SQUARE BANG UNICO
Hublot unveils its own interpretation of the square watch, a totally new geometry for the watchmaker. Inspired by the Maison's iconic Big Bang, this Square Bang Unico adds a new pillar, ‘The Shaped Collection’ to sit alongside the Spirit of Big Bang.
Is there anything that has not been explored in watchmaking? This is the question that Hublot's R&D department asks itself every day. When you have created the most resistant materials, set up the craziest of partnerships and developed extraordinary complications, the answer is often very simply... In the shape. Hublot currently masters three: a round watch, a barrel-shaped watch, and the MPs, those ‘Master Pieces’ have that have broken free from all conventions.
Today, a fourth shape has been created: the square. Its geometry bewitched Hublot because of the challenges it sets. First, the movement. Since every calibre has the wheel as its basic component, it therefore needs a round movement. If you are to place a round movement harmoniously in a square case, this requires a very specific style. This is why most watchmakers hide their movement, to give the illusion of using a shaped movement or because they have failed to find a consistent aesthetic style.
Hublot decided to take a radically different direction: the watchmaker hides nothing of its own, in-house Unico movement, the pride of the Nyon watchmakers and the beating heart of most of its designs for over 10 years. The chronograph has a column wheel visible at 6 o’ clock, while its bicompax display dispenses with a dial, to reveal its secret inner workings.
The second challenge was the modular construction of the case, designed in line with Hublot's DNA, with a central housing dressed with an upper and lower plate to enable a myriad of combinations and transformations. But this time, it is square in shape, and therefore much more difficult to make water resistant - Hublot pulls off the challenge with a guaranteed water resistance to 100 metres. The size of the case is also an important factor to ensure this model is perfectly ergonomic, providing comfort on the wrist very similar to that of the 42 mm Big Bang. Its pedigree from the brand's icon can be seen in countless details.
Big Bang Integral Ceramic
A Big Bang Integral Ceramic in its element. Integral fusion: monobloc, monomaterial, monochrome. What makes this piece integral? Firstly, its monobloc architecture with the bracelet integrated into the case, secondly, it is monomaterial –made from ceramic– and thirdly, its 4 new monochrome colourways –blue indigo, sky blue, sand beige and jungle green.
Are you ready for the journey?
In 2020 – 15 years after its launch – the Big Bang was launched in a version with an integrated bracelet. An integrated architecture for integral fusion. A strong aesthetic for a timepiece with clearly defined lines, fully integrated in ceramic, with the exception of the composite lugs, pushers and crown overmoulded with rubber.
Thanks to its innovation, Hublot has pushed the boundaries of ceramic, by increasing the hardness and scratch resistance of this material and enhancing the intensity of its colour while retaining its lightness, making it a delight to wear thanks to its low thermal conductivity and its hypoallergenic quality.
With this Hublot ceramic, the Big Bang Integral is in its element, bringing 4 new monochrome shades to the collection. Each available in a limited edition of 250 pieces, there are 4 colourways which represent the elements of WATER, EARTH and WOOD. Taking you on a journey around the world. An indigo blue from the Majorelle Garden and the streets of Chefchaouen in Morocco, and the Blue City of Jodhpur in Rajasthan. An sky blue from the South Seas. A sand beige from the deserts, and from the beaches of the Caribbean. And a jungle green from the tropical forests.
All packed in a 42-mm case, ready to take you on a non-stop 72-hour journey tracked by the UNICO V2 manufacture movement. The piece is equipped with the HUB1280 calibre featuring a slimmer design, new architecture, easier assembly and enhanced legibility and functionality. It also boasts an integrated bracelet featuring 3 bevelled and chamfered links with polished and satin-finished surfaces. The unique design of the Big Bang Integral Ceramic is set off to stunning effect by these colours and finishes.
CLASSIC FUSION ORLINSKI BRACELET
After five years of collaboration, Hublot and Richard Orlinski are unveiling the missing link of their shared collection: a series of watches adorned with a new metallic bracelet using the facets of the French artist’s famous sculptures.
When Hublot unveiled the first watch sculpted by Richard Orlinski in Miami in December 2017, the public reaction was unanimous: this was the first ever Orlinski artwork to tell the time! Since the launch of the first model, the Swiss watchmaker and Richard Orlinski have given life to a collection of watches displaying the angular style typical of the French artist’s work.
Richard Orlinski is a member of the Hublot Loves Art family in the same way as Shepard Fairey, Maxime Plescia-Buchi, Marc Ferrero and Takashi Murakami, and he can pride himself on being the bestselling contemporary French artist in the world.
Hublot and Richard Orlinski are now beginning a new phase in their partnership by presenting four versions of the Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet fitted with a new integrated metallic bracelet. Every watchmaker knows that it is a tremendous challenge to design this type of bracelet. You must ensure that the bracelet is correctly integrated mechanically and aesthetically to the watch case and that it can comfortably adapt to every morphology. Hublot’s engineers have displayed all their technical expertise in making a watch whose corners, bevelled edges and facets define the character of the case, bevel, crown, and a metallic bracelet whose architecture is bevelled and faceted in titanium and composed of 83 parts.
Inspired by Richard Orlinski’s sculptures, its chamfered forms play with the reflections of its mirror-polished facets. The H-shaped links recall the Hublot logo.
This new bracelet attaches to the watch case, on which the facets extend. With a 40 mm diameter, it suits all wrists and all genders.
Its polished titanium case encloses a HUB1100 movement, a self-winding calibre with a power reserve of 42 hours. Its dial comes in a choice of black or white ceramic and displays the angular facets so unique to Richard Orlinski.
Like a jewelled piece of art, a partially pave set version of the Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet watch is also available, adorned by its new matching bracelet. Playing with shade and light, certain facets on the case, bezel and bracelet are adorned with diamonds, totalling a weight of 3.79 carats.