In the 1980s, Jean-Claude Biver defined Hublot by its innovative concept of “Art of Fusion” which combines gold and rubber. Now, in 2022, Mr. Biver’s vision has been carried forward by CEO Ricardo Guadalupe. From a modern take on the 1980 Classic Original to a glittering high fashion piece, gold is woven throughout the new models. There is also a colorful update to their classic golfer’s watch with a lightweight carbon case, the Big Bang Unico Golf, and a selection of Big Bang Integral watches that redefine the line with a more compact case.
Yellow Gold Collection
Hublot has taken a page out of their own past by revisiting their core combination of yellow gold and black. Hublot got their start back in 1980 with the Classic Original model in a classic combination of yellow gold and black rubber strap. It was this unusual combination of materials that gave the watch its admirers, so this new collection of six watches should bring a nostalgic warmth to the hearts of Hublot collectors.
The collection starts with the Classic Fusion Chronograph, debuting its construction in yellow gold with a diameter of 42mm. This is the ultimate throwback with the self-winding bi-compax chronograph.
The Big Bang Integral is a monolithic yellow gold through the case, bezel and bracelet, and is designed from a single block of solid gold for a uniform color and pattern. This version is also available with diamonds.
The Big Bang Unico is also getting the yellow gold treatment and is paired with the iconic black rubber strap, and skeleton work for that strong Hublot DNA. It features the in-house Unico caliber with a three-day power reserve.
Bringing in the classic tonneau shape, the Spirit of Big Bang emphasizes the beauty of gold with a mix of polished and satin- finished surfaces that play with light for a dazzling finish. The contrast of matte and shine, curve and line, creates a wonderful backdrop to showcase the hi-beat 5Hz skeleton movement and the One Click interchangeable strap system gives the model ultimate flexibility.
In the words of Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe, “Collective strength is something we are very familiar with at Hublot! Embarking on our fifth decade, we decided to revisit yellow gold — one of our core materials — with not one, but six pieces. This is the first time we have unveiled such a rich set of pieces based on a single theme. The best way to reiterate our continued connection to our DNA and our ongoing commitment to forging our future!”
Tech Specs
Hublot Big Bang Unico Yellow Gold Ref 441.VX.1131.RX
Movement: Self-winding Unico 2 caliber HUB1280; 72-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph and date
Case: 42mm; satin-finished and polished 18K yellow gold; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Matte black skeleton; luminescent applied Arabic numerals and hour markers
Strap: Black structured lined rubber; 18K yellow gold and black-plated titanium folding clasp
Price: USD 36,700
Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Yellow Gold Ref 541.VX.1130.RX
Movement: Self-winding caliber HUB1153; 42-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph and date
Case: 42mm; satin-finished 18K yellow gold; water resistant to 50m
Dial: Matte black
Strap: Black structured lined rubber; 18K yellow gold and black-plated titanium folding clasp
Price: USD 26,800
Hublot Spirit Of Big Bang Yellow Gold Ref 642.VX.0130.RX
Movement: Self-winding skeletonized caliber HUB4700; 50-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph and date
Case: 42mm × 14.1mm; satin-finished and polished 18K yellow gold; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Sapphire crystal; luminescent applied hour markers
Strap: Black structured lined rubber; 18K yellow gold and black-plated titanium folding clasp
Price: USD 40,500
Big Bang Integral Time-Only 40MM
In 2020, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Big Bang series, Hublot presented the Big Bang Integral with a specially designed integrated bracelet. This was the first time that the brand had implemented the integrated bracelet — and the time was right as the integrated bracelet sports watch trend was red- hot, and it continues to be in vogue. With the Big Bang Integral 40mm, Hublot has challenged its own concept of this watch line. The 40mm diameter is slimmer than ever in a case with a material choice of yellow gold, titanium or “All Black” ceramic.
Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe explains, “No one was expecting it, so of course we did it: a Big Bang Integral that is more compact, vibrant and powerful than ever, at the same time as being more refined than any of its other timepieces. It has been a true exercise in watch design, retaining our aesthetic and technical grammar but in a totally new format f or us. We pulled off the challenge by creating a Big Bang Integral, which once again proves its versatility and modernity!”
The integrated bracelet is a three-link design with polished and satin-finished links that have been chamfered and beveled to maximize the play of light on the metal. The time-only movement has been engineered to perfectly fill the new dimensions of the case in a compact design. Each color features a matching yellow gold, titanium or All Black ceramic index, hands and date window to complete the integrated look of the timepiece. Each watch is crafted from a single monolithic block except for the composite bezel and the grip-friendly rubber- molded crown.
Tech Specs
Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only Ref 456.NX.0170.NX (titanium); 456.VX.0130.VX (yellow gold); 456.CX.0140.CX (“All Black”)
Movement: Self-winding caliber HUB1710; 50- hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
Case: 40mm; satin-finished and polished titanium, 18K yellow gold or black ceramic, water resistant to 100m
Dial: Sapphire crystal; luminescent applied hour markers
Strap: Satin-finished and polished titanium bracelet; satin-finished and polished 18K yellow gold bracelet; satin-finished and polished black ceramic with black-plated titanium folding clasp
Price: USD 17,800 in titanium; USD 49,400 in yellow gold; USD 19,900 in black ceramic
Availability: “All Black” edition limited to 250 pieces
Big Bang Sang Bleu II
The Big Bang Sang Bleu II will see three new models to mark the seventh year of Hublot’s partnership with Maxime Plescia-Büchi, a tattoo artist renowned for his precise three-dimensional geometric patterns. The three new Sang Bleu II watches celebrate the artist’s vision and give him a unique range of new materials to mark with his signature style.
The watchmakers at Hublot and Plescia-Büchi worked together once again to create a wearable piece of tattoo art in three different material and colorway options. Gold makes an appearance again, but the engineers at Hublot have taken the material up a few notches. The material is called Magic Gold and was developed and patented by Hublot. It’s the first and only scratch- resistant 18K gold alloy, and it delivers a hardness of almost 1,000 Vickers — for reference, 316L stainless steel has a Vickers hardness value of only 140.
The artwork is superimposed on the case and bezel for a wearable tattoo, the geometric patterns extending from the mechanism and disk hands out along the rubber strap. The HUB1240 movement is visible behind the skeleton dial, adding more depth to the final design.
The Big Bang Sang Bleu II is also available in Hublot ceramic (also engineered to achieve 1,500 Vickers rather than the traditional ceramic rating of 1,200) in a Black Magic or a green ceramic version.
According to Plescia-Büchi, “When you get a tattoo, you take a risk, an indelible decision to express yourself and to impart important messages or symbols that convey a significant moment in your life. This is exactly the spirit we strive to inject into the watches. A Hublot watch is a choice, a decision, an affirmation, a reflection of your essence and the message you wish to convey. For me, tattooing such unique materials in an indelible way represents a complementary facet of my art.”
Tech Specs
Hublot Sang Bleu II Ref 418.MX.1103.RX.MXM22 (Magic Gold); 418.CX.1107.RX.MXM22 (Black Magic); 418.GX.5207.RX.MXM22 (green ceramic)
Movement: Self-winding Unico caliber HUB1240; 72-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph and date
Case: 45mm; polished 18K Magic Gold, satin-finished and polished black ceramic, or satin finished and polished green ceramic; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Matte black skeleton or matte green skeleton; white Arabic numerals
Strap: Black or green rubber; black ceramic and black PVD titanium folding clasp
Price: USD 42,000 in Magic Gold; USD 27,300 in black or green ceramic
Availability: Limited edition of 100 pieces in Magic Gold, 250 pieces in black ceramic, and 200 pieces in green ceramic
Big Bang Unico Golf — Orange Carbon Edition
For a sports watch, the most interesting element is the power that the tool can bring to the game. The Big Bang Unico Golf “Orange Carbon” elevates your own experience on the green with a mechanical golf watch that can track your score over 18 holes.
