big Bang line, signals a collector's preference for technical depth over visual volume — a distinction worth noting.

On the market, the Classic Fusion Ultra-Thin Skeleton Tourbillon ref. 505.OX.0180.LR carries an official UK list price of approximately £85,000. In the grey market, King Gold tourbillon references from Hublot's Classic Fusion line tend to trade near or slightly below retail, reflecting the brand's healthy production volumes. For a hand-finished tourbillon in a proprietary gold alloy with this power reserve specification, the value proposition holds up under scrutiny.