I have written a lot about Hublot, the brand, the lifestyle, and its many frequent novelties. In this post I instead want to take a look back at some of the novelties Hublot showed me in 2019 that are in the esoteric and even extreme category. These kind of uncommon watches are what, frankly, make the Hublot brand one you cannot ignore. Like them or hate them, you have to admit that they are interesting.
With Mr. Jean-Claude Biver (JCB), the father of the brand, well into his next career, Hublot has continued to thrive with Mr. Ricardo Guadalupe who continued to closely follow the winning formulae JCB had established. Create timepieces that are evolutions of (now) three main designs. The changes are primarily around varying the material used, adding odd materials to the mix, “fusing” materials, and partnering with various artists, sports figures, and otherwise interesting culturally relevant people who have different styles.
Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 "Nicky Jam “Rainbow”
The 2019 novelties I want to look back on all follow the “Hublot Big Bang recipe” and for the most part, in my view, succeed widely at producing a uniquely Hublot timepiece. Does that translate into a watch you are likely to see at the next social event? Unlikely. However, that’s exactly the point. These limited (all Hublot watches are limited) are not meant for the new collector or those discovering Hublot today. Instead, they are for the season collector, perhaps already owning an Hublot, wanting something unique in a familiar package. Let’s explore three of these interesting Hublot watches.
Big Bang Paraíba
Hublot has used various gemstones for its watches in the past. However, in a first of it’s kind, the brand released a Big Bang decorated with the super rare South American Paraíba Tourmaline. According to Hublot, for each of the turquoise stones, more than 10,000 diamonds are unearth. Obviously, it’s an estimate, to show the rarity of the Paraíba. However, it clearly illustrates the rarity of the stone and I personally had no clue that there were gemstones so much rarer than vivid colored diamonds.
In any case, the resulting watch is very expensive and somewhat unique as its turquoise hue. The color, according to Mr. Guadalupe, “lies in its fusion of gold, manganese and copper; an incandescent glow seems to illuminate the stone from within.” Clearly the Paraíba is a stone that fits the Hublot brand in more way than one.
There are 4 models for the Big Bang Unico Paraíba. In the manly 45 mm as well as a more ladies-sized model at 39 mm: white gold or King Gold and each includes no less than 48 baguette-cut and 388 brilliant-cut stones. Both models include a matching turquoise gummy alligator strap with deployment buckle that is also adorned with the rare gems.
The 45 mm model includes the UNICO HUB1242 manufacture movement, with a three days power reserve. The movement shows through the side of the watch. Whereas the smaller model features a HUB1710 self-winding mechanical movement with the date at 3 o'clock and a power reserve of 50 hours.
Classic Fusion Orlinski Tourbillon
The other way that Hublot pushes the boundary and creates unexpected fusion and watch models, is by collaborating with avant-garde and eccentric artists. Perhaps the most unique of these collaborations in recent years are the Orlinski watches. By fusing the unique style of the contemporary French artist Richard Orlinksi, the brand created a series of Classic Fusion watches that reflect the many facade of the sculptor’s works of art.
The latest 2019 model is the most unique as it also includes a HUB6021 5-day power reserve Tourbillon movement. It maintains the complex faceted dial that the previous Orlinksi models have and also is executed in either King Gold or in microblasted black ceramic. The watches are distinct from the other watches in the Hublot portfolio for using a unique faceted dial design by the artist and also using a unique (for the brands) dophine-hand design.
A choice that fits best with the Orlinksi styled dial but that I have yet to personally appreciate... The watches also comes on a transparent or black rubber strap, fitted with a deployant buckle clasp matching the case. The models are limited to 30 and are priced at $100,000 for the gold and $90,000 for the ceramic.
Spirit Big Bang in Yellow Sapphire
After pioneering the creation of colored sapphire watches. Hublot decided to add more colors to the mix. Just as it did for ceramic watches. After transparent, smoked black, blue, and red sapphires, Hublot continued in its color quest and created now an unlikely yellow model.
The result is of a remarkably sunny yellow, with a deep hue that never offends while staying also brilliant. To achieve this world first, sunny sapphire, Hublot fused copper (Cu) with aluminium oxide (Al2O3). And as with all sapphires the material remains as scratch resistant and hard as it always was — second only to diamonds.
The watch includes a matching yellow rubber strap fuses well with the case and includes a black-plated titanium deployant clasp. The brand claims this is just the beginning with new colors coming down the years. The Hublot yellow sapphire Spirit of Big Bang is limited to 100 and is priced at $122,000.
In this small sample from Hublot’s 2019 releases, the brand from Nyon, Switzerland showed its range for creativity using the platform of its main watch family. From using stones rarer than diamonds, to collaborating with a famous pop artist, and to using new color twist on well know material. Hublot has a watch for your unique taste. While I am not an owner yet, the more I look at Hublot watches in person, try them on, the more I like them. Of course, many of the watches are out of my budget and the reach of most collectors. And it seems that the models I like the most tend to be in that stratospheric range.
So while I won’t be joining the Hublotista family this year, I implore the reader to visit one of the many authorized dealers or Hublot boutiques to see what I mean. I especially recommend this to those who seem to have formed an opinion about the brand before they have owned or tried any of their watches. You might be surprised. And if you are looking for a modern timepiece with unique twists, I can think of no better brand. hublot.com
One of the not-to-miss places to visit during any stay in Geneva is the MB&F M.A.D. Gallery. This is especially the case if you are in Geneva for a watch event or have any interest in watches. The M.A.D. Gallery is everything you would expect from Max Büsser and his interesting, innovative, and crazy watches, but also the crazy cool designs that he shows us on a regular basis.