Hublot Big Bang

Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot first unveiled the Big Bang collection in 2005, and the series has since become synonymous with prestige and sophistication. What's more, the Big Bang has been decorated with numerous international awards and is now the brand's flagship model. Fans of complicated watch movements and high-grade materials flock to these timepieces crafted from carbon, Magic Gold, and King Gold, among others. Magic Gold is Hublot's proprietary gold and ceramic alloy, while King Gold is a blend of rose gold and platinum.

One reason for this watch's success is its skillful combination of contrasting elements. The watch's external design is quite imposing, emphasized by case sizes of up to 45 mm and a wide bezel. The bezel has edges on a 90-degree angle and is held in place by six decorative, H-shaped screws.

The Big Bang has more to offer than just a stunning exterior. The lineup includes models with in-house movements, a tourbillon, GMT function, minute repeater, and perpetual calendar. Some watches, including the Big Bang MP-11, boast a power reserve of a staggering 14 days. There are smaller case sizes available for more slender wrists.

In the last two years, there's been an upswing in the number of limited collector's editions, new colors, and material combinations in the Big Bang collection. For example, the titanium Tourbillon Samuel Ross plays with color via its vibrant orange accents, the Integrated Ceramic model is dressed in earth tones, and the Integral Tourbillon Rainbow boasts 484 baguette-cut gemstones weighing almost 36 carats. In terms of innovative material combinations, the Unico Ledger uses a gold and silver alloy known as electrum for its case, while Hublot blends pure gold with high-grade ceramic boron carbide for the Big Bang MP-11 Power Reserve 14 Days Magic Gold.

Hublot has a close relationship with the world of sports and, as the official timekeeper of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, unveiled the limited-edition Big Bang e FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 smartwatch to mark the occasion.

The hefty cases of these 45-mm chronographs are available in titanium, carbon, sapphire crystal, King Gold, and ceramic. Of course, the material used has a major influence on prices for Big Bang models. For example, the red Big Bang Unico 45 in sapphire demands 48,000 USD.

The titanium Unico 45 is much easier on the wallet at 16,000 USD. Listings on Chrono24 for the King Gold edition start around 29,500 USD. However, the Unico 45 with a sapphire case and diamonds will set you back over 67,000 USD. Entry-level models come with quartz movements and stainless steel cases. One example, the Big Bang Unico 38 Steel, changes hands for around 8,600 USD.

Thanks to its modular design, it's easy to supplement the Unico movement with additional complications such as a second time zone or perpetual calendar. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the series contains such a wide variety of timepieces, with the Unico 45 leading the charge.

GMT Function, In-House Caliber, and Tourbillon

The titanium Unico GMT is a relatively affordable Big Bang model. While it lacks a stopwatch function, this timepiece offers a second time zone and day-night display. You can tell the time in another time zone using the additional hour hand and titanium bezel with a 24-hour scale. The Hublot caliber HUB1251 ticks away inside this timepiece and provides it with its 72-hour power reserve. The final watch is water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft) and comes on a blue rubber strap. You can buy this model on Chrono24 for around 16,500 USD.

The carbon edition features the same technology and sells for roughly 18,500 USD. A never-worn Big Bang Unico GMT in King Gold costs a solid 30,500 USD.

Hublot reached the pinnacle of watchmaking with their HUB6016 caliber featuring a tourbillon. The delicate frame turns the balance wheel 360 degrees once every minute, thereby negating the effect of gravity on the oscillation system and resulting in a more accurate watch. The HUB6016's massive power reserve of around 115 hours is also very impressive, and a subdial at 9 o'clock serves as the power reserve indicator.

Of course, Hublot creates these timepieces using a variety of materials. Cases in gold, titanium, sapphire, or ceramic are paired with straps made of rubber or alligator leather. A version with a diamond-studded bezel joined the Tourbillon family in spring 2018. The titanium Big Bang Tourbillon costs around 66,500 USD. Models in ceramic, gold, or sapphire go for between 76,000 and 161,500 USD.

