Hublot, the Swiss watchmaker known for its daring designs and innovative use of materials, has once again pushed the boundaries of horology. Founded in 1980,
Hublot quickly made a splash by defying convention. Its debut watch audaciously paired gold with a rubber strap, housed in a case reminiscent of a ship's porthole (which, fittingly, is "hublot" in French). This was the genesis of Hublot's "Art of Fusion" – a philosophy that blends tradition, innovation, and a diverse range of materials and skills. It's a signature that defines the brand to this day. This initial disruption was amplified significantly in 2005 with the arrival of the Big Bang. The Big Bang collection stands as a testament to Hublot's unparalleled expertise, incorporating cutting-edge materials, innovative complications, and, starting in 2012, the manufacture's own in-house movements.
The Big Bang is not just a collection; it's a portal into Hublot's vision of watchmaking's future. It encapsulates the furthest reaches of the brand's imaginative power. With it's bold aesthetics and inventive, playful mechanics, the Big Bang finds itself in a constant state of growth. The Big Bang is a perfect example of Hublot's motto of being "First, Unique, and Different". This approach has given rise to other collections, like the Classic Fusion, additional Big Bang lines (including the Spirit of Big Bang and Square Bang), and extraordinary, high-craftsmanship pieces. These watches utilize materials like Magic Gold, vibrantly colored ceramics, and sapphires, alongside in-house movements such as the Unico chronograph, MECA-10, and high complications (including tourbillons and minute repeaters).
Courtesy of Hublot
Now, in a feat of technical wizardry several years in the making, Hublot presents a genuine world-first: a multi-colored ceramic watch, christened the Big Bang Unico Magic Ceramic. This isn't just a surface treatment; it's a deep integration of color within the ceramic itself, an achievement that has long eluded the watch industry. This represents an accomplishment considered a "holy grail" of ceramic design. Far from being a mere layering of colors, creating multi-colored ceramic demands an innovative approach and a profound grasp of ceramics and color reproduction. While other watch brands have experimented with multi-colored ceramics, none have approached Hublot's success.
The challenge lies in the fact that each pigment used for coloration requires different temperatures during the baking and molding stages of the ceramic components. Achieving a homogenous and flawless result repeatedly requires finding the absolute perfect balance. This innovation, born from a pending patent process, debuts in the Big Bang Unico Magic Ceramic, a limited edition of just 20 pieces. It offers a tantalizing glimpse into the vast potential this breakthrough unlocks. Hublot's R&D and Materials & Metallurgy teams, whom Hublot has dubbed, "alchemists of time", achieved the impossible with their skill and innovation.
Courtesy of Hublot
As Director of R&D Mathias Buttet puts it, there is "immense pride in seeing our team bring to life a material that perfectly embodies Hublot’s soul: a subtle blend of science, alchemy, and playful boldness. After more than four years of research, we have mastered the art of combining vivid, patented colors—a true technical feat."
The appearance of the colored ceramic is truly unique. On the Big Bang Unico Magic Ceramic, the bezel begins with a base of dark grey ceramic. From this base, intense blue circles emerge, arranged in a pattern that feels both organic and almost random. The bezel could easily be compared to a contemporary abstract or pop art piece. The seamless integration of these circles within the ceramic is a testament to the ingenious, patent-pending process.
Courtesy of Hublot
The 42mm case of the Big Bang Unico Magic Ceramic is constructed from microblasted and polished black ceramic, providing a robust and modern foundation. The case features Hublot's "One-Click" system, allowing for easy strap changes. With a thickness of 14.50mm, the watch has a substantial presence on the wrist, yet remains comfortable thanks to the ergonomic design. The caseback is also crafted from microblasted and polished black ceramic, and features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, offering a view of the intricate movement within. The watch boasts a water resistance of 10 ATM (100 meters), making it suitable for everyday wear and even some water activities.
The bezel is undeniably the star of the show. It's crafted from polished bi-color black ceramic, with the aforementioned twilight blue dots creating a striking visual contrast. This multi-colored ceramic is not only visually arresting but also exceptionally durable and scratch-resistant, a hallmark of Hublot's ceramic expertise.
The dial of the Big Bang Unico Magic Ceramic is a study in understated complexity. The matte black finish provides a perfect backdrop for the applied hour markers and hands, which are coated with luminescent material for optimal legibility in low-light conditions. The chronograph sub-dials are subtly integrated, with the date window discreetly positioned at 3 o'clock.
Courtesy of Hublot
The movement powering this extraordinary watch is the HUB1280 UNICO Manufacture. This self-winding chronograph flyback movement is a testament to Hublot's in-house capabilities. The main plate and bridges are black-plated, complementing the overall aesthetic of the watch. The date calendar is displayed at 3 o'clock, neatly integrated into the chronograph subdial. The oscillating weight, responsible for winding the watch with the motion of the wearer's wrist, is crafted from circular satin-finished tungsten and is also black-plated. The movement beats at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), ensuring accurate timekeeping. With a power reserve of approximately 72 hours, the watch can be left unworn for several days without needing to be reset. The movement comprises 354 components and 43 jewels, showcasing the complexity and craftsmanship involved.
The flyback function of the chronograph allows the wearer to instantly restart the chronograph with a single push of a button, without needing to stop and reset it first. This is a particularly useful complication for timing successive events. The overall finishing of the movement is consistent with the watch's modern and technical aesthetic. The black-plated components and industrial design create a sense of depth and sophistication.
Completing the look is a full black lined rubber strap, a signature element of many Hublot watches. The strap is incredibly comfortable and durable, perfectly suited for an active lifestyle. The deployant buckle clasp is made from black ceramic and black-plated titanium, ensuring a secure and stylish closure.
Courtesy of Hublot
The Big Bang Unico Magic Ceramic, with it's groundbreaking multi-colored ceramic, represents a turning point in watchmaking. It's a bold statement piece that speaks to Hublot's constant pursuit of innovation. It merges high-tech materials, complex mechanics, and a visually striking design. The watch is not a subtle timepiece; it's designed to be noticed.
The Big Bang Unico Magic Ceramic is limited to only 20 pieces worldwide. The suggested retail price is $33,000 USD. This exclusivity and the groundbreaking technology involved place it firmly in the realm of high-end horology. It's available through authorized Hublot boutiques and select retailers. The watch is more likely to appeal to collectors who appreciate groundbreaking technology and are not afraid to make a statement.
Case: Microblasted and Polished Black Ceramic. 42mm Diameter, 14.50mm Thickness. "One-Click" System. Water Resistance 10 ATM / 100M. Microblasted and Polished Black Ceramic and Sapphire Crystal Caseback with Anti-reflective Treatment. Polished Bi-color Black Ceramic Bezel with twilight blue dots.
Movement: HUB1280 UNICO Manufacture Self-winding Chronograph Flyback Movement. Main Plate & Bridges: Black-plated. Date Calendar Display at 3 o'clock. Oscillating Weight: Black-plated Circular Satin-finished Tungsten. Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 A/h). Power Reserve: Approx. 72 Hours. 354 Components, 43 Jewels.
Dial: Matte black.
Strap: Full Black Lined Rubber Straps. Black Ceramic and Black-plated Titanium Deployant Buckle Clasp.
Price: 33,000 USD
Reference Number: 441.CIB.1171.RX
Notes: World's first multicolor ceramic watch. Limited edition of 20 pieces. Features a groundbreaking multi-colored ceramic bezel in dark grey ceramic with intense blue circles.