A new watch-shape took form at Watches & Wonders and shook up the world of haute horlogerie as Hublot unveiled 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. Other stunning interpretations are the Big Bang Integral Ceramic in four colours, Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire, and the Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet
Square Bang Unico
Hublot showcases its in-house Unico movement, the beating heart of most of its designs. The chronograph has a column wheel visible at 6 o’clock, while its bicompax display dispenses with a dial. The modular construction of the case features a central housing dressed with an upper and lower plate. The sandwich construction of its dial gives it different levels of depth and a highly architectural feel. As with the Big Bang, the Square Bang’s dial uses sapphire to exhibit the Unico movement, and also reuses the same hands and the six (functional) screws on the bezel, similarly placed. On either side, the ‘ears’ from the Big Bang’s case, balance the design while protecting the case. For the strap, in addition to the One Click system of the Big Bang and its textured rubber, two screws are fixed in the middle as an attachment. The timepiece – water resistant to 100 metres – is available in five options including ‘All Black’. A new strap decorated with ‘chocolate squares’ further emphasises the Square Bang’s identity.
Big Bang Integral Ceramic
With its Hublot ceramic, the Big Bang Integral is in its element, bringing four new monochrome shades to the collection. Each available in a limited edition of 250 pieces, there are four colourways that represent the elements of water, earth, and wood, and take 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. A 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 houses the HUB1280 calibre featuring a slimmer design, new architecture, easier assembly and enhanced legibility and functionality. It also boasts an integrated bracelet featuring three 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.
Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire
In this timepiece, Hublot combines a traditional complication (the tourbillon) with a disruptive material (sapphire) in a totally exclusive colour. The case and movement blend together seamlessly while the translucent bezel and case in finely polished purple sapphire are complemented by the iconic six H-shaped titanium screws. Hublot now offers a self-winding tourbillon (the norm being manual tourbillons), with a 72-hour power reserve. Its winding system uses ceramic ball bearings. To achieve this, it uses a micro-rotor perfectly inserted into the heart of the calibre, thus giving a clear view of the whole movement. Placed at 12 o’clock, this micro-rotor also provides an aesthetic balance to the similarly proportioned tourbillon at 6 o’clock. The tourbillon carriage at 6 o’clock, which turns on itself in one minute, is remarkable for its refined geometry. The visibility of the open dial is enhanced by the luminescent-coated hands and hour markers. The transparent purple rubber strap with lined relief – featuring the patented One Click express interchangeability system and titanium folding clasp – completes the avant-garde style of this limited edition of 50 pieces.
Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet
Hublot presents four versions of the Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet fitted with a new integrated metallic bracelet. This is a challenging task as it has to be ensured 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 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. Housed in a 40 mm polished-titanium case is a HUB1100 movement, a self-winding calibre with a 42-hour power reserve. The dial – with the angular facets unique to Orlinski – comes in a choice of black or white ceramic. A partially pave-set version 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.
