Category: Hublot Watch

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Hublot Big Bang Unico King Gold Rainbow

One of our shared goals here is to help bring watch enthusiasts closer to a diverse range of watches. Why? Simply because I am yet to meet a fellow watch-lover who’d be lessened by a broader, more vibrant appreciation of timepieces. Forming that bond through a detailed and honest analysis is sometimes an easy thing to do; and other times, it’s nigh-on impossible. From a quick glance at theHublot Big Bang Unico Rainbow King Gold, I trust you can tell which end of the spectrum we are experiencing today.
First things first. If you dislike or deeply disapprove of bejeweled watches, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Rainbow King Gold will not change your mind — in truth, chances are that it will just fuel your displeasure in them. Strangely, both Ariel and I have a very open-minded approach when it comes to bedazzled watches, so when discussing such a timepiece, we need not convince ourselves about its raison d’être. The Unico Rainbow King Gold is a tough one to crack even for us, and I’ll share why in a moment.
Rainbow-themed ultra-high-end watches are all the rage these days. Just look at that neat image assembled by Bloomberg to get a vague idea of where things stand these days. Rolex has been making the Rolex Daytona Rainbow for ages, but it was not until 2018’s Rainbow Daytona, and its immediately tripled resale value, that really urged brands to take note — and develop an appetite for this long-ignored market segment. Notably, rainbows also make for one of the safest ways of making an eye-catching and ultra-luxurious watch — as was discovered by Rolex back then and is being rediscovered by others, today.
In typical Hublot fashion, though, the Nyon-based manufacture went all out on the rainbow theme and applied it to the bezel, the flange ring (!), and the indices, as well as the entire top section of the lug structure. What I think about truly outlandish, jewelry-style luxury watches I have shared in this hands-on with the infamous Richard Mille Bonbon collection — if you are here, reading this for whatever reason, I suggest you take a look at that train of thought, as well.
A core component of Hublot Big Bang Unico Rainbow King Gold is the fusion of materials. As recently as just a few months ago, I was checking the specs of an Hublot model (don’t recall which one) and I was still surprised by the inclusion of a random modern material in some obscure spot on the exterior. They have made 18k-gold scratch resistant (I tested it here), made all kinds of crazy translucent cases, paired rubber straps with luxurious 18k gold cases (the norm today, definitely not the norm when they begun), and the list of Hublot’s more or less logical combinations of materials just goes on and on. This one though? It’s a gold watch with some colorful stones in it. This definitely counts as a “fusion of materials” for conservative brands like Rolex, surely, but a walk in the park by Hublot standards.
I am a fan of a lot that Hublot has done under the leadership of Jean-Claude Biver — with their marketing and ultra-high-end exercises, as well as some of the relatively more attainable models. The Hublot that I like, however, wants to be, looks to be, and is made to be a Hublot, not something else. For this reason, I don’t quite like the whiff of “me-too” that lingers around this baguette-rainbow madness or the Spirit of Big Bang, for that matter.

That’s my only gripe with this new piece; but that does not answer what we should make of the Hublot Big Bang Unico Rainbow King Gold Watch, so here’s why I like it — and why I propose this watch as something that should be celebrated.
As I slide this weird Big Bang around my wrist with its color-transitioned, purple-green-blue-red strap, the gazillions of facets on the gazillions of colorful stones create a laughable lightshow even under the dullest, normally terribly unflattering spotlights in the ceiling. It is so ridiculously over-the-top that there is no way anyone in their right mind would ever want to make a case for this as a serious piece of watchmaking.
It’s a serious watch that put on a masquerade — like a serious actor that puts on a clown’s make-up and clothes to cheer people up. The Hublot Big Bang Unico Rainbow King Gold Watch is a joke, it’s a laugh. It’s as though the watch (and with it, all of Hublot) were looking at you with its curious Swiss face, asking, “Do you want colors? How about lots of colors?” BANG! “We hope you’re happy now!” I look at this watch and this is what I can hear in my head — I’ll seek assistance, don’t worry — but not with a negative or aggressive tone, but rather an over-the-top-playful tone.
I mean, placing brilliant-cut stones next to baguette-cut stones is a real challenge to pull off right. It’s like wearing polka dots with stripes. It can be done, but it’s very, very hard, and there’s a very, very high chance that you’ll look ridiculous when you try to mimic those who can do it. Although the photos exaggerate the effect when compared to how this watch appeared to my eyes in reality, even when holding it in one’s hand, there is a strong and immediately apparent dissonance between the sizing and overall effect of these two stones.
Hublot has a small, but capable gem-setting department in its manufacture near Geneva, and they have done some truly impressive things before. On this occasion, I have some issues with their work, but said reservations are just of a stylistic kind, not qualitative. Just so you know the level of complexity they can handle, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Rainbow King Gold features 176 colored stones on its case, 48 on its bezel, and 212 on its dial. Altogether, there are 436 stones, rubies, pink sapphires, amethysts, blue sapphires, blue topazes, tsavorites, yellow sapphires and orange sapphires, and that’s Jacob & Co. territory.

