Hublot Big Bang Watches
Bold and brilliant, Hublot’s Big Bang is one of the most recognizable contemporary watches. The Big Bang is an exercise in daring watch design as well as a showcase of cutting-edge horological technology.
Hublot Big Bang Introduction: BaselWorld 2005
The Big Bang was introduced in 2005 at the BaselWorld exhibition in Switzerland by then-CEO Jean Claude Biver. The Big Bang was well received and even won the Best Design Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (the most prestigious watchmaking awards ceremony). Biver had laid the foundations for a watch that would take on many different styles in the following years. The Big Bang design is heavily influenced by the original Hublot watch. Introduced in 1980, this watch was characterized by its porthole bezel design with visible screws and rubber strap. The use of a rubber strap with a precious metal case is what inspired Hublot’s “Art of Fusion” motto.
Jean-Claude Biver
Biver’s success in the watchmaking industry brought him to Hublot in 2004, one year before the release of the Big Bang. He came to Hublot with an impressive background and an excellent reputation. He was responsible for reviving Blancpain and later selling the company to the Swatch Group (the world’s largest watch-brand conglomerate). And during his tenure at Omega, he made sure that James Bond wore an Omega watch.
The UNICO Movement
In 2013, Hublot introduced a version of the Big Bang that used the new UNICO chronograph movement. This movement had one unique architectural feature: Its column wheel was visible from the dial side of the watch. In a chronograph movement, the column wheel is an integral part that controls how the mechanism functions. It showcases the virtuosity of the brand, as it is particularly difficult to manufacture. Showcasing it on the dial side makes it easier to observe and admire.
Magic Gold
In 2015, for the 10th anniversary of the Big Bang, Hublot introduced a new alloy to be used in its cases called Magic Gold. The use of gold for watch cases has always been popular, but the material has been criticized for its susceptibility to scratches. Gold is a soft metal that requires extra care when wearing. Hublot wanted to reimagine how we think of gold and worked with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne to develop Magic Gold. Magic Gold is the first 18-karat gold alloy that is almost entirely impervious to scratches. Hublot claims that the only material that can scratch Magic Gold is diamond.
Integrated Bracelet
In 2020, Hublot joined the trend of integrated bracelet watches in a move that saw the iconic watch lose its famous rubber strap. The Hublot Big Bang Integral is available in three different materials: titanium, ceramic and gold. Each version features a bracelet that seamlessly integrates in the case of the watch, making for a sleek silhouette. Even with its integrated bracelet, the Hublot Big Bang Integral is still instantly recognizable as a Big Bang.
Skeletonized Dials and Movements
In a traditional watch, the dial is a solid disc that completely obscures the movement beneath. At the same time, the movement’s bridges and mainplate are usually solid pieces of metal that hide most of the gear train and escapement. Many Hublot Big Bangs use skeletonized dials and movements, bringing an extra degree of visibility to the inner workings of the watch. The Hublot Big Bang King Power is one example of this visually intriguing, skeletonized technique.
World Cup 2018
The world came together in 2018 to celebrate football at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Hublot has always focused on savvy marketing partnerships and enjoyed being the official timekeeper of the 2018 FIFA World Cup. For the special occasion, Hublot released the first smartwatch version of their iconic Big Bang watch, called the Big Bang Referee. Referees wore this special Big Bang on the field, and, using the newly developed goal line technology, the watch alerted them when a goal was scored. This innovative watch was released in a limited edition of 2018 pieces.
10 Days of Power Reserve
Hublot’s Big Bang Meca-10 sports an unusual feature inside its futuristic movement design: 10 days of power reserve. This means that when the watch is fully wound, it will run normally for 10 days before stopping. This is an unusually long power reserve for a wristwatch. It’s incredible that the engineering that makes this feasible is inside a mechanical movement that can fit on your wrist. A longer power reserve requires a larger barrel, which in turn requires more space in the movement. To accommodate this, the other parts in the movement need to be sized down. This is no easy task, especially for the gear train and escapement. Hublot pulled off this engineering marvel in an intriguing and futuristic way.
Hublot Big Bang Value and Collectability
Over the years, Hublot has released its iconic Big Bang watches in many different styles and finishes. Because of this, the resale market features a wide range of prices. In February 2021 a very nice Big Bang made from carbon fiber sold for $9,900. If carbon fiber isn’t your favorite, how about tantalum? A Big Bang Tantalum Reference 301.AI.460.RX sold for $6,950 in January 2021.