Square Bang

One of Hublot’s defining personality traits, beyond a passion for the art of fusion, has been a certain eschewal of conventional forms. Sure, the Big Bang and the Classic Fusion are, at their hearts, round watches, but thanks to numerous characteristically Hublot design tweaks, the overall feel is for a watch with a shape all its own. In this context, it’s perhaps surprising that it’s taken us until now to see a Square take on the Big Bang.

Describing the “why” of the Square, Hublot’s CEO Ricardo Guadalupe says; “The square watch is a very specific object that most watchmakers dare not tackle. This is a divisive, disruptive and unconventional shape that no one has known how to rework for decades.” There’s a certain element of Hublot-appropriate hyperbole in Mr. Guadalupe’s statement, but he’s not wrong in stating that the square is an unconventional choice and one that watch brands (who typically err on the side of conservatism) don’t invest too heavily in, but if anyone can make a sporty square work at scale, it’s Hublot.

For this first draft of Square Bangs, we get five different versions; a limited edition All-Black number, along with versions in titanium, titanium and ceramic, King Gold, and King Gold and ceramic. The dimensions are large (this is Hublot, after all) but not overwhelming at 43mm across and 14.5mm tall. The movement used across the board is the Unico manufacture chronograph caliber, and this circular caliber inside a squared-off case creates a pleasing circle-in-a-square design motif that prevents the Square Bang from feeling formal. The square motif is picked up in the new “chocolate squares” motif strap, which is attached using Hublot’s One Click system. This watch, along with the Spirit of Big Bang, will be key pillars in a new “shaped” collection.

Big Bang Integral Ceramic

New shapes aren’t the only item on Hublot’s agenda for 2022. We’re also treated to a rainbow panoply of new integrated ceramic models. Green, blue and beige to be specific, each limited to 250 pieces. And while all three of these models have the same broad appeal that the Integral collection in general has, the standout, from a trend perspective at least, is the green. Sitting between khaki and olive, this sophisticated option is everything you want in a luxury ceramic sports watch right now.

Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire

Of course, blue, green and beige are fairly tame within Hublot’s standard operating framework. If you’re looking for something a little louder — and a lot more complicated — the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire is here for your consideration. The latest iteration of Hublot’s bold sapphire cases, this 44mm case is ultra-hardwearing and ultraviolet. Powered by the caliber HUB6035, a manufacture tourbillon movement with a micro-rotor at 12 o’clock, it’s limited to 50 pieces.

Tech Specs

Square Bang

Big Bang Integral Ceramic

Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire