Hublot Big Bang Unico Watches

Hublot Big Bang UNICO

When Hublot released the original Big Bang, in 2005, the company established itself as a major player on the modern watchmaking scene. Eight years later an updated version with an in-house movement and a series of materials upgrades showed that Hublot was both a technical and stylistic innovator.

Hublot Big Bang UNICO History and Development

Hublot is known as a thoroughly modern operation in terms of both technology and style. Their brash designs have always turned heads and divided opinions in ways that defy the usual expectations for luxury brands. The original Hublot was the first watch with a gold case on a rubber strap, blending high fashion and strict utilitarianism. That adventurous attitude came to fruition in 2005 with the release of the Big Bang, which served as a palette for some of the brand’s wildest combinations and experiments.

As a part of that experimentation, Hublot invested huge amounts of money in research and development. It pioneered advancements in materials science that would allow them to mix, match and create in ways never before attempted. The original Big Bang had several years of riotous success. Hublot wanted (appropriately) to release a new version of their flagship model that would incorporate the technical prowess they had spent so much to develop. They had to keep pushing the envelope to build the brand.

Almost from the launch of the Big Bang in 2005, Hublot had wanted to create an in-house movement for the watch but was still relying on a modified ETA movement. So, in 2010, when the brand acquired the defunct movement maker BNB Concept’s workshop and some of its staff, the goal was clear. They wanted to create a truly high-end caliber, exclusive to Hublot, that would implement Hublot’s considerable knowledge in materials science to achieve a movement unlike any other offering on the market. After several years of development, the in-house caliber was a reality. Hublot called it UNICO, Italian for “unique.”

The first watches to carry and test the new movement were produced in collaboration with Ferrari in 2011 and 2012. Then Hublot launched a new version of its signature line, updated with the exclusive UNICO movement, to finally offer the Big Bang they’d always wanted. The Big Bang UNICO is a watch that oozes modernity in every aspect. It is visually arresting with a large case, contrasting colors and cutting-edge materials — all to focus your attention on the brand’s in-house UNICO caliber.

Hublot Big Bang UNICO Design and Features

Aesthetically, the Big Bang UNICO offers exactly what customers have come to associate with Hublot. The watch has a large case (the standard UNICO is 45mm). It is available in a variety of materials, including titanium, ceramic, King Gold (the company’s proprietary rose gold blend), all sapphire crystal, and many other combinations. The arresting case had additional visual impact through the partially skeletonized dials.

The straps are mostly rubber, though some carry a metal bracelet or a mixed metal-ceramic bracelet. All of the models feature Hublot’s one-click strap exchange system. This approach requires the wearer to simply push a button positioned near each lug to release the strap. A new strap snaps into place in seconds, making strap changes unusually easy.

But the heart of the Big Bang UNICO, and perhaps its biggest selling point, is the caliber, which is noteworthy for a number of reasons. Most models feature the HUB1242, an automatic winding movement with 72-hour power reserve that drives a column wheel chronograph with a flyback seconds hand. Not only that, but the movement has a modular escapement unit. This allows the balance wheel, escape wheel and escapement itself to be removed and replaced or serviced without dismantling the rest of the movement. There is a significantly shorter turnaround when the watch goes in for service.

GMT versions of the watch swap out the chronograph mechanism for a multiple time zone display with a quick-set hour hand. This allows travelers to adjust the watch to local time almost instantly. Chronograph-style pushers advance or retreat the hour hand by one-hour increments with a simple press, while the home time display is unaffected. A rotating night/day indicator makes it clear whether the home time zone is currently in am or pm.

Later releases of the Big Bang UNICO were also available in a smaller unisex 42mm case with a modified version of the UNICO. Called the UNICO 2 (HUB1280), it maintained the original’s performance and features but increased the movement’s thickness by 1.3mm to maintain the case proportions of the larger 45mm version.

Hublot Big Bang UNICO Collector’s Perspective

Hublot is one of the watchmaking world’s most active brands in terms of research and development. The Big Bang UNICO in particular is the result of advancements in technical expertise that came from years of experimentation and fine-tuning. As a model, it represents what a younger, more modern approach to fine watchmaking looks like. Its collections reflect that reputation as well as the cost of developing its innovations. 

New models vary widely in price. Depending on the combination of case materials and complications, they can start around $17,000 and can reach prices over $90,000. The secondary market maintains that wide range, with preowned models selling for anywhere from around $5,000 to $50,000, depending on condition and model.