Russell Sheldrake
Sustainability is currently becoming an increasingly important issue in watchmaking. Sustainably sourced metals, upcycled/recycled materials, reduced packaging and renewable energy used in production are all incorporated into the press packs distributed by the brand. However, I don’t think I’ve ever come across a watch made from objects or clothing used by a brand’s ambassadors. Perhaps the only time this has happened is when Hublot made a strap from the running spikes worn by Usain Bolt to break the 100m world record.
But this time, Hublot has outdone itself by acquiring 25 racquets and 32 polo shirts used by Novak Djokovic during the 2023 season and combining them to create this ultra-lightweight limited edition case. . And as we all know, Hublot is one of the best brands when it comes to ambassadors. The focus on weight reduction is not limited to this new composite material. The movement is made of aluminum and features illuminated Gorilla Glass instead of the standard sapphire crystal. Nothing has been touched here except for the skeletonized lugs.
case
As mentioned above, the case of this watch is made of a composite material consisting of 25 HEAD rackets, 17 dark blue and 15 light blue Lacoste polo shirts, which Djokovic used during the 2023 season . It was during this season that Djokovic broke the men’s singles Grand Slam record with his 24th win. He is also the fifth player to complete the Golden Slam, winning all four Grand Slams and winning an Olympic singles gold medal in the same year.
These disparate materials, which would not normally make up a watch case, are combined with epoxy resin reinforced with quartz powder and glass bottles. These connecting elements help maintain the structural integrity of the case, and the parts in Djokovic’s kit create a camouflage-like effect. This makes the case look like it’s been given a camo skin straight out of Call of Duty, while cutouts on the lugs, bezel, and ears help keep weight to a minimum.
For the caseback, pushers, crown, sub-bezel, and other places where this colorful composite material might not make much sense, Hublot has opted for lightweight aluminum, the same material as the movement. I’ll explain more later. As mentioned above, both the front and back of the crystal are made from Gorilla Glass, a scratch-resistant glass that is twice as light as sapphire crystal.
Of course, this is no small watch, with a case diameter of 42mm and a thickness of 14.5mm. But his unapologetically large size seems to be a perfect fit for the attitude Djokovic has always brought to the tennis court. However, thanks to the watch’s light weight, its size doesn’t really matter on your wrist. The lugs are slanted downwards, where you’ll find the brand’s unique One Click system for straps, four of which are included with this watch.
dial
It’s hard to say whether this was to further reduce weight or to highlight the blue aluminum Unico Manufacture movement, but the dial here is fully skeletonized in standard Hublot fashion. I am. The blue movement is fully visible from the dial, which has been cut away as much as possible. There is a large 60-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a seconds hand at 9, and luminous markers cut into the edges of the dial. There is a small cutout at the end of the minute counter for the date window, and you can see the entire date wheel rotating inside the minute track.
The dial is almost entirely blue and white, except for some odd yellow accents on the edges of the chronograph seconds and minutes hands, and the scales that read them. This works in conjunction with the yellow pushers to start and stop the chronograph. The counterweight of the large seconds hand features Djokovic’s own logo, a subtle nod to the tennis star, and the screws on the domed, curved slotted bezel are also fashioned to resemble tennis balls.
strap
As mentioned above, this watch comes with four different straps. This is a great way to take advantage of Hublot’s One Click system, which is one of the best quick systems on the market today. Strap options include: rubber strap with titanium deployment buckle, ‘Lacoste’ tennis wristband, Velcro strap with blue aluminum sports buckle, and elastic strap. The total weight of the watch is 49.5 grams. Hublot likes to point out that it’s lighter than a tennis ball. Having such a wide variety of strap options is not only a great way to display the Oe Click’s capabilities, but for a watch like this with the ability to perform so many active activities, Different activities may require different straps. .
movement
Inside is the Unico Manufacture movement, Hublot’s in-house chronograph that debuted in 2010, with a column wheel, double horizontal clutch, and flyback function. The movement itself is a great showcase of what Hublot can achieve in producing high-end movements, but here they decided to go a step further and create a movement that would normally be made from brass entirely out of aluminium. Although this makes the movement 27% lighter, careless repairs on this watch outside of a Hublot-authorized workshop will definitely cause problems. You’ll notice the openwork rotor incorporates the letter ‘D’, a final nod to the Serbs.
judgment
Like other ultra-light watches, when you first hold this watch, your face will be drawn and you will want to move your hand up and down. Yes, that’s exactly what the light is. It also doesn’t have the standard matte look of titanium, which can come as a bit of a shock. And, thanks to this lightness and its shape, it is surprisingly comfortable to wear.
I was a little confused at first because there are so many strap options. Never before have I been given so many choices in one watch. But once you find what works best for your needs and wrist, it’s easy to stick with it. However, be sure to give each pack a proper road test. There’s nothing wrong with this pack.
I’ve never seen a mottled case material before, but it looks like a cross between a forged carbon case and a ceramic case, and given Hublot’s material expertise, I can imagine this will last a long time. But I think this is a fitting tribute to Djokovic. The Serbian player shows a certain flair when he takes to the court, and this watch certainly matches that. Is this watch worth 24 Grand Slam wins? Well, only time will tell on this one.
Hublot Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic price and availability
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Novak Djokovic is available now in a limited edition of 100 pieces. Owners of this watch will also receive a Lacoste wristband and T-shirt, especially signed by Novak Djokovic himself. Price: $52,700
Brand Hublot Model Unico Big Bang Novak Djokovic Case Dimensions 42mm (D) x 14.5mm (T) Case Material Recycled composite of Djokovic’s polo shirt and racket Water Resistance 100 meters Crystal Gorilla Glass, front and back Dial Skeleton Strap Blue Velcro fabric , blue rubber band Movement Manufactured by Unico Power reserve 72 hours Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph Availability Limited to 100 pieces. Price $52,700
