After making a big impression at last year’s Watches and Wonders with the magnificent Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Full Sapphire, Hublot made sure to continue the momentum for its showing at the 2022 event, presenting four main novelties that showcased its innovative watchmaking expertise to the fullest.
It was an introduction of many firsts for the Swiss luxury brand, from a bold new step into the world of square watches to the invention of a novel shade of translucent purple sapphire never-before-seen in the watchmaking world. In true ‘Hublot Loves Art’ spirit, the brand unveiled an elegant sculpture-inspired bracelet in collaboration with Richard Orlinski. Elsewhere, the Big Bang Integral Ceramic saw fresh new colours that took us on a whirlwind tour around the world.
Read on for all the Hublot novelty reveals that blew us away at Watches and Wonders 2022.
Big Bang Square Unico
Inspired by Hublot’s much-loved Big Bang, the Square Bang Unico represents the Maison’s first entry into the square watch genre. The launch of the Square Bang marks a new pillar within the brand called The Shaped Collection, which proudly stands alongside the Spirit of Big Bang. To tackle this unconventional shape, Hublot’s best minds began at the core: the movement. The watch’s round HUB1280 Unico Manufacture movement is placed in a way that’s visually harmonious with the square case, an impressive achievement that can be seen through its sapphire, sandwich-construction dial. A new textured pattern on the strap was created specially for the Square Bang, featuring four rows of raised ‘chocolate squares’ that recall the square bezel on its case. The Square Bang utilises the same materials as its Big Bang relative, such as titanium, ceramic and King Gold, in addition to the coveted ‘All Black’ finish. W hublot.com
Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire
Just when we think nothing could top the Orange Sapphire Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic, the Maison delivers an exclusive new version of synthetic sapphire in translucent purple – an unprecedented colour in the field of watchmaking. A distinct composition of aluminium oxyde and chrome, this powerful, expressive purple hue is the result of tireless R&D in search of a shade that’s simultaneously translucent and perfectly in sync with the mass of a highly-complex case.
Within the finely polished purple sapphire bezel and case sits the watch’s self-winding tourbillon with a power reserve of three full days. The winding system utilises ceramic ball bearings, which is achieved through a micro-rotor inserted into the heart of the calibre. This micro-rotor is uniquely situated at the 12 o’clock, offering an ideal aesthetic balance with the tourbillon at 6 o’clock. Accentuating the open dial are the hands and hour markers in luminescent coating. Meanwhile, a transparent purple rubber strap with lined relief completes the novel design of the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire. W hublot.com
Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet
Hublot and contemporary French artist Richard Orlinski mark a new phase in their five-year partnership with the new Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet, a series of timepieces featuring a new metallic bracelet that takes after the contours of Orlinski’s famous sculptures. Like the bestselling artist’s work, the integrated bracelet’s chamfered edges bring a play of light that reflects off its polished facets. Composed of 83 parts, the titanium bracelet also boasts H-shaped links reminiscent of the Hublot logo. The range and depth of technical mastery possessed by Hublot’s engineers are put on full display with this watch, on which bevelled surfaces radically define the case, bevel, crown and bracelet in exquisite unity. A HUB1100 self-winding calibre is housed within the watch’s polished titanium case, boasting a power reserve of 42 hours. W hublot.com
Big Bang Integral Ceramic
Never one to shy away from pushing the boundaries of watchmaking and design, Hublot first launched the Big Bang with an integrated ceramic bracelet in 2020, which impressed with its strong aesthetic, clearly defined lines, and light, durable material. With this latest release of Big Bang Integral Ceramic models, four new monochrome shades are introduced into the collection, representing natural elements of water, earth and wood.
Drawing from vivid colours of locales around the globe, the watches come in an indigo blue inspired by the city of Jodhpur, a sky blue reminiscent of the South Seas, a sand beige evoking the beaches of the Caribbean, and a jungle green characteristic of tropical forests. Powered by the HUB1280 calibre, the new Big Bang Integral Ceramic boasts a slimmer design, new architecture, easier assembly, improved legibility, and enhanced functionality, all in a 42-mm case. On the integrated bracelet, bevelled and chamfered links with a polished and satin-finished surface complement and intensify the colours’ eye-catching effect. W hublot.com
Source: Hublot