Fergus Nash
This is the fourth release of the Hublot Big Bang ZermattHublot haven’t used steel in a Hublot Big Bang Zermatt since 2018The Matterhorn is displayed in the running seconds subdialBetween the Hublot-Express cable car, the Hublot-sponsored mountain restaurant of Chez Vrony, and the luscious wooden boutique in the centre of the town, you could be forgiven for thinking that Zermatt is basically a Hublot company town. In reality, it's one of the world's most breathtaking locations whether you're a skiing fanatic or not, and it carries a proud Swiss identity in much the same way that Hublot does. This Hublot Big Bang Zermatt is the fourth time that Hublot have decided to honour the town with a set of special-edition watches, mixing the humility of a stainless-steel case with all of Hublot's luxurious and sporty pizzazz.With a population of less than 6,000 people and over 2,000,000 tourists visiting each year, you can imagine how busy the town of Zermatt gets when it's squished up against those mountains. The main attraction is the great Matterhorn a mountain which reaches 4,478m into the sky. This mountain on the border of Switzerland and Italy is only the sixth tallest in the Alps and barely registers compared to some of the behemoths in Tibet and Nepal, but its iconic peak is nearly a perfect pyramid. This makes it the ideal location for ski resorts, decadent mountain-view restaurants, and luxury shopping options.The key trait of the Hublot Big Bang Zermatt is the honorary depiction of the Matterhorn where the running seconds subdial is located, ensuring that the hand spins enough to not interrupt your view. The silvery sheen of the grey sunburst dial is also intentionally reminiscent of schist a metamorphic rock which makes up a large amount of the Matterhorn. The last of the easter eggs is the use of titanium screws in the steel case, a nod to mountaineers who use titanium tools for their lightweight properties.Other than the above traits, the Hublot Big Bang Zermatt is available in differing masculine and feminine versions. The larger reference reaches 44mm in diameter thanks to the outstretched ears of the Big Bang case, but considering the automatic chronograph movement inside and 100m of water resistance, a 14.6mm thickness is more than reasonable. The smaller version is also the flashier option, with a diamond-set bezel and diamond hour markers giving an icy bling to the already chilly mountain view. Its 41mm diameter and 12.75mm thickness makes it much friendlier to smaller wrists, and doesn't sacrifice any of the specifications from the other reference. They both use ETA-based chronograph movements with 42 hours of power reserve and a 28,800vph beat rate.The Hublot Big Bang Zermatt pricing and availability:The new Hublot Big Bang Zermatt watches will be available from Hublot boutiques. Price: CHF14,300 (44mm) / CHF18,100 (41mm)BrandHublotModelBig Bang ZermattCase Dimensions44mm x 14.6mm x 50.5mm / 41mm x 12.75mm x 47mmCase MaterialStainless steelWater Resistance100mCrystal(s)SapphireDialGreyLug Width23mm / 20mmStrapGrey or white nubuck leatherMovementHUB4100 / HUB4300Power Reserve42 hoursAvailabilityAvailable nowPriceCHF14,300 (44mm) / CHF18,100 (41mm)
01.02.23