All those stones make for a lot of eye candy also — and also a lot of ways for things to go wrong. The bezel, with its baguette-cut sapphires, looks proportionate to the case and the watch as a whole, and that’s great. The lugs and the dial components, however, look exceedingly weird, as though these small stones originally belonged to a Michael Kors fashion watch, not a six-figure-priced piece — even though the quality of the settings and the cuts do, of course, belong to the luxury segment. All that noted, criticizing this watch for the disproportionate stones and resulting overall look is like a makeup artist walking up to a clown and criticizing the nuances of his makeup. It’s clearly missing the point, and that’s something I don’t want to do. So, here’s what I will say in closing, instead.
Would I wear the Hublot Big Bang Unico Rainbow King Gold Watch? Hell yeah, I would. It’s a gold watch with tons of baguette-cut sapphires (they are my weakness, my kryptonite) and brilliant-cut colorful stones on them. I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t a sucker for these things. If given the choice, would I take this over a base Lange 1? No. Have I lost my mind? Therefore, I think no, I haven’t. But if I could wear this for weeks or months, I totally would, because I know this unafraid, likeable, laughable watch would cheer me up. And I think it would cheer most of my fellow watch-lovers up, too. Even though we will never have a chance to prove this, I very much believe that, if given the chance to wear this exact watch for a week or so, nine out of 10 watch enthusiasts would grow really rather fond of it. They, too, would still take the Lange 1 — but they wouldn’t be as repulsed by this rainbow-themed watch, as they may be now.

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Hublot Classic Fusion Original

