Hublot : Bold technical and aesthetic moves

MP 05  “ LaFerrari ”

Case:  black PVD-treated titanium, sapphire back Movement: openworked, mechanical manual-winding 637 parts, suspended vertical tourbillon, 21,600 vph, 11 series-coupled barrels, 50-day power reserve Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve Dial: black anodized aluminium cylinders, SuperLuminova-coated inscriptions Strap: rubber Limited edition: 50 units

Developed in parallel with the LaFerrari supercar of which it echoes the streamlined profile, the Hublot MP-05 “LaFerrrari” watch is an impressive creation – not only aesthetically speaking as is immediately obvious, but also on a technical level. It boasts an unprecedented level of autonomy for a hand-wound tourbillon : a 50-day power reserve thanks to 11 interconnected inline-mounted barrels. This reserve is displayed on the left, in the same way as the hours and minutes on the opposite side, by means of large luminescent numerals inscribed on black anodized aluminum cylinders. On either side of the latter, red reinforcement bars serve as a reminder of the carmaker’s signature color. The small seconds cylinder is fixed in an original manner – meaning vertically on a particularly large-diameter tourbillon carriage. The exceptional visibility of the fascinating mechanism is especially appreciable. The movement comprising 637 parts – a record for Hublot – is housed within a PVD-treated titanium case topped by a complex-shaped sapphire crystal. The winding crown is nested in a central insert at the top of the watch, while the time-setting crown is placed on the back of the watch. Both are perfectly integrated into the design and virtually invisible. Teamed with a rubber strap fitted with a dedicated folding clasp, the MP-05 “LaFerrari” is issued in a 50-piece strictly limited edition. It comes in a Schedoni leather and carbon fiber presentation box containing the tools designed to wind it.

 

 

Big Bang Unico

Case: King Gold and ceramic Diameter: 45,5 mm Movement: openworked, Unico mechanical automatic caliber, 330 parts, 28,800 vph, 72-hour power reserve Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, flyback chronograph, date Dial: matt black varnished, rhodiumed or 5N plated hands, white SuperLuminova Strap: textured rubber Water resistance:  00 meters

 

Classic Fusion Classico skeleton ultra-thin

Case: polished and satin-brushed black ceramic, H-shaped titanium screws, sapphire back Diameter: 45 mm Movement: ultra-thin openworked Classico mechanical manual-winding caliber, 123 parts, 21,600 vph, 90h power reserve Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds Dial:  sapphire, polished blackened hands and hour-markers Strap: rubber-lined alligator leather Water resistance: 50 meters

 

With the Big Bang Unico, Hublot inaugurates a line of products dedicated to the developments of its first in-house or “Manufacture” movement. First launched in 2009, the Flyback chronograph is distinguished by the dial-side positioning of its double-clutch column-wheel mechanism. It is now housed in a Big Bang with a revamped design featuring a broad case and a deliberately technical dial. The H-shaped screw heads are made even more striking thanks to polished and satin-brushed finishes. The new crown is rubber-clad, and the pushbuttons are round for the first time. Their protective guards, which are recessed into the case middle, resemble engine pistons. Meanwhile, the optimized lugs are fitted with the famous “One Click” system that enables owners to replace the strap provided with the watch, a rubber model with an unusual texture, to match their mood. The skeletonized dial displays the various items of information by means of large numerals and hour-markers swept over by twin-level faceted hands – all enhanced by SuperLuminova. The counters are rimmed by polished rings and the minutes subdial at 3 o’clock opens onto an original date window. Overall, the Big Bang Unico is entirely in tune with the Hublot DNA : a sporty, high-performance model that focuses on functionality and eliminates any superfluous details.

 

The flagship model among the classic Hublot watches and which has acquired best-seller status in less than a year, the Classic Fusion Classicoskeleton ultra-thin appears in a new version with a polished and satin-brushed black ceramic case. The Classico Manufacture-made movement, measuring just 2.90 mm thick, is beautifully highlighted by a highly graphic openworked approach and by surface treatments matching the color of the case. The small seconds at 7 o’clock is a notable nod to brand history, since it picks up the design of the very first Hublot watches. A rubber lining makes the strap even more comfortable, supple and durable. Epitomizing the subtle balance between the classicism of extreme thinness and the dynamism of the House style, this Classic Fusion Classico skeleton ultra-thin eloquently expresses the brand’s cherished principle of the fusion between traditional and modern elements.

 

 

Big Bang Carbon Bezel Baguette

Case: carbon fiber, bezel set with diamonds, sapphires, rubies or tsavorites, sapphire back Diameter: 44 mm Movement: mechanical automatic, 252 parts, 28,800 vph, 42h power reserve, black finishing Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, date Dial: carbon fiber, colorful inscriptions matching the gemstones Strap: hornback alligator leather with rubber lining Water resistance: 100 meters

 

Big Bang Zebra Bang

Case: Red Gold 18K, setting composed of 17 colorless topazes and 31 black spinels Diameter: 41 mm Movement: mechanical automatic, 42h power reserve Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph, date Dial: zebra-print motif, diamond-set hour-markers Strap: zebra-print calfskin with rubber lining Water resistance: 100 meters

 

In successfully setting baguette-cut stones on carbon fiber watches, Hublot accomplished a world-first feat for which a patent has been duly filed. The exclusive hand-crafted and in-house developed procedure has given rise to four avant-garde Big Bang models enhanced with 48 diamonds, sapphires, rubies or tsavorites on the bezel. Sporty, light and ultra-sturdy thanks to their Full Carbon concept – encompassing the case, bezel and dial – they glow with a mysteriously captivating radiance that is accentuated by the vivid accents on the counters, logo and straps reflecting the respective gemstone colors. These Big Bang Carbon Bezel Baguette watches are driven by a black PVD, ruthenium and black gold automatic chronograph movement visible through a sapphire case-back.

 

After the success of the Leopard Bang and Boa Bang models comes the turn of the zebra print to make its stage entrance. This sexy motif truly rocks for both day and evening wear. On the ultra-feminine Zebra Bang watch, it adorns the dial as well as the supple and comfortable rubber-lined calfskin strap. As if to echo its black and white stripes, the bezel is set with 48 alternating baguette-cut colorless topaz and black spinel stones, while the dial is punctuated by 8 diamond hour-markers. Equipped with an automatic chronograph movement, the new model comes in three versions, each issued in a 250-piece limited series : red gold case and bezel white ceramic case and white gold bezel ; black ceramic case and black anodized aluminum bezel.


Brice Lechevalier is editor-in-chief of GMT and Skippers, which he co-founded in 2000 and 2001 respectively. He has also been CEO of WorldTempus since it joined the GMT Publishing stable, of which he is director and joint shareholder. In 2012 he created the Geneva Watch Tour, and he has been an advisor to the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève since 2011. Also closely involved in sailing, he has published the magazine of the Société Nautique de Genève since 2003, and was one of the founders of the SUI Sailing Awards in 2009 and the Concours d’Elégance for motor boats at the Cannes Yachting Festival in 2015.

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