Designed in collaboration with Depeche Mode, the new Spirit of Big Bang Depeche Mode pays tribute to the British band’s latest album and world tour, Memento Mori, with a skull motif embellished with an hourglass on the watch
Fourteen years have passed since Hublot and Depeche Mode announced their first collaboration, dedicated to raising public awareness and funds for several environmental and humanitarian causes. Since then, this partnership has been renewed with each of the British band’s subsequent tours and has raised over $2.3 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust and charity:water.
In March 2023, Depeche Mode announced its big comeback with the release of Memento Mori , its 15th studio album, along with a worldwide concert tour. Still in collaboration with the band, which has sold over 100 million albums, Hublot is helping to raise funds and awareness for Conservation Collective, a global charity that unites a network of regional philanthropic foundations working to protect, conserve, and restore natural environments.
Hublot and Depeche Mode have now released a new limited-edition watch of 100 pieces: The Spirit of Big Bang Depeche Mode. The Spirit of Big Bang’s signature tonneau shape is designed with Hublot’s iconic All Black aesthetic. Created in collaboration with Depeche Mode, the design combines the skull motif – an emblem seen in the video announcing the band’s return – with an hourglass to symbolise the passage of time. The centre of the dial is filled with small black ceramic spheres that symbolically flow back and forth as the wrist moves, conveying the concept of Memento Mori. This Latin phrase, meaning ‘remember you must die’, is intended to prompt reflection on the transience of life. Alongside the dial, the initials DM, the British band’s logo, appear at 6 o’clock. The indices take the form of pyramid-shaped studs, a motif echoed on the black ceramic bezel.
Measuring 42 mm, the barrel-shaped case is made of sand-blasted and polished black ceramic. It houses a self-winding HUB1710_SD calibre movement with a 50-hour power reserve. Each timepiece comes with two straps, easily interchangeable with the patented One Click system. The first is made from recycled materials and Velcro, in line with Conservation Collective’s plastic pollution initiatives. The second, in black rubber, closes with a black titanium folding clasp. It includes the pyramid-shaped studs already featured on the bezel and dial, creating an exceptionally ‘rock’ vibe.
Each of the watches will come in a special box containing a wonderful surprise: a 10” vinyl single of Depeche Mode’s Wagging Tongue, only available as part of this package, and produced using green energy and recycled PVC.