The power reserve is the most notable element of the Big Bang MECA-10 and Big Bang MP-11. The manual caliber HUB1201 powers the MECA-10 and can run for ten days straight when fully wound. The MP-11 boasts an even more impressive 14-day power reserve. This is thanks to the HUB9011 caliber with a row of seven barrels, which have since made the watches in Hublot's MP series famous. However, all this power comes at a price. A black carbon MP-11 costs about 50,000 USD on Chrono24, while sapphire models sell for around the 94,000 USD mark. In contrast, the MECA-10 – often spotted on the wrist of tennis star Novak Djokovic – seems like a bargain at prices starting around 17,500 USD.

Hublot's high-end craftsmanship using modern materials is evidenced by their pairing an in-house caliber with a 14-day power reserve with two exclusive cases: One is made of scratch-resistant Magic Gold, while the other is made of the transparent, synthetic blue sapphire created in 2021. Both models are limited to just 50 copies and are powered by the skeletonized, manual-winding in-house caliber HUB9011 with a power reserve indicator. In order to achieve the durability of the Big Bang MP-11 Power Reserve 14 Days Magic Gold, Hublot blends pure gold with high-grade ceramic boron carbide. However, if you're interested in this version, you'll need to be prepared to part with around 84,000 USD. The Big Bang MP-11 Power Reserve 14 Days Blue Sapphire crafted from blue, polished sapphire crystal requires a substantial investment of 115,000 USD on Chrono24.

If you'd prefer something a bit less imposing, you should take a look at the standard edition Big Bangs. These watches come in diameters spanning 33 to 44 mm, making them interesting women's watches and men's watches. It's not only size that differentiates these timepieces from their larger counterparts, they also have solid dials. Hublot uses colorful gems on the bezel and bright, flashy bands for added pizzazz. What's more, each size is also available with diamond embellishments for those wanting an extra level of luxury.

Hublot outfits the two larger versions with automatic chronograph calibers, namely the HUB4100 and HUB4300. Both have a 42-hour power reserve. Expect to spend between 11,500 and 13,500 USD on models with a steel or carbon case. Prices for models in gold or with diamond-studded bezels can quickly soar to 24,000 and 34,500 USD, respectively.

The 38 and 39-mm editions are both three-hand watches, the smaller of which features a quartz movement. The case of the 38-mm model comes in gold, steel, or ceramic and is adorned with diamonds. This timepiece goes for anywhere between 4,200 and 33,500 USD. The Big Bang 39 is also known as the "One Click," as Hublot equips it with a system that makes changing its band quick and easy. These watches feature diamonds or colorful sapphire crystals on their bezels and cases, and prices fall between 11,500 and 79,000 USD.

In 2021, Hublot introduced smaller versions of the Big Bang 39, the Big Bang One Click 33 mm. Thanks to interchangeable bands, watch enthusiasts looking for a more compact timepiece have a myriad of color combinations to choose from; Hublot even added another twelve in 2022. There is a huge range of Big Bang 33 models, all with the automatic HUB1120 movement and a 40-hour power reserve. The Big Bang One Click Steel Diamonds flaunts 36 diamonds weighing 0.76 carats on its bezel, and can be found on Chrono24 for around 11,000 USD. Expect to pay around 21,000 USD for the Big Bang One Click King Gold White Diamonds crafted from polished, 18-karat King Gold. The dial of the Big Bang One Click Steel Rainbow is adorned with 232 colorful gemstones, with a further 130 decorating the case. The King Gold bezel also glistens with 42 baguette-cut gems. Hublot's MSRP is 72,600 USD.

"No one was expecting it, so, of course, we did it," said Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe about the release of the Big Bang Integrated Time Only in 2022, which, for the first time, was dressed in a 40-mm case. This more compact Big Bang – which Hublot concurrently calls both "Integrated" and "Integral" – is available in 18-karat yellow gold, titanium, and "All Black" ceramic. In keeping with the Time Only name, the watch features a tidy, understated design. The titanium (15,800 USD) and yellow gold (44,000 USD) versions of the Big Bang Integrated Time Only will be staples in the collection, while the All-Black version (18,500 USD) in satin-brushed and polished ceramic is limited to just 250 pieces.

