Zach Blass
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Hublot’s collections are expansive, beginning with the entry-level Classic Fusion and working upwards towards the most complex MP range. Smack-bang in the centre, however, is where most of the action and excitement is: Hublot’s Unico-driven range. This includes the Square Bang range, which debuted at Watches & Wonders 2022 – but the veteran Big Bang range is where we truly have a rainbow of materials and colours to explore, including experimentation such as the Big Bang Unico case crafted from recycled Nespresso pods. So, what ground is there left to cover? With the “Art of Fusion” brand’s knack for material innovation, the latest Unico models explore new colours and metals – whether entirely new to Hublot’s repertoire or new to the particular range.Big Bang Unico OrangeA first-ever for Hublot, for any collection, the Big Bang Unico is now available in a new orange ceramic colourway. While some of the biggest name brands in the world have struggled to perfect coloured ceramic inserts used in their bezels that Hublot has long perfected for its cases, Hublot makes formulating the material in a new colour easy – trust me, it is anything but. In terms of cases, the marketplace largely sees models in black or white ceramic. In 2019, Hublot was the first to achieve a bright and vibrant coloured ceramic case with the red Big Bang. It was later followed in 2021 with yellow ceramic. To be clear, the red and yellow ceramic came at a time when the brand had already executed cases in blue, grey, and green ceramic, and Hublot has since iterated on these colours even more.Now, orange is yet another notch in their material innovation belt. The Hublot Big Bang Unico Orange is otherwise identical to recent models, with a 42mm case that is 14.5mm thick and 100 metres water-resistant. It also continues to leverage Hublot’s One-Click interchangeable strap system, and, at its heart, the MHUB1280 Unico flyback column-wheel chronograph calibre with 72 hours of power reserve.BrandHublotModelBig Bang Unico OrangeCase Dimensions42mm (D) x 14.5mm (T) x 52mm (LTL)Case MaterialOrange ceramicWater Resistance100 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire crystal front and backDialOpenworked with orange accentsBraceletBlack and orange rubber, black ceramic and titanium deployantMovementHUB1280, in-house, column wheel chronographPower Reserve72 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronographAvailabilityLimited to 250 piecesPriceUS$26,900Big Bang Unico Dark GreenAs I already mentioned, green ceramic is something Hublot has been well-versed in for some time. But this new Dark Green model brings the colour back to the current catalogue. Keep in mind, Hublot’s more advanced and vibrant coloured ceramic watches are typically limited editions. As you would expect, the entire case is fabricated in dark green ceramic except for the case bumpers, crown and chronograph pushers. The dial is once again openworked, largely adopting a black colour blended with accents of case-matching dark green for elements such as the borders of the floating numerals. Also, the measurements of the case, calibre used, and bundled One-Click interchangeable straps are retained. Like the Orange, it is limited to 250 pieces.BrandHublotModelBig Bang Unico Dark GreenCase Dimensions42mm (D) x 14.5mm (T) x 52mm (LTL)Case MaterialDark green ceramicWater Resistance100 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire crystal front and backDialOpenworked with dark green accentsBraceletBlack and green rubber, black ceramic and titanium deployantMovementHUB1280, in-house, column wheel chronographPower Reserve72 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronographAvailabilityLimited to 250 piecesPriceUS$24,100Big Bang Unico Pink SapphireIn the same manner, Hublot has explored a wide range of coloured ceramics, the same can be said for the brand in the realm of coloured sapphire cases as well. Once upon a time, a Big Bang One-Click 39mm made its debut in pink sapphire, but this was a time and date-only model with diamonds set into the bezel. For the first time, we have a Big Bang Unico in pink sapphire with no diamonds. Dimensionally speaking, and regarding the calibre used, all is the same as the previously covered Big Bang Unico watches. The difference, aside from the obvious difference in colour and material used, is the fact that this sapphire case is 50 metres water-resistant, rather than 100 metres.BrandHublotModelBig Bang Unico Pink SapphireCase Dimensions42mm (D) x 14.5mm (T) x 52mm (LTL)Case MaterialPink sapphire crystalWater Resistance50 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire crystal front and backDialOpenworked with pink accentsBraceletTransparent pink rubber, titanium deployantMovementHUB1280, in-house, column wheel chronographPower Reserve72 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronographAvailabilityLimited to 100 piecesPriceUS$121,100Square Bang Unico Full Magic Gold and Ceramic Magic GoldA subtle Square Bang Unico update for 2024, the collection now adds Hublot’s Magic Gold into the mix for the first time. Previously only available in Hublot’s more rosey King Gold, the introduction of Magic Gold brings a more yellow gold-adjacent hue into the mix. Based on what was listed on Hublot’s e-commerce platform prior to this edition of Watches & Wonders, the Square Bang has, of course, been presented in gold and ceramic. That being said, while there have been configurations that include ceramic bezels paired with gold cases, this time around Hublot flips the script introducing a full Magic Gold model and a black ceramic model with a Magic Gold bezel.With the aesthetics being the only switch-up, as a refresher, the Square Bang Unico is 42mm in diameter and 12mm thick – making it a slimmer offering than the Big Bang. In its slim down, however, it does have half the water resistance with a depth rating of 50 metres.Inside, like the Big Bang, you have the MHUB1280 Unico flyback column-wheel chronograph calibre with 72 hours of power reserve. And, as you would expect, the dials of these two new models continue the open trend, in a largely darkened colour, with the hands and indices executed in a case-matching Magic Gold.BrandHublotModelSquare Bang UnicoCase Dimensions42mm (W) x 12mm (T)Case MaterialBlack ceramic and Magic GoldMagic GoldWater Resistance50 metresCrystal(s)Sapphire crystal front and backDialOpenworked with Magic Gold accentsBraceletStructured black rubber, deployant claspMovementHUB1280, in-house, column wheel chronographPower Reserve72 hoursFunctionsHours, minutes, small seconds, date, flyback chronographAvailabilityLimited to 100 piecesPriceUS$31,800 (Ceramic Magic Gold)US$42,700 (Full Magic Gold)
18.04.24