Tom Austin
Hublot has announced a new carbon fibre Big Bang Unico to celebrate its partnership with Swiss professional sailor Alan Roura.Kitted out in the same yellow and black colour scheme as Roura’s IMOCA racing sailboat, the Big Bang Unico Sailing Team embodies the cutting-edge engineering employed in the sailboat.The 100-piece limited edition is priced at US$25,200.Alan Roura is one extremely talented Swiss sailor. He made history as the youngest skipper to ever complete the Vendee Globe, finishing the gruelling solo, non-stop, around-the-world race at just 23 years old in the 2016-2017 edition. Having gained experience through various offshore races and extensive sailing trips, he ultimately stepped into the IMOCA circuit, where he continues to compete in high-profile races around the world. Known for his resilience, determination, and strategic approach to sailing, Roura is considered one of the most promising young talents in ocean racing.In 2019, Roura and Hublot begun a partnership which not only helped Roura improve his sailboat’s performance in the 2020-21 Vendee Globe, but also helped shape a joint effort to represent Swiss innovation. Now in 2024, Hublot has released a new watch to celebrate the collaboration, the Big Bang Unico Sailing Team.The Big Bang Unico is, for Hublot’s standards, a relatively average-sized watch at 42mm. Its case is constructed from layers of carbon fibre, woven in three planes to provide optimised strength and ultra-lightweight properties. Hublot decided this would be the material of choice, given that it matches the materials used on Roura’s 60-foot sailboat. Not only that, but it also results in a rather optimal material for watch case design, something Hublot is renowned for playing with these days. The result is a robust case that’s not too bulky, but extremely functional in harsh conditions, and water resistant to 100 metres. The case layers themselves create part of the skeletonised dial, which is protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal.The watch arrives with two strap options, one being a vibrant yellow and black rubber, and the other a black woven fabric coated with water-resistant polyurethane and given the appearance of a sail. The straps are finished with an innovative titanium and ceramic folding clasp to keep things where they should be. Again, more technical materials are used to showcase the watch’s intent; this is no safe queen Hublot; they have designed this watch to endure tough environments, and it certainly looks to be up to the job.That goes for the inside, too. The watch is powered by the in-house HUB1280, a column wheel flyback chronograph with a date function, and a power reserve of 72 hours. It’s a movement that doesn’t often get much praise despite being quite high-tech, though Hublot obviously trusted its robustness enough to put it in a watch that’s meant to be a workhorse.Sometimes, collaboration pieces don’t make a lot of sense. All too often, it’s difficult to piece together the reasons why a brand creates a watch and puts a specific individual’s name to it. While it is a niche field, Hublot nailed the brief with the Big Bang Unico Sailing Team. It represents its direct involvement with technical innovation on the sailboat itself, the partnership with a Swiss sailing hero, and celebrates the success that both have achieved in such a short space of time.Hublot Big Bang Unico Sailing Team pricing and availabilityThe Hublot Big Bang Unico Sailing Team is available now, as a limited edition of 100 pieces. Price: US$25,200BrandHublotModelBig Bang Unico Sailing TeamReference441.QX.1149.NR.ARA24Case Dimensions42mm (D)Case MaterialCarbon fibreWater Resistance100 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire crystal front and backDialMatte black, skeletonisedStrapBlack fabric with velcro and ceramic buckleBlack and yellow rubber strap, pin buckleMovementHUB1280, in-house, automaticPower Reserve72 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronographAvailabilityLimited edition of 100 piecesPriceUS$25,200
18.09.24