WATCH YOUR TIME |
FOCUS
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F O C U S
It has been 20 years since the Art of Fusion,
with its revolutionary combinations of
metals and materials, burst into view with
the launch of the Big Bang. The anniver-
sary is celebrated through, among other
things, the launch of five limited-edition
fusion watches that blend the past, pres-
ent, and future of the Big Bang.
The Art of Fusion didn’t start with the Big Bang though,
the idea was already there as part of Hublot before gain-
ing its name with that watch’s launch. In truth, the idea
was there in Hublot’s first watch in 1980, a gold dress
watch that was offered on a rubber strap, a revolution-
ary move for a watch brand at the time! 25 years later,
that original watch was the inspiration for the Big Bang
with its multi-layered case construction that had inserts,
one in the centre of the case extending the strap and the
other beneath the bezel, that positively invited design-
ers experiment with material combinations. The first
Big Bang, a muscled-up version of the original Hublot,
came in red gold and grey gold, with kevlar inserts, a
ceramic bezel, and H-shaped titanium screws. Rubber
had to play a part and made up the strap and as well as
the crown and chronograph pushers.
The Big Bang sparked a mightily impressive develop-
ment, including the creation of a watchmaking manufac-
ture and the production of in-house movements, starting
with the Unico launched in 2010, an automatic flyback
chronograph that stands out for its unique architecture,
which allows Hublot to display the double-clutch col-
umn-wheel on the dial side. This became a hallmark of
the Big Bang Unico, a generation that, in turn, featured
a more technical look than its predecessor.
Today, Hublot celebrates the 20th anniversary of the
Big Bang with a capsule collection of five limited-edi-
tion watches that fuse the aesthetic of the original mod-
els with the technicality of the Big Bang Unico mod-
els. Regarding this, Julien Tornare, Hublot’s CEO since
September 2024, stated: “This year, we are not only
reflecting on everything that Hublot has achieved with
the Big Bang, but also looking ahead to the future and the
possibilities it offers. I am immensely proud of what the
Big Bang 20th Anniversary capsule collection represents.”
From the original Big Bang, it takes mainly aesthetic
features: the tight lugs, grooved bezel, rectangular push-
ers and distinctive silhouette that make up a redesigned
43 mm diameter case. On the dial the carbon-fibre pat-
terned dial is now in relief but still features the iconic
Arabic numerals, riveted indexes and the rubber strap
with its lozenge motif.
From the Big Bang Unico, it inherits the technical ele-
ments: features like Super-LumiNova, the One Click strap
change mechanism integrated into the case and, most
importantly, the in-house chronograph movement in its
latest version. In 2018, the calibre 1280 succeeded the
1242, granted five patents, it benefits from a modernized
architecture, easier assembly and enhanced precision.
With a 30 mm diameter and 6.75 mm thickness, the cali-
bre can power smaller and thinner watches, suitable for
all wrist sizes and contemporary trends. This movement
resides in the Big Bang 20th Anniversary models, bring-
ing them the best of technical innovation.
Thus, the fusion between the past and present inte-
grates improvements and innovations that look to the
future. Julien Tornare also highlighted: “If the Big Bang is
certainly one of the first watch icons of the 21st century,
we are fully focused on what’s to come.” Naturally, the
Big Bang 20th Anniversary models also shine through
their choice of materials. While the Big Bang Titanium
Ceramic and King Gold Ceramic models further embrace
the fusion concept with bi-material cases, the other
three nod to particularly innovative past models. The
Big Bang All Black in black ceramic recalls the bold con-
cept of “invisible visibility” that Hublot pioneered in
2006. The Magic Gold recalls the special alloy debuted
by the brand in 2011, the first to resist scratches, and
the Red Ceramic pays homage to its pioneering work in
developing coloured ceramics, starting with red in 2018.
In parallel, Hublot celebrates the 20th anniversary
of the Big Bang with two prestigious watch cases: the
“Master of Sapphire,” limited to five pieces, containing
five Big Bang MECA-10 watches in translucent sapphire
in various colours, and the unique “Materials & High
Complications” box, featuring five models distinguished
both for their design and their movements. All showcase
the disruptive concepts, materials research and horo-
logical developments that the brand’s new CEO aims to
continue, even intensify, as he admits to having “always
had a special affection for the Maison.” ■ Éric Dumatin
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Big Bang, Hublot launches
a capsule of five models powered by its latest Unico 1280 calibre
— an automatic flyback chronograph with column wheel. These
43 mm watches have anniversary logos engraved on the crown and
“20 Years Hublot Big Bang” on the 22 ct. gold oscillating weights —
in King Gold or yellow gold, depending on the model.
1. HUBLOT Big Bang 20th Anniversary Full Magic Gold — Magic
Gold case and bezel, satin carbon-look dial, black-plated bridges
and plates, yellow gold 22 ct. rotor, black structured rubber strap.
Limited to 20 pieces.
2. HUBLOT Big Bang 20th Anniversary Titanium Ceramic —
Titanium case, black ceramic bezel, satin carbon-look dial, anthra-
cite ruthenium-plated bridges and plates, King Gold 22 ct. rotor,
black rubber strap. Limited to 20 pieces.
Generation
Fusion
JULIEN TORNARE | CEO HUBLOT