HUBLOT Big Bang Unico All Black Limited Edition, Hublot Boutique Exclusive

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Swiss watch maker Hublot unveils its first collection of watches available exclusively from Hublot boutiques across the world. This collection was launched at London Hublot Boutique on New Bond Street in the presence of the fastest man on the planet, Usain Bolt.

Of course, true to his reputation as a “serial shopper”, Usain Bolt selected one of the new models from this collection: The “Big Bang Unico All Black Blue”. It is the first time that Hublot has created a collection of watches which will only be available in Hublot boutiques across the world, of which there are currently 71.

They bear the simple yet prestigious stamp: Limited Edition – Hublot Boutique Exclusive. A special range will be released each year. And, of course, an iconic model was chosen to represent the inaugural range: The BIG BANG UNICO ALL BLACK, rendered in elegant colour for this occasion.

A fusion of matt black with blue, red, green or orange, this special BIG BANG UNICO is available in 4 colour ways. It is quintessentially Hublot in that it fuses the Big Bang’s iconic design and the 100% manufacture chronograph movement – unique in the industry with its column wheel and double clutch visible on the dial – all showcased by the unique all black design, visible invisibility invented by Hublot, and completed by a strap made from alligator sewn onto the famous rubber so dear to the brand.

This first special edition range will have a dedicated launch in the Hublot boutiques, which will sport special window wraps to mark the occasion. The cases and display units will also be different, and stamped with this new collection.

The design of the Big Bang Unico features a powerful 45.5 mm diameter case for a stylish mechanical look, and a bezel secured by 6 H-shaped screws with a new subtle and more technical design. A notable feature is the design of the crown, which is screw down with over moulded rubber and decorated on the end with the famous Hublot screw “H”. For the very first time since the creation of the Big Bang in 2005, the push-buttons are round. Each one is protected by a push button guard integrated in the middle and finished like an engine piston.

The sharp angles and intelligent sandwich system have been retained in the case design, but the strap attachment has been optimised: it features the now famous one click system which allows the wearer to switch between a wide choice of straps – each watch is supplied with structured and ribbed natural rubber strap (also new) which perfectly matches the end-pieces of the middle.

Finally, the movement is revealed thanks to a skeleton dial featuring the famous indexes and Arabic numerals, redesigned to give them more volume (and hollowed out and filled with black SuperLuminova on the All Black version), as well as two counters encircled by a polished ring, one for the minutes positioned at 3 o’clock and the other at 9 o’clock for the small second; the date window is positioned at 3 o’clock. The hands have also been reworked, facetted on two levels and filled with black SuperLuminova.

The UNICO manufacture movement is the brand’s signature chronograph movement. It has been entirely designed, developed, machined and assembled by micro-engineers and watchmakers at Hublot.

This Flyback chronograph (a practical solution enabling instant restarting of the chronograph) is the watchmaking industry, and features two push buttons and date indication. It is distinguished by the position of its mechanism with a horizontal double clutch and the famous column wheel visible on the dial side. Its development required a completely original approach and thinking outside the box: the horizontal double clutch with integrated column wheel on the dial side for the central 60 the small 60-minute counter positioned at 3 o’clock.

These simplifications means greater reliability and flexibility in the chronograph’s start, stop and reset functions, as well as enhanced function visibility for the wearer. Its pallet fork and escapement wheel are fixed to a removable platform and are made from silicium, whose lightness provides a guarantee of performance.

The movement’s 330 components befit from high precision and reliability, with several of them produced using LIGA technology. Its frequency of 4 hz/28,800 vibrations per hour and its immaculate finish are also a guarantee of high chronometric quality. Finally its automated production, which includes automation of the machining, stone fitting, oiling and numerous assembly operations also ensures consistent, controlled quality. Its power reserve is around 72 hours.

Technical Details
Model: BIG BANG UNICO ALL BLACK “Limited Edition

References
411. CI.1190.LR.ABB14 (Blue)
411. CI.1190.LR.ABR14 (Red)
411. CI.1190.LR.ABO14 (Orange)
411. CI.1190.LR.ABG14 (Green)

Case
Diameter: 45.5 mm, made from black ceramic
Bezel: Micro-blasted black ceramic, 6 H-shaped black PVD titanium screws, countersunk, polished & locked
Crystal: Sapphire with interior/exterior anti reflective coating and Hublot logo
Bezel Lugs: Black composite resin + black anodised aluminium bezel ring
Lateral inserts: Black composite resin
Crown: PVD titanium with Hublot logo and black over-moulded rubber
Push-pieces: Black PVD
Case-back: Sapphire crystal with interior/exterior antireflective treatment, Micro-blasted black PVD titanium
Water resistance: 10 ATM, i.e. approx. 100 metres

Dial
Matt black varnished skeleton
Black plated counter ring
Black plated indexes, blue or red or orange or green SuperLuminova™
Black plated indexes, black and blue or red or orange or green SuperLuminova™

Movement
UNICO HUB 1242 movement developed and manufactured in house by Hublot
Automatic flyback chronograph
Date: Black window at 3 o’clock
Oscillating weight: Black PVD coating
Power reserve : Approximately 72 hours

Strap
Alligator sewn onto black rubber with coloured stitching
Clasp: Black PVD titanium deployant buckle with black ceramic