With the broad similarities between the car community and the watch community, it’s common enough practice among enthusiasts to liken certain watch brands to automakers. Grand Seiko is often compared to Lexus and TAG Heuer is commonly mapped to longtime brand partner Porsche, but perhaps the most fitting pairing of all is this — Hublot is the Lamborghini of watchmaking. While there may be newer, equally exotic brands now occupying similar niches, both Hublot and Lamborghini carry a spirit of defiance and willful audacity that helped to reshape their respective industries. In addition, like Lamborghini, Hublot rarely ever draws upon its back catalog for inspiration, until recently at least. As part of its LVMH Watch Week 2023 novelties, Hublot has returned in earnest to the design that started it all for the brand in 1980 with a striking new series in a trio of sizes and three case material options. While the combination of a sharp integrated case, (optional) precious materials, minimalist dial design, and a black rubber strap may not be as revolutionary as it was with the debut of the Classic Original over 40 years ago, the new Hublot Classic Fusion Original line is a strikingly handsome and commendably respectful tribute to the ur-Hublot design with enough available options to satisfy a wide variety of tastes.
Available in 33mm-wide, 38mm-wide, and 42mm-wide variants, the case design of the Hublot Classic Fusion Original finds a middle ground between fully replicating the original 1980 model and showcasing its modern case geometry. There’s plenty of visual similarity to the rest of the modern Classic Fusion family in elements like the angular lugs (far broader than the delicate tapering design of the ‘80s model), the organically rounded polished case sides, the black case side flanges at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock, and the distinctive set of six H-pattern screws ringing the broad chamfered bezel as opposed to the original’s 12-screw layout. Despite the visual tweaks, it’s still an attractively simple counterpoint to the spectacle of Hublot’s other lines. With available models in titanium, Hublot’s proprietary Black Magic ceramic, and 18K yellow gold, this comparatively restrained design has a chance to show off an array of different personalities. The 38mm-wide model is the closest in spirit to the ‘80s original in photos, particularly in yellow gold, but each size and case material presents a subtly different personality in photos. The 33mm-wide variants offer a decidedly more reduced, feminine take on the overall form, while the broader proportions of the 42mm-wide models abandon some of the timelessness of the original in favor of a more deliberately modern feel. Likewise, the yellow gold models across all sizes come closest to capturing the minimal-yet-opulent ethos of the 1980 original, while the Black Magic ceramic option gives the design a more futuristic cast, and the titanium version provides a contemporary, wearable middle ground. Despite Hublot’s sporty connotations, however, each model in the Hublot Classic Fusion Original series offers a disappointing 50 meters of water resistance. Unfortunately, Hublot was unable to provide images or details regarding the Classic Fusion Original’s caseback before press time.
Like the ‘80s model that inspired the design, each model in the Hublot Classic Fusion Original series offers a truly minimal black dial layout. Other than a dial-matching date window at 3 o’clock and a 12 o’clock applied Hublot emblem, there are no indices, scales, or text (outside of minuscule printed “Swiss Made” text at 6 o’clock) to mar the glossy piano black dial surfaces here. This leaves only the broad-faceted baton handset for timekeeping duties, and it’s where the tweaks to the original format cause one potential issue with functionality. Although the first Hublot design had a similarly featureless black dial, the 12 screws on the bezel could be used as an ersatz hours scale for improved legibility. By contrast, the six H-pattern screws atop the Classic Fusion Original’s bezel are substantially more difficult to orient quickly in images. Potential legibility issues aside, this starkly restrained look remains an effective visual statement for Hublot over 40 years after its debut.
For the 38mm and 42mm Classic Fusion Original models, Hublot turns to the Sellita SW300-1-based HUB1110 automatic movement. This reliable platform powers a wide range of Hublot’s less exotic models. While enthusiasts may complain about the HUB1110’s humble underpinnings and relatively low 42-hour power reserve at a 28,800 bph beat rate, it is dependable and easily serviced. For the 33mm-wide models, Hublot instead turns to an unspecified quartz movement with a minimum power reserve of three years. To complete the vintage-inspired design, Hublot pairs each model in the series with a smooth, unadorned black rubber strap.
Although it may stand out amid the brand’s Lamborghini-esque relentless tendency towards forward-thinking stylistic spectacle, the new Hublot Classic Fusion Original series offers a sharp and charismatic tribute to the Hublot model that started it all with a broad range of available configurations. The Hublot Classic Fusion Original line is available now through authorized dealers.

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Hublot Spirit of Big Bang 5-Day Power Reserve

LVMH Watch Week is upon us, and Hublot is once again making big waves with their bold designs and as a leader in the use of innovative materials. And this year’s releases are more eye-catching than ever, as you’ll see in a moment.
We start things off with a big bang, quite literally, with the retina-searing visual intensity that is the hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM. Hublot are pioneers in the use of man-made sapphire within the watch industry, but this new model is something else entirely. The material is notoriously difficult to colour, each shade requiring its own elemental cocktail to achieve that perfect hue, so when Hublot decided to tackle this particular fluorescent yellow, they were working with a blank sheet of paper. After three years of research, the solution turned out to be a blend dubbed “SAXEM”, which stands for Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Mineral, used in the aerospace field. The result is a previously unseen tone of acid yellow that seems to glow from within, and offers greater resistance, polish and brilliance than previous man-made sapphires. The fully polished 44mm case and bezel has a vivid presence unlike anything the brand has presented before, offering a striking contrast to the polished, micro-blasted titanium bezel screws and crown. Not merely a pretty face, the Yellow Neon SAXEM is also a showcase for Hublot’s movement prowess, utilising the in-house HUB6035 automatic calibre. This skeletonised reference boasts a tourbillon at 6 o’clock that seems to float in midair, due to the sapphire bridges that frame these visual fireworks. The movement also features a micro-rotor, and manages a 72-hour power reserve to boot. Completing the package, the Yellow Neon SAXEM comes equipped with a matching textured yellow rubber strap (with a titanium deployant buckle) that utilises Hublot’s One Click system for toolless strap changes. Limited to 50 pieces worldwide, the price is CHF200,000.
The tonneau-cased Hublot Spirit Of Big Bang lineup receives two new limited-to-50 editions, one in black and blue carbon composite, the other in vivid purple sapphire. The Spirit Of Big Bang models have always had a commanding wrist presence, made even more so in these new cases.
Both feature striking skeletonised dials, and are powered by a hand-wound MHUB6020 tourbillon movement that offers a five-day power reserve. Keeping with the trademark Hublot look, they both come on complementing rubber straps with folding buckles. If you’ve got the wrist real estate to pull off their 42mm-wide case dimensions, you might as well go full Hublot, because if the Spirit Of Big Bang is on your shortlist, you’re obviously no wallflower, so why should your watch be?
The new hublot Classic Fusion Gold Crystal offers a sleek glammed-out twist on the black ceramic Classic Fusion Original, with the addition of genuine gold flakes set into the inky black dial and then lacquered. It’s an unusual treatment, but a striking one that showcases the reflections of the gold differently every time you look, depending on how the light hits the frond-like patterns. Black and gold is a timeless combination, and the 42mm brushed ceramic case and H-screwed bezel offer a stealthy contrast to the dial. An alligator and rubber strap completes a look that’s decadent and refined all at once.
If you’re still looking to dazzle, but in classic noir fashion, this is the perfect little black dress accessory. The limited-to-200 Hublot Big Bang One Click Sapphire Diamonds 39mm is textbook understated luxe, with a clear sapphire 39mm case, and stealthy black movement components peeking through the skeletonised dial and caseback. Some 42 round diamonds ring the bezel, and provide brilliant contrast with the black dial accents and rubber strap. And for all its luxurious trappings, the watch manages 100 metres of water resistance, so if you happen to feel a fountain-jumping moment coming on, by all means, give in.

