The Big Bang Unico Integrated Rainbow and Big Bang Unico Time Only Rainbow celebrate colours via gemstones. Photo: Hublot
Last month saw several watchmakers gather in Singapore to unveil their latest designs. Among those seen at the LVMH Watch Week was Hublot, which presented several nifty timepieces.
Each one is bold in design, but more than that, pushes the boundaries of innovation too.
The Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic for example, now sports a standout neon yellow colour. The watch is made out of a saxem (sapphire aluminium oxide and rare earth mineral) – a material often used in satellites and lasers, which gives it such translucency.
Read more: Luxury watchmakers turn to innovative materials and amazing designs to stand out
According to Hublot, it took nearly three years of research to develop the new colour.
Reproducing a translucent case in a bright, fluorescent shade of neon yellow may seem like a simple idea, but, in actual fact, it was incredibly complex to achieve.
Hublot previously used saxem in 2019’s emerald green Big Bang MP-11. The challenge was getting the right shade, while achieving translucency and still maintaining incredible resistance.
It is hard to miss the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Saxem Yellow Neon. The neon yellow will definitely stand out on any wrist. Photo: Hublot
There is also the a pair of “non-identical twin watches” with colours hard to ignore.
The Big Bang Unico Integrated Rainbow and Big Bang Unico Time Only Rainbow look similar but they are two different models.
These watches are not simply stone-set, but fully paved from the case to the bezel to the bracelet.
Precious stones take their place alongside the most stunning minerals: ruby, amethyst, blue topaz, tsavorite, as well as a whole spectrum of sapphires – pink, orange, blue and yellow.
Each radiant gemstone with its own unique hue, the subtle nuances of which have been paired, one by one, thanks to the expert eyes and hands of the master stone-setter.
There are 174 gemstones in total for the Big Bang Unico Integrated Rainbow and 176 gemstones for the Big Bang Unico Time Only Rainbow, and the bracelet for each piece features 768 and 748 set gemstones respectively.
Another hard to miss watch is the Classic Fusion Original. With this, Hublot brings back a model that shook up conventions in 1980.
Three very modern yet classic Classic Fusion Original watches. Photo: Hublot
Both refined and sporty, this precious gold case strapped on a simple rubber strap, unthinkable at the time, sent huge shock waves through the world of fine watchmaking.
By winning over an audience of connoisseurs who were searching for different watch products, so began a tireless visionary momentum, impelled by audacity. This vision is said to inspire the watchmaker in everything it does, including new product development, designs and partnerships.
Today, the Classic Fusion Original is available in yellow gold, titanium and ceramic. It epitomises youthful maturity with timeless simplicity.
Read more: How beauty brands are innovating with customised services for men
Finally, there is a special model of the Big Bang Unico Sorai. The namesake (acronym of Save Our Rhinos Africa India) is an organisation founded by Hublot ambassador and former international cricket star Kevin Pietersen.
Hublot's Big Bang Unico Sorai continues its mission to help save rhinos. Photo: Hublot
As with the two previous limited editions, part of the proceeds from the sale of the 100 Big Bang Unico Sorai will be donated to the organisation.
The colours chosen for the third limited edition are those of sunset, recalling the heightened danger faced by rhinos as night falls. The sun represents hope, of a new dawn the next day.
