Charles Hubert Pocket Watch Review: Should You Buy One?

The vintage fashion sentiment is trending again — you can already see the uber popularity of the granny glasses and loafers. With the right attire and charisma, you too can pull off a pocket watch in 2021.

As you can guess, the spotlight is on the pocket watch today.

I’m not here to advocate for the pocket watches today. Rather, let’s focus on a great watch brand from Paris and their great collection of pocket watches.

Charles Hubert is a relatively newer brand in the watch market. They mainly take pride in being a fashion brand. But their massive collection of Charles Hubert pocket watches is something to talk about.

That being said, let me jump on to the main point — Charles Hubert pocket watch review.

5 Best Charles Hubert Pocket Watch Review In 2021

Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3846 – The Overall Best

The first watch on the list is a best-seller from Charles Hubert. Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3846 has some of the greatest features that you’d want in your pocket watch.

The first thing that you’d notice is the color combination and the eloquent design aesthetics of the case. While most of the pocket watches from Charles Hubert come in either a silver or gold-tone, this one has a two-tone combinational finish.

You’ll get a demi hunter case, meaning you can see the time through the transparent cover. Charles Hubert also boasts of the see-through case-back. It’s a great addition as people can admire the beauty of the skeleton dial.

If you’re a watch nerd like me, you must be wondering about the type of movement.

Charles Hubert 3846 has a hand-winding mechanical movement with seventeen jewels. Also, you should note that Charles Hubert offers a lifetime warranty for the movement.

However, there’s a concerning issue here.

Charles Hubert doesn’t disclose the name of the manufacturer of the movement. All we know that the movement is made in China by an unknown third party.

Despite this fact, Charles Hubert seems very confident about the quality of their watches. Otherwise, there’s no meaning behind the lifetime warranty.

Overall, the model 3846 is an impressive option given the budget-friendly price tag.     

Product Specifications – Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3846

• Movement: Mechanical
• Case Material: Brass
• Case Finish: Two-Tone Combination Finish
• Casing Type: Demi Hunter
• Case Diameter: 48mm
• Case Thickness: 16mm
• Dial Style: Skeleton
• Crystal Material: Acrylic
• Weight (Approx.): 113 grams (4oz.)
• Engravable: No

Charles Hubert Premium Collection, Model: 3904-G – Best Premium Option

Charles Hubert Premium Collection, Model: 3904-G is more of a superior option compared to the previous option. You can tell the difference at first glance.

The gold-plated polished case screams elegancy!

Also, Charles Hubert has used the stainless steel instead of the common brass case here. It gives the watch better durability. You’re getting the double hunter case, meaning the case opens up like clam with two separate shells on the front and back.

One of the most desired features of a pocket watch is the scope of personalization. The back of the case remains clear so that you can do personalized engraving.

Yes, you can write anything (up to four lines) on the back.

This feature makes the watch a great gift option, especially for your loved ones.

There’s nothing too special about the movement here. Charles Hubert used their signature 17-jewel mechanical movement. It’s the same movement as the Model 3846 coming from a Chinese manufacturer.

As this is one of the premium options from Charles Hubert, the watch is almost flawless. Naturally, this is a bit expensive compared to the other pocket watches from them.

Product Specifications – Charles Hubert Premium Collection, Model: 3904-G

• Movement: Mechanical
• Case Material: Stainless Steel
• Case Finish: Gold-Plated Polished Finish
• Casing Type: Double Hunter
• Case Diameter: 54mm
• Case Thickness: 19mm
• Dial Style: Skeleton
• Crystal Material: Acrylic
• Engravable: Yes (Up to Four Lines)

Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3928 – Best Budget Pick

Despite the fact that I’ve put this watch in the ‘budget category,’ Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3928 certainly is my favorite option!

There are a number of features that you don’t see even in the premium pocket watches.

For example, you’ll instantly fall in love with the case-back. It has a retro vibe to it — thanks to the decorative engravings.

You’ll feel like an Indian Maharaja!

Charles Hubert didn’t ditch the see-through case-back. Rather, they just used the engravements like a circle encompassing the see-through window.

However, Charles Hubert didn’t fully commit to the vintage looks. I think the Model 3928 offers a balance between vintage and contemporary design aesthetics with a shiny chrome finish.

The front part has a demi hunter shell with Roman numeral markers.

You’ll get the same 17-jewel mechanical movement just like the previous two options. And, yes, it too comes with the lifetime warranty.

That means you’re getting all the premium features in this extremely budget-friendly option. If you’re unsure of committing to a pocket watch and spend a lot of money, this watch might just offer the perfect solution.

You can try out this pocket watch and see if a pocket watch syncs with your style and fashion sense. With the jaw-dropping price, you don’t have much to lose!

Product Specifications – Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3928

• Movement: Mechanical
• Case Material: Brass
• Case Finish: Polished Chrome Finish
• Casing Type: Demi Hunter
• Case Diameter: 47mm
• Case Thickness: 14mm
• Dial Style: Skeleton
• Crystal Material: Acrylic
• Weight (Approx.): 113 grams (4oz.)
• Engravable: No

Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3537

If you favor going for a more retro design (compared to the last one), Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3537 is a great option.