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Hublot Big Bang Unico Cheval Blanc Randeli

In celebration of Cheval Blanc Randheli’s 9th Anniversary, Hublot honours its continued partnership with the iconic Maison by introducing limited editions of the Big Bang Unico and the Big Bang One Click watches, each in twenty-five numbered pieces.

The Big Bang Unico Cheval Blanc Randheli and the Big Bang One Click Cheval Blanc Randheli combine Hublot’s flair for style, sophistication, and mechanical innovation in stylish timepieces that are as vibrant and elegant as the idyllic Maldivian Maison it is named after.

Incorporating Cheval Blanc’s splendid shades of taupe and Randheli’s mesmerizing pop-yellow sun, the two timepieces capture every moment of the memorable stay featuring an alligator strap in white and warm grey and a polished yellow ceramic bezel. The dials in shades of taupe reflect the warm wooden decks and signature colour of the Maison. The Big Bang Unico dial is dressed in a matt taupe colour, while the Big Bang One click features a sunray taupe dial set with 11 brilliant white diamonds. The watches come with an additional white line rubber strap giving the wearer additional styling possibilities.

This collaboration follows the successful launch of the 2016 and 2017 Cheval Blanc Randheli Special Edition watches and is inspired by Hublot’s signature art of fusion merging two worlds: luxury watchmaking and exceptional hospitality. They are a perfect souvenir for the guests of the unspoiled Noonu Atoll at Cheval Blanc Randheli.

The hublot Big Bang Unico Cheval Blanc Randheli and the Hublot Big Bang One Click Cheval Blanc Randheli Special Editions are only available at the Maison Concept Store, in the dedicated Hublot area that reflects the identity of the most iconic Hublot boutiques around the world.

“Cheval Blanc Randheli and Hublot have a strong relationship that blends the creativity and technology from Hublot and the art de Recevoir of Cheval Blanc. This partnership encapsulates timeless memories and timeless stays,” said Olivier Lefebvre, CEO of Cheval Blanc.

“We are happy to be celebrating Cheval Blanc Randheli’s special occasion with special watch editions dedicated to this magical island resort. At Hublot, we are passionate about creating fusion between different worlds to develop singular products; the two watches are a fusion between art-of-living and craftsmanship,” said Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot.

“The previous two editions were very appreciated by the guests of Cheval Blanc Randheli and sold out quickly. We thrive to present them the two new timepieces and offer them a new experience with time that comes to complement their unforgettable stay at the emblematic resort,” said David Tedeschi, Hublot Regional Direction Latin America & Caribbean, Middle East & Africa.

