A Single Concept Ignited a Brand's Breakout Success, Leading to a Decade of Watchmaking History

Since 2004, it has been akin to witnessing the masterful touch of Jean-Claude Biver, the celebrated figure who revived the historic watch brand Blancpain. The Big Bang of 2005 created a cosmic ripple effect, forming a powerful family of timepieces. In 2015, its anniversary year, the brand continued to impress with new models befitting the "fusion" concept, including complications, Ferrari collaborations, and proprietary materials.

The Fusion of Hublot and Ferrari

The concept of "fusion" extends beyond the merging of materials; it encompasses various meanings, such as the fusion of tradition and cutting-edge technology, or the integration of old and new Hublot. In collaborations like this series, it represents the "fusion of Hublot and Ferrari."

The "Big Bang Ferrari Carbon Titanium" is more than just a watch bearing the Prancing Horse emblem on its dial. It utilizes titanium, an essential material for automobiles, for the case front and back, employs fiberglass for the middle case, and features a bezel crafted from Hublot's proprietary material, a fusion of carbon fiber and titanium. The rotor visible through the sapphire case back resembles a Ferrari wheel, and the movement glimpsed through the skeletonized dial evokes the image of an engine.

The strap, a blend of fine Schedoni leather and rubber stitched with vivid red thread, recalls the refined interiors of Ferrari cars. Hublot's unique ability to perfectly translate the essence of Ferrari into a wristwatch is truly remarkable.

A Dynamic Limited Edition for "Ma-kun"

Masahiro Tanaka, the first Japanese ambassador for Hublot, inspires this "Aero Bang" model in white and navy, a limited edition designed in his image as he plays for the New York Yankees.

The most striking feature is undoubtedly the color scheme. The strap boasts navy blue stripes on a white base. The etched white dial also features navy indices, and the case's subtle grey steel sides are complemented by navy fiberglass.

The case back's sapphire crystal is etched with Ma-kun's silhouette, a tribute to his triumphant pose during the 2013 Japan Series, which will surely resonate with fans. The model name "MT88" refers to his initials and birth year, 1988, and the limited production of 88 pieces also honors this year. The skeletonized design, revealing the intricate mechanics within, further evokes the dynamic energy of Tanaka. For fans, this rare timepiece is an unmissable collector's item.

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A Decade of Growth: Hublot's Signature Model

The Enduring Classic Big Bang Turns 10 (2)

Fusing Traditional Complications

The "Big Bang" has previously featured numerous complications fused with its design, such as the tourbillon. However, 2015, its 10th anniversary year, marks the first time a perpetual calendar, a hallmark of mechanical watchmaking precision, has been incorporated.

A perpetual calendar mechanically determines not only the varying lengths of months but also the rules for leap years, eliminating the need for date adjustments within this century. This complex mechanism, often called a mechanical computer, serves as a milestone for watch brands, demonstrating their prowess. Housing this mechanism within the Unico in-house caliber and encasing it in the distinctive King Gold is another elegant "fusion."

Generous Use of Hublot's Unique Scratch-Resistant Gold

A common drawback of gold, a stable material, is its relatively low hardness, making it prone to surface scratches. While 18K gold offers some improvement in scratch resistance due to its alloy composition (making up a quarter of the metal), its Vickers hardness typically reaches only around 400 HV, falling short of stainless steel's 600 HV.

However, "Magic Gold," co-developed with the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) and released in 2011, boasts a Vickers hardness of 1000 HV. Created by high-temperature sintering of boron carbide, a ceramic material that becomes porous upon hardening, and then infusing it with gold, "Magic Gold" is exceptionally hard, resisting all but diamond cutters. Its subtle bronze hue lends a vintage, antique watch-like aesthetic to the modern design of the "Big Bang."

With the exception of the case sides, push-pieces, and crown, this model's full utilization of "Magic Gold" opens a new frontier for the "Big Bang" on its 10th anniversary, offering a gold watch that can be enjoyed without reservation.



LVMH Watch & Jewelry Japan Hublot
Tel. 03-3263-9566

http://www.hublot.com/