Hublot's seemingly constant flow of limited-edition watches has earned the company plenty of attention. The Big Bang collection also includes some of these exceptional pieces such as the Big Bang Sang Bleu designed by Swiss tattoo artist Maxime Büchi. Büchi is known for his geometric style, which he used for the Sang Bleu. Instead of hands, this timepiece tells the time using three skeletonized octagonal overlapping disks. The Sang Bleu is available in titanium, gold, steel, or ceramic. The case comes in two sizes – 39 or 45 mm – and with or without diamonds. Plan to spend between 15,500 and 36,500 USD on one of these watches.

2022 saw the release of the Big Bang Sang Bleu II. This 45-mm timepiece comes in black, gray, white, or blue and has a skeletonized dial. It is powered by the automatic HUB1240 UNICO in-house chronograph movement with a flyback function and column wheel. The power reserve is a healthy 72 hours. The Big Bang Sang Bleu II Black Magic is made of satin-brushed and polished black ceramic, brandishing an engraved design by Büchi. The model is listed on Chrono24 for around 28,500 USD. The Big Bang Sang Bleu II Titanium Blue Pavé pairs the elaborate geometric design with 172 diamonds, and changes hands for around 35,500 USD on the secondary market – significant savings from the list price of 46,200 USD. It's a similar story for the Big Bang Sang Bleu II King Gold Pavé: Hublot demands 69,400 USD for this timepiece, but you can buy it on Chrono24 for closer to 55,500 USD.

Special Editions for Depeche Mode

Synth-pop band Depeche Mode and Hublot have had a partnership for several years. In this time, there have been many special models made in the band's honor. Most are reworked versions of the Big Bang Unico with a rubber strap and a studded calf leather cuff. The Depeche Mode collection "The Singles" was released in 2018 and is strictly limited. Each of the 55 individual watches represents one of the group's 55 singles. The bands match the dial, which features the respective single's cover art. These timepieces are sold in a Rimowa suitcase with the corresponding 12-inch vinyl single and a Roland JP-08 synthesizer. Set aside around 20,500 USD for one of these pieces. If you want something a bit less exclusive, you can get the standard version of the Depeche Mode watch, which is limited to 250 pieces, for about 4,200 USD less.

Big Bang Unico Essential Grey: Online Exclusive

In June 2022, Hublot released the Big Bang Unico Essential Grey, but with a catch: The 200 copies produced could only be bought online. The 45-mm case is made of satin-finished titanium and, since this material is extremely lightweight, is very comfortable on the wrist. The Unico 2 movement inside the case has a 72-hour power reserve and had 1.3 mm shaved off its overall thickness. The timepiece comes with two bands: a rubber strap and a textile strap with a Velcro fastener. Hublot lists the Big Bang Unico Essential Grey for 20,900 USD; that is, if you're lucky enough to get one of the 200 copies. Listings for the unisex model pop up every now and again on Chrono24.

Hublot also has close ties with professional soccer. Fans of FC Bayern Munich, Juventus FC, SL Benfica, and FC Chelsea can buy special, club-specific timepieces for between 13,500 and 21,000 USD. The luxury watchmaker can proudly count famous soccer stars like Pelé, José Mourinho, Didier Deschamps, and Kylian Mbappé among their brand ambassadors. Funnily enough, José Mourinho is known to wear the Big Bang Unico Titanium, and not the King Power José Mourinho Special One the manufacturer dedicated to the world-class manager.

Hublot has been the official timekeeper and the official watch brand of the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League since 2015. What's more, Hublot releases limited-edition models for major events such as the World Cup and European Championship. To mark the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Hublot launched the Big Bang Referee, the first smartwatch in the company's history made especially for referees. The watch announces matches 15 minutes before kickoff, vibrates and provides updates on goals, the score, game time, yellow and red cards, the names of goalscorers, and substitutions. Only 2,018 copies of this timepiece were produced, and you can find it on Chrono24 for around 5,500 USD.