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New Hublot Rainbow Big Bangs

Calling all lovers of minute details (surely there are a few on a watch website?), gather ’round and behold two very similar watches. To mark the occasion of LVMH Watch Week, Hublot just released these fraternal twin Big Bangs. The Hublot Big Bang Integrated Time Only King Gold Rainbow and the Hublot Big Bang Integrated King Gold Rainbow offer up bling for days in one of Hublot’s signature lines.
The watches share largely the same materials – fashioned from Hublot’s humbly named King Gold, a warm gold containing platinum, both brushed and polished, and featuring black elements on the main plate and dial, the basic canvas for the watches is largely similar. They are both fully paved in rainbow-colored gems, 174 for the Integrated watch and 768 on the bracelet, and 176 for the Time Only and 748 on the bracelet, set by Hublot’s master stone-setter (nice to know these Game Of Thrones-sounding jobs still exist).

The major differences are the complications and all the attending changes that go with them: diameter, movement, and thickness. The Time Only is a bit of a misnomer as there is a date window, but aside from that it keeps things relatively restrained on the internal bells and whistles. It runs on the in-house MHUB1710 movement, found in previous Time Only Big Bangs and based on a Zenith movement, which ticks away at 4Hz with about 50 hours of power reserve all visible through the sapphire crystal on the dial. It measures a demure (for Hublot) 40mm and comes in just under the 10mm thickness mark at 9.25mm.
The Hublot Integrated King Gold is a chronograph powered by the MHUB1280, another self-winding in-house movement, this time with chronograph flyback and column wheel. The integrated bracelet is relatively new to the Big Bang line, joining the signature rubber strap in 202o, and only available on the Big Bang in 40mm since 2022. The case is a standard but not gargantuan (again, by Hublot standards) 42mm and 13.45mm thick. It has 72 hours of power reserve and 100m water resistance, but why dive for treasure when it’s already on your wrist?
There’s something so charming about Hublot hearing cries across the watch world for smaller watches and more integrated bracelets – not to mention 2o22’s biggest design trend – and putting them all into a watch that’s so distinctly Hublot. Classic sport watch appeal and a size that is more “wrist-friendly?” You can have it, but you’ll have it the Hublot way.

Looking at these watches through the lens of “did it accomplish what it set out to accomplish?” these certainly look to be a big success. I’m not a master gem-setter (unfortunately!) but I think that finding enough gems of standard and cutting and arranging them just so on this bruiser of a watch is almost more impressive than a more “tasteful” application of diamonds on the dial or bezel of a smaller more delicate watch. The result is loud and attention-grabbing, as it was meant to be, so points for that, but when I think about the margin of error in crafting a bracelet with 768 gems on it I can’t help but be impressed.
The dial of the chronograph is very, very busy, but [9os sitcom voice] that’s Hublot! And I do think there’s an interesting tension between the rugged, dark openwork gears and the meticulous and whimsical dial that gives a little more heft and intention to the busy-ness.

And while Hublot is no stranger to the rainbow trend, both with gems and without, the combination of precious gold and integrated bracelet makes this go-around feel, dare I say, more grown up? It’s the thinking person’s big-ass Rainbow Hublot. And if you’re already on board with Hublot and all of the dramatic, daring, and denim watches that have come before, this Rainbow might be your pot of gold.

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MP 09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis Rainbow 3D Carbon

The MP 09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis Rainbow 3D Carbon trend certainly isn’t slowing down anytime soon. In fact, watchmakers are continuing to stretch their creativity when it comes to multi-hued timepieces. Case in point: Hublot is blazing a new technicolor trail with its newest piece of wrist candy.

The limited-edition MP-09 Tourbillon Bi-Axis, which was unveiled during the Hublot Loves Art event at Art Basel in Miami this week, pushes the envelope in terms of both aesthetics and production. Hublot started with a simple idea: reproduce the rainbow effect of colored gemstones using carbon and composites. It sounds straightforward, but the execution wasn’t so easy.
The watchmaker leveraged all its resources, from industrial machinery to the ingenuity of its research and development team, to establish a complex process that would reproduce the striking hues of diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds on the surface of the case. In short, Hublot found a way to recreate the brilliance of gemstones in a rather conventional material. This feat marks a world first in watchmaking: Never before has a watch displayed as many shades of colored composites.
“We have mastered Carbon. We have mastered traditional rainbow setting. But no one was yet to master 3-D carbon with the rainbow effect, quite simply because no one had thought about it,” Hublot’s CEO Ricardo Guadalupe said in a statement. “That is what makes Hublot different: we explore the unknown regions of haute horlogerie.”
The bold watch is undeniably Hublot from the inside out. The oversized 49 mm case is fully decked out in carbon and rainbow composites. So too is the bezel. The openworked dial, meanwhile, reveals the manually wound HUB9009.H1.RA.B caliber. A staple of the MP-09 collection since its inception, the movement offers a five-day power reserve. It’s also a sight to behold with the tourbillon complication clearly visible at six o’clock.