Why so?

Rather than going for the shiny chrome, this watch has a silver finish. The matte silvery finish leans more towards the retro design aesthetics. Also, the watch has coined edges that we used to see in the early twentieth century.

However, the best part of the watch is the case-back. It has a guilloche pattern and a royal shield emblem right in the middle. This shield emblem has a polished finish and is the designated place for making personalized engravements.

Moreover, the model 3537 has double hunter case that opens like a clamshell.

It’s really fascinating how Charles Hubert has stacked so many desirable features in one watch.

In short, if you’re looking for a true classic pocket watch, Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3537 is the watch to go for!

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Product Specifications – Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3537

• Movement: Mechanical
• Case Material: Brass
• Case Finish: Silver-Tone Combination Finish
• Casing Type: Double Hunter
• Case Diameter: 47mm
• Case Thickness: 18mm
• Dial Style: Skeleton
• Crystal Material: Acrylic
• Engravable: Yes

Charles Hubert Premium Collection, Model: 3955-W

Let’s talk about another premium pocket watch from Charles Hubert — Charles Hubert Premium Collection, Model: 3955-W.

The Model 3955-W stands apart from all other Charles Hubert pocket watches in terms of design and style.

While most other watches have a hunter casing, this one has an open face style.

Wait, doesn’t that make the watch vulnerable to external damages?

Yes, but this watch comes with better materials.

For example, this watch has a mineral crystal, unlike the plastic (acrylic) crystals that watches have. Mineral is not the most durable crystal option, but it’s far superior to the cheap plastic.

Then comes the choice of material for the case.

Instead of going for brass, model 3955-W has a stainless steel case. So, you’re getting more durability from this watch.

Also, the case a polished stainless-steel finish throughout the body. So, you can have personalized engravement on the back.

The watch face is significantly different from the other watches on my list. Rather than a skeleton dial, it has guilloche pattern with a separate small dial window for the seconds.

All-in-all, Charles Hubert Premium Collection, Model: 3955-W opts for a more straightforward design principle with much better durability and build quality.

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Product Specifications – Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3846

• Movement: Mechanical
• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Case Finish: Silver-Tone Polished Finish
• Casing Type: Open Face
• Case Diameter: 46mm
• Case Thickness: 12mm
• Dial Style: Guilloche
• Crystal Material: Mineral
• Engravable: Yes

Is It A Good Brand? Are Charles Hubert Watches Good?

The name Charles Hubert Paris is a bit confusing! People instantly think that the company is based in France and maybe a guy named Charles Hubert is the visionary behind the brand.

But it’s not!

Actually, the company is based in Los Angles, California. They used the name of the famous French composer Charles-Hubert Gervais from the Baroque era.

Apparently, they used the name of Charles-Hubert Gervais and Paris just for branding and marketing purposes!

Also, the Charles-Hubert Paris brand is owned by Unitron Enterprise Corporation, which is basically an import company from the US. So, Charles Hubert doesn’t design or manufacture the watches but only imports them.

Their main suppliers are based in Hong Kong and China. This bill of lading suggests that one of their suppliers is based in Yantian, China.

Some of their suppliers include Mamona Enterprises Ltd. (Hong Kong), LUXPACK Mfg. Ltd. (Hong Kong), and WTF Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Dongguan, China).

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These pieces of evidence prove that Charles Hubert watches are neither made in Paris nor in the USA. There’s no evidence of the true origin of manufacturer. Some reviewers believe that those mechanical movements are from Japan which is highly unlikely.

Now, the main question is — Is Charles Hubert a good brand?

Despite the misleading branding efforts, Charles Hubert watches do offer quality. The company advertise that their watches have a lifetime warranty (on manufacturing defects) and they stand by their promise. The users are pleased with customer service and warranty policies.

Also, Charles Hubert watches are very, very cheap. When you compare the price and the quality, these watches offer impressive value.

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What Did We Like About This Brand?

You can’t deny the fact that you’re getting immense value in contrast with the price that you are paying.

Many other Chinese watch brands offer pocket watches at the same price point. Charles Hubert is far better than those watch brands, in terms of quality and functionalities.

So, the pricing and the quality (compared to the price) are the two best features of the Charles Hubert pocket watches.

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What Didn’t We Like About This Brand?

We really hated their shady branding and marketing policies. It’s misleading and misguiding.

In fact, such practice even made me question the quality of the watches. Don’t get me wrong — the quality of the Charles Hubert pocket watches is great, impressive actually!

But the questionable branding practices destroyed the brand value!

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Conclusion

Before we finish, let’s talk about best Charles Hubert pocket watch.

Which one is the best?

I would say that Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3846 is the best option, considering the functionalities, design, and pricing. Then, Charles Hubert Premium Collection, Model: 3904-G comes the second place. And, finally, Charles Hubert Classic Collection, Model: 3928 assumes the third place.

What do you think?

Do you agree with my picks?

Let me know your thoughts on the best Charles Hubert pocket watch in the comment section below.