In 2022, Hublot presented the Big Bang Unico UEFA Champions League, an exclusive edition of the 42-mm Big Bang Unico limited to a run of 100 pieces. The model is made of glass-bead-blasted ceramic and is dressed in the familiar UEFA Champions League blue. The Champions League logo can be spotted on the subdial at 9 o'clock. The watch is paired with a blue rubber strap and costs around 19,500 USD.

For the fourth time running, Hublot is taking on the role of official timekeeper for the World Cup, this time in Qatar. In 2021, the luxury watchmaker unveiled a large clock in the capital city Doha, which counts down to the kickoff of the first game. "The discipline of mechanical watchmaking is a perfect fit. The best teams run like clockwork! Hublot loves football!" said CEO Ricardo Guadalupe. In mid-October, Hublot followed up with the highly anticipated special World Cup model: the Big Bang e FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The 44-mm timepiece is limited to 1,000 copies and lists for 5,800 USD. The case combines both glass-bead-blasted and polished black ceramic with black titanium, but the real novelty is the watch's immersive features. In addition to the game time, the smartwatch displays the names of goals scorers and the minute in which they scored, yellow and red cards, as well as stoppage time and penalty shootouts. Soccer fans can buy the watch with a dial and strap in the national colors of the 32 qualifying countries, although this will bump the price up by a further 630 USD.

The Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross is the result of Hublot's first collaboration with Samuel Ross on a real-life timepiece – up until this point, the British artist had been involved in creating several store concepts. According to the manufacturer, Ross deliberately chose the color orange, as it represents energy and optimism and contrasts perfectly with the gray patinated case and bezel. The watch houses the automatic Hublot HUB6035 caliber, which boasts a tourbillon. Only 50 copies of the Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross exist. The MSRP is 116,000 USD.

The Big Bang Unico Ferrari has been part of the Hublot catalog since 2012. The result of a collaboration with the legendary Italian sports car company, it has a sporty design with red or yellow numerals and matching stitching on the strap. Carbon and ceramic models dominate the series, though King Gold and Magic Gold versions are also available. The Unico Ferrari watch gets its power from the chronograph caliber 1241, which includes a flyback function. The ceramic edition changes hands for about 20,500 USD in mint condition on Chrono24, while used watches demand significantly less at around 13,000 USD. Depending on the material, prices for a Unico Ferrari are known to exceed 30,000 USD; the King Gold version demands roughly 36,500 USD.

In 2019, Hublot celebrated the Scuderia Ferrari racing team's 90th anniversary with three limited-edition Big Bang watches: one in carbon with a red dial, one in platinum with a yellow dial, and one in sapphire with a black dial. The cases of the Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary measure 45 mm in diameter and contain the in-house caliber HUB1241. This automatic movement features a flyback function and a 72-hour power reserve. Each model is limited to a run of 90 pieces, making them highly coveted collector's items.

Hublot listed this special Big Bang for 34,600 USD in carbon, 40,900 USD in platinum, and 69,000 USD in sapphire. These watches rarely appear on Chrono24, and when they do, they tend to sell quickly, so it's worth keeping a lookout and acting fast to nab one for yourself.

Hublot brand ambassador Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese Formula 1 driver, also stepped on the gas pedal in 2022. He celebrated the Chinese New Year with the Spirit of Big Bang Carbon Gold Tiger on his wrist. The racing driver also wears a Big Bang Unico Integrated Black Magic. Powered by the Unico 2 caliber, the watch has an impressive power reserve of 72 hours and a case made of polished and satin-finished ceramic that was reduced by 1.3 mm. The Spirit of Big Bang Carbon Gold Tiger costs around 48,500 USD on Chrono24, while the Big Bang Unico Integrated Black Magic sells for approximately 19,500 USD.