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Hublot “Big Bang Unico All Black Blue Camo”

Hublot has announced the latest 77 limited edition “Big Bang Unico All Black Blue Camo”. “Hublot Big Bang Unico All Black Blue Camoo” is based on the iconic “Big Bang Unico” design, with the concept of “All Black”, which is always popular in Hublot, blue with strength and elegance, bold and wild. It is a special Japan-only model with a cool beauty that combines the charms of each with a camouflage motif that gives an impression.

The Hublot Big Bang Unico All Black Blue Camo 44 mm black ceramic case is equipped with the self-winding movement “UNICO” developed and manufactured in-house. You can see the movement between the camouflage motifs on the dial, and it has a mysterious feeling that makes you want to look into it.

Automatic winding (cal.HUB1280). 26 stones. 28,800 vibrations / hour. Column wheel type flyback chronograph. Power reserve of about 72 hours. Black ceramic (diameter 44 mm, thickness 14.5 mm). Water resistant to 100m. 2,596,000 yen (tax included). Released in May 2022

The dial expresses one perfect camouflage motif by carefully overlapping the outlines of the camouflage motifs one by one. The camouflage print straps are drawn using Hublot’s first vulcanization technology in the watch industry in 2019, realized by individually cutting and combining camouflage motifs. The “Big Bang Unico All Black Blue Camo” is the only one that perfectly combines the complex beauty of mechanical watches with the refined strength of black and blue colors and the unique presence of camouflage motifs. The second timepiece

“Hublot Big Bang Unico All Black Blue Camo” is based on the iconic “Big Bang Unico” design, with the concept of “All Black”, which is always popular in Hublot, blue with strength and elegance, bold and wild. It is a special Japan-only model with a cool beauty that combines the charms of each with a camouflage motif that gives an impression.

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Hublot BIG BANG E FIFA WORLD CUP QATAR 2022™

Hublot was founded in 1980, which makes it, at the age of 40, approximately 100 years younger than its long-established counterparts. Its newbie status, far from being a drawback, has advantages. Hublot stands ripe for adventure, uniquely unbound by traditions that might constrain it to an identity forged in a bygone era. It is free to explore new ideas, designs, materials and associations. One month it’s sponsoring a polo match in aristocratic, old-money Gstaad, and the next, it’s joining the crush in the stands at the FIFA World Cup. The latter is coming up next month in Qatar and Hublot isn’t missing out on the moment. As a sponsor of the event, the company is introducing the Hublot Big Bang e FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 smartwatch.
“Being a young brand allows us to be more diverse and maybe not as focused on one specific partnership,” Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe tells Robb Report. “The idea is to create a world of Hublot, in which we meet with different customers, some of whom are interested in soccer, some in other sports, or who like tattoos.” (Hublot has worked on watch collaborations with tattoo artist Maxime Büchi). “When it comes to watches, we have the liberty to create incredible designs that maybe a traditional brand would not do it because it’s too particular,” he adds. “If you look at the tattoo watch, Sang Bleu, it’s incredible. Nobody would make a watch like this, but Hublot we can do it because our concept of mastering the art of fusion allows us to be disruptive.”

Hublot’s untraditional approach to watchmaking has seen it trailblaze certain trends in the industry. It was one of the first brands to popularise rubber straps in the 1990s. And few other brands use colour to the same extent as Hublot, which has developed its own proprietary selection of coloured ceramics and sapphires as case materials. It is also one of the early adopters of fully sapphire crystal cases.
Design-wise, it has collaborated with artists, architects and athletes to push the boundaries, making its aesthetic identity difficult to define in any way other than to describe it as unconventional. At the same time, its engineering and finishing techniques adhere to the principles of traditional high watchmaking.

But the brand’s attention to detail combined with its often loud and forward-thinking approach is an ethos that extends to its smartwatches. The Hublot Big Bang e FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is a Gen 3 connected watch with a new timeline function dedicated to soccer. Before the tournament starts, the Big Bang e FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 will be in countdown mode, keeping track of the days until the opening match on November 20 between Qatar and Ecuador. Then, with 15 minutes to go before each match, the watch will deliver team line-ups and player profiles. As each game kicks off, the watch will automatically enter “match mode” and activate a “timeline” feature created exclusively for this watch to track the game highlights.

A scale on the outer edge of the dial is split into five sections, indicating the first and second halves, the additional time allowed in each half and half-time. If a goal is scored, the watch shows a match event animation mentioning the player’s name, and a soccer symbol will appear at the appropriate minute mark on the scale. The same thing happens if there is a yellow card, a red card or a penalty. If a match goes beyond normal time, the watch display will automatically switch into extra time mode, and then into shootout mode in the event a match goes to penalties. Each penalty is recorded to indicate whether or not the attempt was successful. A final “match period animation” shows when the game is over, and the final score. The wearer can replay these events at any point during a game by scrolling around the dial using the watch’s crown.
But what about after the World Cup is over? It comes with all of the standard functions of a smartwatch including GPS and a heart-rate monitor, and it comes with a suite of preloaded apps to stay connected to track activities, health and more. And unlike smaller alternatives, the Big Bang e FIFA is oversized at 44 mm, so you can better see the screen, which may be a welcome design feature for some.

The case is made of micro-blasted and polished black ceramic and black titanium. The rubber strap comes in burgundy highlighted back black underneath—a colour inspired by the flag colours of the State of Qatar. But fans can also choose dial and strap designs in the colors of each of the 32 participating countries.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be held from late November to mid-December, making it the first tournament not to be held in May, June or July and to take place in the northern autumn; it will be played in a reduced timeframe of around 29 days. Hublot has been a sponsor since 2010 and will time all 64 games in this year’s FIFA World Cup, including the final in the Lusail Stadium in Doha on 18 December. The Hublot Big Bang e FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 is limited to 1,000 pieces and priced at US$270. Considering the cost of traveling to Qatar for the World Cup, if you’re already going you might as well invest a little further and come equipped with this game-day accessory.

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Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey

Although it’s best known among enthusiasts for its defiantly avant-garde designs and cutting-edge materials, Hublot also has a genuine commitment to the world of modern art. Over the years, the brand has collaborated with high-profile artists ranging from Richard Orlinski to Takashi Murakami, but few partnerships have been as lasting or as fruitful as its relationship with American artist Shepard Fairey. Best known for his bold “Obey” iconography and the world-famous “Hope” poster campaign used during Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, Fairey’s street art-infused style has been the basis for several distinctive Hublot references since 2018. For its latest collaborative design, Hublot brings an aggressive black-on-black look to Fairey’s recurring theme of the mandala. The new limited edition Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey is a sharp, unapologetically bold distillation of Fairey’s street art ethos, and one that should become a coveted piece among Shepard Fairey collectors.
At 45mm-wide and 13.4mm-thick, the matte-black ceramic case of the Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey cuts an imposing figure on the wrist, but it’s the finishing here that immediately catches the eye. Although the overall surface is bead-blasted, the bezel and main case body are crisscrossed with an ornate engraved pattern. This sweeping arabesque motif can feel almost chaotic at first glance, but a closer look reveals it to be a seamless continuation of the mandala pattern on the skeleton dial. This holistic pattern gives the design an impressively unified feel and makes a traditionally stealthy blacked-out design into a watch that commands attention on the wrist. The 12 o’clock side of the case body adds an extra layer of decoration, with an engraved ray pattern extending across the case sides and integrated lugs. Underneath this ornate engraving, however, this is the same Aerofusion Chronograph platform as the standard production model and should feel familiar to fans of the brand. Hublot fits this model with a sapphire display caseback, and rates the watch for a somewhat underwhelming 50 meters of water resistance.
The dial of the Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey offers an extremely ornate blacked-out pattern but remains solidly legible for a black-on-black skeleton design thanks to intelligent finishing decisions. The repeating floral mandala pattern radiates out from the dial center, with indices and subdial rings appearing to float over gaps in the dial thanks to a lower dial layer in sapphire. Although the main handset visually fades into the background at some angles, with even minor amounts of direct light, the polished surfaces make these faceted batons stand out starkly against the darker backdrop. This extends to the subdial hands as well, but the applied faceted indices are less effective in this regard. With this in mind, the Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey is as much about translating Fairey’s art into a wearable form as it is about creating a usable timepiece, and in this regard, the design succeeds brilliantly. The central stack of the handset is obscured by a rendition of Fairey’s famous “Obey” emblem printed onto the underside of the crystal, creating a seamless mandala design that runs from the center of the dial all the way down the case sides. Even the 6 o’clock date display is cleanly integrated into the pattern, with a stenciled skeleton date wheel that preserves the visual depth of the intricate layered mandala.
Hublot equips the Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey with the modular ETA-based HUB1155 automatic chronograph movement. While purists may decry the use of a non-manufacture movement at this level, the HUB1155 is a reliable, easy-to-maintain platform that offers a decent if unspectacular 42 hours of power reserve at a 28,800 bph beat rate. Hublot’s finishing on the HUB1155 is clean and contemporary, with predominantly brushed bridges and a dynamic signed skeleton rotor. To complete the package, Hublot pairs the watch with an integrated grooved strap in supple black rubber.
With an aggressive black-on-black colorway and an impressively ornate continuous mandala pattern, the limited edition Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey offers a stylishly punchy and aggressive translation of Fairey’s work to the wrist. Only 50 examples of the Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph All Black Shepard Fairey will be made, and the watch is available now exclusively through Hublot’s North American boutiques and the brand’s U.S. e-commerce platform.

