Buffy Acacia
Few watches define brands like Big Bang Defines Hublot. It arrived in 2005 with an explosiveness worth its name, reviving the Hublot brand that had been simply planted for a quarter century. Currently, five limited editions have been released in various case material to celebrate both the origins and current state of the Hublot Big Bang collection, with much more being released as part of Hublot watches and Wonders 2025.
case
When the first Big Bang was announced under the fresh leadership of Jean Claude Bever, it was a reimagining of the original hublot from 1980. The same basic shape and classic porthole bezel existed, but its structure and attitude were completely overhauled. These limited editions come with a brand new case, a stylistic blend of the 2005 Big Bang and the current Big Bang Unico. The “pinch” rug and bezel Nauru edges are taken from the old design, but the general blockness gives the industrial feel of the new model. It’s also newer in diameter, and emphasizes that more of the Big Bang will take watchmaking, but the 13.2mm thickness is pretty wearable when what we’re looking at is put in the context. It is also water resistant to 100 meters if you want to wear a swimming outfit.
The five limited editions are dealt with five different case materials. The first is a titanium ceramic model with a lightweight titanium case and black ceramic bezel, and it hits a great middle zone of comfort and durability limited to 500 pieces. Similarly limited is the all black, made from a murdered Gothic frenzy, completely black ceramic. The more exclusive of 250 is Hublot’s 18K King Gold, which contains a large amount of platinum in its alloy, providing greater resistance to discoloration and overall stability. Next, there is a red ceramic version that certainly affects you, as it is limited to 100. Finally, Hublot’s Magic Gold is limited to 100 pieces, combining 18K gold with boron carbide ceramics, completely scratch-proof alloys.
Dial
This isn’t either, either, as the debut Big Bang didn’t actually have a carbon fiber dial. Instead, it is simply a stamp pattern that mimics the weave of carbon fibers. Technically it’s a cheap option, but it also has a kind of love. However, instead of the original triple-registered chronograph, the dial takes after the Big Bang Unico Flyback Chronograph model with a 60-minute counter and a running second subdial. The Unico movement only appeared after the Big Bang was already released in 2010, but as an internal caliber, Hublot represents the place it is today.
Another feature of the Big Bang style is the alternating markers of Arabic and Baton Hour, with Unico models using the Arabic stencil cutout style in particular. This gives you a more militaristic look, with more colours when something contrasted is used, such as some of these limited edition red or gold. The date window is hidden at 4:30. The hand of the second also has a counterbalance of Hublot “H” and red is generally used as an accent color across all new references.
Movement
As has been debated, the Unico Flyback Chronograph was Hublot’s first internal effort, with its main claim to fame being a 72-hour power reserve, along with a modular escape that could be adapted to almost any complication. The current Calibre Hub1280 (Unico 2 released in 2018) has expanded into countless Hublot Calibres, specially designed for fun in skeletalization. This is not the case with these watches, so the double horizontal clutch is not visible. However, from the case back on the Sapphire display, you can see the skeletonized winding rotor and its balance wheel. The main improvements from Unico 1 to Unico 2 were slimmer and smaller sizes, allowing it to be used with watches less than 45mm in diameter.
strap
All new Big Bang 20th Anniversary Editions use black rubber straps for the most comfortable and versatility possible, except for the red ceramic model with a color match strap. The carbon grid design on the dial is echoed to a diamond-cut texture that runs through the center of the strap, with a contrasting black edge in the red reference. If you want to try out the straps, the watch is equipped with Hublot’s one-click strap replacement system, and we’re sure it will allow for other combinations.
verdict
Given that you can already purchase some variations of the 2005 archetype in the Big Bang Original Catalog, it’s refreshing to see Hublot approach this anniversary with something other than a pure reissue. Adherence to the art of fusion means that the material in the case is truly interesting and distinguishes these limited editions from other Hublots, and in fact, other watches of all kinds of kinds.
Hublot Big Bang 20th Anniversary Editions Pricing and Availability
The Hublot Big Bang 20th Anniversary Editions are limited to 500 titanium and black ceramics, 250 king gold and 100 magic gold or red ceramics. Price: USD 20,800 (Titanium), USD 25,200 (Black Ceramic), USD 31,800 (Red Ceramic), USD 38,400 (King Gold), USD 40,500 (Magic Gold)
Brand Hublot Model Big Bang 20th Anniversary Edition Reference 431.NM.1337.RX (Titanium Ceramic)
431.OM.1338.RX (King Gold)
431.cf.1313.rx (red ceramic)
431.ci.1340.rx (all black)
431.MX.1330.RX (Magic Gold) Case Dimensions 43mm (D) Case with Black Ceramic Bezel Material Titanium
18k King Gold
Red ceramic
Black ceramic
18K Magic Gold Water Resistance 100 Meter Crystal Sapphire Front and Back Dial Stamp Type Carbon Effect Bracelet and Strap Integrated Rubber Strap Hublot One-Click System Exercise HUB1280, In-house, Automatic Power Reserve Time, Minutes, Running, Seconds, Date, Flyback Chronograph Available 500 Pieces
250 King Gold
Magic Gold or Red Ceramic Price 100 Pieces US$20,800 (Titanium)
25,200 US$ (Black Ceramic)
31,800 US$ (red ceramic)
US $38,400 (King Gold)
40,500 US Dollars (Magic Gold)