Hublot partnered with iconic golf legend Dustin Johnson to create this tour de force for the sport in 2017, and they named it the Big Bang Unico Golf. It challenged the world of golf watches by bringing a fully mechanical Swiss made wristwatch into a space dominated by digital watches. This watch can help track the current hole, the number of shots taken and the cumulative score for the round in an intuitive interface.
The 45mm Big Bang Unico Golf “Orange Carbon” brings a new level of usability with the lightweight carbon material in an exciting orange colorway. The putter-shaped pusher to activate the shot counting mechanism is a jaunty yellow to match the yellow stroke counter on the dial at three o’clock. This can be reset to zero with another pusher that advances the hole indication. The pusher can be locked against accidental press until the end of the round.
The skeletonized movement adds an element of interest with eye-catching moving parts activated with each operation. With a power reserve of 72 hours and a high-tech orange fabric strap for durability and comfort, it’s easy to focus on the love of the game.
Says Johnson, a current ambassador for the brand, “I love this watch. It’s so complex and beautiful, but also so light and easy to use. Players can overthink golf, when it’s better to relax and just play the game. This watch captures some of that — it’s the kind of device that slows everything down, encouraging you to stay calm while you’re out there. What I like is that the same skill, patience and discipline you need to achieve that on the course are also behind making a watch this technical and this smart. I think it looks great, and I am proud to add it to my collection. Thank you, Hublot for another great watch and our continued partnership.”
Tech Specs
Hublot Big Bang Unico Golf — Orange Carbon Edition Ref 416.YO.1120.VR
Movement: Self-winding Unico caliber HUB1580; 72-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and 18-hole golf score complication
Case: 45mm; carbon fiber with orange Texalium upper layer; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Matte black skeleton; luminescent applied hour markers
Strap: Black rubber with carbon fiber texture décor and orange calf leather; black ceramic and black-plated titanium folding clasp; additional orange fabric with Velcro black-plated aluminum clasp
Price: USD 32,500
Big Bang One Click
For those who relish a bit of variety, the Big Bang One Click presents an interesting timepiece. Available in either King Gold or steel, each case can be partially or fully set with black or white polished dials. The hours are marked with brilliant-cut diamonds except for the three o’clock position, which is reserved for the date. Sophisticated and sparkling, these watches are paired with either a black or white rubber strap and can be switched with “one click” to any of the 12 silky bracelets of “soft touch” grained calf leather for a new look through the changing seasons.
The Big Bang One Click was born from the fastening system used in fine jewelry, and they showcase this in the set and sparkle of the diamonds. The most exclusive version will have a case lined with eternal stones for the height of luxury. From subtle to intense, this model gives the wearer a timepiece that changes with a whim for a watch to suit any situation.
Tech Specs
Hublot Big Bang One Click 33MM
Movement: Self-winding caliber HUB1120; 40-hour power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
Case: 33mm; satin-finished stainless steel or 18K King Gold, both with diamonds; water resistant to 100m
Dial: Polished black or white, both set with diamonds; luminescent Arabic numerals and hour markers
Strap: Black or white structured lined rubber; stainless steel or 18K King Gold and titanium folding clasp
Price: Starting from USD 13,600
Reclaiming the Past, Paving the Future
It’s easy to see the warmth and retro charm of yellow gold, and to admire the way Hublot has redefined the silhouettes and technology to make it new again. The yellow gold theme has woven itself through much of the new releases, and done so with style and innovation. It’s always exciting to see the engineering aspect of watchmaking as new materials evolve through the years and Hublot remains a leader in this space. The collaboration between the watchmakers and artists always brings something special to the table, and Maxime Plescia-Büchi’s work with Hublot is a shining example of the magic to be found in collaborations. Hublot has an exciting lineup with something for every taste and personality.