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HUBLOT Summer Editions, Ibiza, Capri and St.Tropez Boutiques

To celebrate this summer season, Hublot has created three special edition timepieces dedicated to its Ibiza, Capri and St.Tropez boutiques.

These Mediterranean destinations are known for their beautiful beaches and vibrant culture. The new Hublot summer limited editions take inspiration from the blues of summertime.

Hublot St-Tropez Big Bang Unico St-Tropez Boutique
The turquoise blue seas and sky of this seaside citadel are reflected in a limited edition of 30 pieces which echo the colours of Tahiti and Pampelonne beach.
Set between the Place des Lices and the Port de St-Tropez since 2017, the Hublot boutique is just a short hop from the iconic ochre and sienna bell tower which overlooks the port and dominates the skyline. The silhouette is featured on the sapphire of the Big Bang Unico St-Tropez Boutique’s case back.
The UNICO V2 manufacture movement offers a power reserve of 72 hours. The calibre HUB1280 boasts a slimmer design, restyled architecture, easier assembly and improved visibility and functionality. The ceramic bezel, the lined rubber strap, the indices, numerals and hands are all turquoise blue, contrasting with the microblasted black ceramic case.

Hublot Ibiza Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Ceramic Blue Ibiza Boutique
With its pop-up boutique open throughout the summer, Hublot celebrates the bohemian festive spirit of Ibiza with a limited edition of 50 pieces in colours which echo the island’s white walls and the deep blue of the horizon from Cala Conta, the contrasting shades underneath the boats moored at Cala Saladeta and the seabed at Cala Xarraca.
To celebrate summer, and its Ibiza boutique, Hublot welcomes its favourite material – coloured ceramic – to a magnetic blue chronograph: the Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Ceramic Blue Ibiza Boutique. 45 mm in diameter, with a deep blue ceramic bezel and case, HUB1155 self-winding chronograph movement and a power reserve of 42 hours, this piece is awash with the island’s vibrant blues, from its deep seas to its night skies.
Its blue alligator strap is set off by white stitching and a white stripe, providing as striking a contrast to the titanium adorning the crown, pushers and H-shaped screws. On the back of the watch, the sapphire crystal features “Hublot Ibiza”.

Hublot Capri Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Ceramic Capri Boutique
For its Capri Boutique, Hublot has created a limited edition Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Ceramic. Limited to 50 pieces, this watch is inspired by the turquoise waters of Capri’s Grotta Azzurra and the contrast with the dark grey of the grotto.
The Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Ceramic Capri Boutique has a power reserve of 42 hours. 45 mm in diameter, and fitted with a turquoise blue lined rubber strap, this watch is water resistant to 50 metres.