The colorful Broderie, Pop Art, and Tutti Frutti models were part of the Big Bang collection until 2017. The Broderie features embroidery on its dial, bezel, and strap. Matching sapphires also ornament most of the bezels. Depending on the case material, plan to spend between 6,500 and 26,500 USD on a Big Bang Broderie.

The Big Bang Pop Art series is dominated by bright colors, combining pink, orange, turquoise, and green all on one watch. These timepieces cost anywhere from 10,500 to 31,000 USD.

The Big Bang Tutti Frutti is slightly less kaleidoscopic. Most models have a matching dial and band in orange, pink, or blue. Some editions feature a white or black dial combined with a colorful band. Prices for the Big Bang Tutti Frutti start at 13,500 USD. However, if you're interested in buying a pre-owned Big Bang Tutti Frutti Diamond Tourbillon in rose gold, you'll need to reckon with an investment of around 78,500 USD.

2022's Big Bang Unico Summer Purple sticks out with its vibrant purple hue. The anodized, polished and satin-brushed case measures 42 mm in diameter and is made of aluminum. Its purple coating is said to be particularly durable thanks to a special manufacturing process. The Unico Summer Purple is powered by the in-house caliber HUB1280. The chronograph movement offers a power reserve of 72 hours. Actor Noah Schnapp wore the rare "Purple" timepiece at the premiere of the fourth season of "Stranger Things," which attracted a great deal of attention. The model, which is limited to 200 pieces, costs around 22,000 USD on Chrono24.

Hublot created another novelty with the Big Bang Jeans, using blue denim for the strap and dial. The Swiss manufacturer conquered the challenge of combining conflicting materials by enhancing some Jeans models with diamonds on their dials and bezels. On Chrono24, listings for standard Big Bang Jeans models come in at around 6,500 USD, while gold versions with diamonds push 31,000 USD.

Hublot has presented several new Big Bang models since 2018. Take the Big Bang Unico Magic Red, for example, which debuted at Baselworld 2019. This timepiece is limited to a run of 500 pieces, and features a 45-mm case made of bright red ceramic. With a hardness of 1,500 HV (Vickers hardness), this material is extremely robust. The watch's beating heart is the automatic in-house caliber HUB1242 with a flyback function and a 72-hour power reserve. A red rubber strap keeps the timepiece securely on the wrist.

Prices for a mint-condition Big Bang Unico Magic Red on Chrono24 are around 22,500 USD. This is almost 6,000 USD below Hublot's list price of 28,300 USD.

Two new versions were added to the lineup of multicolored sapphire crystal watches in 2021 and 2022, namely the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire and the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire. Inside the 44-mm cases, you'll find the in-house HUB6035 caliber with an automatic micro-rotor. The skeletonized tourbillon is sensational: Like the micro-rotor, it sits on three sapphire bridges and thus looks like it's floating. Both watches are limited to 50 copies. The Orange Sapphire costs about 142,500 USD on Chrono24, while the Purple Sapphire has a list price of 200,000 USD.

Speaking of rarities: only 30 examples of the Big Bang Unico St. Tropez Boutique were produced, so this watch is even harder to come by. Hublot says the model was inspired by legendary party destinations and should remind you of your favorite beaches. The summer-themed watch is powered by the in-house chronograph caliber Unico V2, which offers a 72-hour power reserve. The ceramic bezel, rubber strap, indices, numerals, and hands are turquoise blue and stand out brilliantly against the black ceramic case. Hublot lists this collector's item for 23,600 USD.

The Big Bang Embraces the Digital Age and Leaves Us Wanting More

In early 2022, Hublot collaborated with crypto asset platform Ledger to launch the Big Bang Unico Ledger Chronograph. The partnership culminated in a timepiece that masterfully combines the oldest and most modern currencies in one product. The exclusive package includes the watch, a limited edition Ledger Nano X crypto wallet, and a sapphire crystal watch box. The 42-mm black ceramic Ledger features a bezel from electrum, the gold and silver alloy used to mint coins some 2,500 years ago. On the edge of the bezel is the Latin quote "Vires in Numeris" (strength in numbers), which is considered the motto of the crypto market. The watch is water-resistant to 100 meters (328 ft), so you can even take it swimming. The production run was limited to just 50 copies, but you can find listings on Chrono24 for around 59,000 USD.

