SpotlightRediscovering The Big Bang: Hublot Collaborate With Samuel Ross For The Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A
Hublot ambassador, British artist and fashion designer Samuel Ross teams up with Hublot yet again, releasing the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A—a somewhat monochromatic follow-up from the pair's previous collaboration in 2022
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In the world of watches, you often see collaborations that stay in line with the personality of a brand. A good collaboration always makes sense in terms of aesthetics, and the approach and values of all the parties are often aligned. In the case of Hublot’s recent Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A with Samuel Ross, it ticks all the boxes.
The pair collaborated in 2022, with a watch that boasted eye-catching orange hues, an interesting honeycomb design for the case, and, of course, the oversized look. One can safely assume that that timepiece did well since the latest launch is a follow-up to the 2022 edition. Let’s take a look at what’s new.
Samuel Ross And The Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A
“Samuel Ross is one of those people who immediately makes an impact. His creative approach is both aesthetic and functional, his design purposeful. He creates simple and striking objects,” stated the brand, speaking of their fruitful collaborations with Samuel Ross.
“We share the same attraction to materials, technique, and innovation,” they add. To those wondering why materials and innovation are such a big deal to Hublot, it’s because in 1980, the brand became the first to pair an 18-karat gold case with a rubber strap. Ever since, Hublot’s modern approach to watchmaking has largely been centred around the use of innovative materials, and we’d say it has worked out for them.
The Makings Of Hublot’s Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A With Samuel Ross
Now, on to the watch, which is their latest example of innovative combinations of materials. The most striking feature of the watch is the honeycomb-shaped frame, which includes honeycomb patterns on the lugs and the sides of the case. Not only does this add a layered look to the timepiece; it also perfectly complements the overall dynamics of the watch.
The case is crafted from shiny micro-blasted titanium, and perhaps the biggest difference between this piece and its predecessor is the monochromatic appearance of the case bumpers, which originally bore a bright orange colour. The rubberised grip of the winding crown has also been changed from orange to grey to match the monochrome vibe.
At 44mm in diameter and 13.75mm thick, the watch has enough room to highlight each aspect of its craftsmanship without being obnoxiously large. The caseback offers an interesting spectacle as well. Instead of opting for the fully skeletonised caseback, Samuel Ross opted to further strengthen the design language by adding a honeycomb-shaped titanium plate under a sapphire crystal, which partially reveals the movement beneath.
The HUB6035 calibre running this piece is the same as the one used in the 2022 Samuel Ross collaboration, which runs at a frequency of 21,600vph and affords the timepiece a power reserve of 72 hours. At 12, you’ll find a micro-rotor displayed on the dial side, and at six, you’ll see the tourbillon on full display.
The Monochromatic Appeal Of The Samuel Ross Tourbillon Watch
The tourbillon bridge now features a metallic grey colour to better fit the aesthetics of the watch, which was originally given a bright orange colour. The intention is quite clear: to provide a monochromatic yet captivating frame to the watch, which allows it to fit well with the three different coloured straps the watch comes with. Thanks to the quick-release system, the straps are easily interchangeable as well.
Perhaps the biggest pull of the timepiece is the difference in appearance between this and Hublot’s other Big Bang timepieces. It holds quite a pull, but the daring honeycomb pattern shape and design on a bold 44mm case may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Good thing it’s just limited to 50 pieces.