Hublot once again pulled out all the stops with the Big Bang Unico Gourmet. This 2022 release is limited to 200 copies and marks the crossover of haute horologie and haute cuisine. The 42-mm case and bezel are made of Damascus steel, a material traditionally used to make chefs' knives. The watch for foodies and connoisseurs was created in cooperation with Michelin and French star chefs Anne-Sophie Pic and Yannick Alléno, who are also Hublot ambassadors. The manufacturer lists the "Gourmet" for a palatable 24,100 USD.

Hublot announced the 42-mm Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon in 2019. Its barrel-shaped case is made of carbon fiber and features black accents. The watch gets its power from the manual Hublot caliber HUB6020, which the manufacturer developed specifically for this timepiece. You can watch the movement at work thanks to the transparent dial. The time display occupies an unorthodox, off-center position at 3 o'clock. There's also a power reserve indicator just below 9 and a tourbillon at 6 o'clock.

This model boasts an impressive 120-hour power reserve, as well as Hublot's patented "One Click" system for switching out the black rubber strap. Although limited to 100 pieces, you can find this watch on Chrono24 for around 85,500 USD.

In 2021, Hublot unveiled the Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Carbon White. As the name suggests, the 42-mm case, case back, and bezel are made of carbon with white micro-glass fibers. This timepiece is also limited to just 100 pieces. You can find it on Chrono24 for around 91,000 USD. The following year, Hublot presented the Tourbillon Automatic Carbon Limited Edition with a 45-mm case. The model costs about 80,500 USD on Chrono24.

Big Bang Integral With an Integrated Bracelet

In 2020, Hublot introduced four Big Bang models with integrated bracelets. The watches feature matching cases and bracelets in black ceramic (Integrated All Black), King Gold, or titanium (Integrated Titanium). The gold and titanium versions are also available with diamonds under the name "Integrated Pavé." Each timepiece is 42 mm in diameter, has a skeletonized dial, and offers a depth rating of 100 m (328 ft).

The automatic in-house chronograph caliber HUB1280 with a flyback function ticks away inside the case. This movement also lends the Integrated a small seconds at 3 o'clock and a 72-hour power reserve. The black ceramic model is limited to a run of 500 pieces, while the titanium and gold editions are in regular series production. Prices begin at around 17,500 USD for a titanium watch. The ceramic version is only slightly more expensive at 19,500 USD, and the King Gold model demands roughly 44,500 USD. If you'd prefer one of the diamond-studded Pavé variants, be sure to have 60,000 USD on hand for the titanium version and 91,500 USD for the same watch in King Gold.

In 2022, Hublot added four new colors to its Integrated collection. There are 250 copies available of each watch, and the four new shades – indigo blue, sky blue, sand beige, and jungle green – are based on the elements. The MSRP is 24,100 USD.

But it doesn't end there, Hublot once again expressed their penchant for colorful watches with the Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Rainbow: red rubies; violet amethysts; blue topaz; rare green tsavorites; and yellow, fuchsia, and orange sapphires adorn this opulent timepiece. The Big Bang Rainbow comes in either 18-karat King Gold or 18-karat white gold. According to the manufacturer, the colorful masterpiece costs a whopping 790,000 USD.

Also launched in 2022, the Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Cathedral Minute Repeater is an evolution of the Big Bang Integrated Ceramic. The limited edition of 36 pieces comprises 18 watches in black ceramic and 18 in white ceramic. This was the first time Hublot included a tourbillon watch with a minute repeater in the series.

The watch is powered by the in-house caliber MHUB8001.RH. The manual movement consists of 319 individual components and 30 jewels. The power reserve is a remarkable 80 hours. The case features both polished and satin-finished surfaces, and the integrated ceramic bracelets boast dual finishing. According to Hublot, the Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Cathedral Minute Repeater costs 295,000 USD.