SpotlightGold Rush: Introducing The Hublot Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold

Known for bold watches that always make a statement, Hublot released their Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold timepiece to mark 18 years of their now iconic Big Bang collection. The case and bezel of the watch are made from the brand’s proprietary Magic Gold—Hublot’s proprietary alloy of gold and ceramic. With golden hands and highlights that match the case, the black skeletonised dial is paired with an integrated black rubber strap, because black and gold is a combination that never fails. And, while Hublot have done a Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold in the past, it wasn’t quite as striking as this new dual-toned timepiece—the stark black of the watch only enhances the muted-golden sheen, cementing proof of Hublot’s alchemy.

It All Started With A Big Bang

First released in 2005, Hublot’s Big Bang was disruptive, to say the least, with its robust 44mm case size, pusher guards, and exposed rivets on the bezel. The idea was to retain the porthole inspiration of Hublot’s first watches, but also to update the design to incorporate then chairman Jean Claude Biver’s ‘art of fusion’ concept. The resultant watch featured a sandwich case structure, ceramic bezel with six exposed H-shaped screws, unique military-stencil style numerals on the dial, and a textured rubber strap. The Big Bang watch won the GPHG award for design that year. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Big Bang collection has become Hublot’s signature line, with many sub-series of watches in various shapes and sizes inspired by the first Big Bang. “A major milestone for Hublot, but also for the industry, in that it created not only its own look, spirit, universe, and technical achievements, but also its own large community of fans and collectors,” says CEO Ricardo Guadalupe. “At the same time, at 18, it remains as fresh and carefree as the day it was released. The Big Bang still has a lot to say.”

"At 18, the Big Bang remains as fresh and carefree as the day it was released. The Big Bang still has a lot to say,” says Hublot CEO Ricardo Guadalupe

Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold Version 2.0

The sandwich-style case of the latest dual-toned Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold watch is made from Magic Gold, Hublot’s proprietary gold and ceramic alloy created by injecting 24-karat liquid gold into cold-pressed boron carbide (ceramic) at high pressure. The resultant super-hard 18-karat gold alloy ‘can only be scratched by diamond’, according to the brand. The bezel is made from the same alloy, with six blackened H-shaped screws popping against the gold. Not a very gaudy gold though, the muted hue is enhanced by contrasting deep black titanium pushers and guards, and a black structured, lined interchangeable rubber strap, with a matching ceramic and titanium deployant clasp.

The golden highlights on the dial, and the gilt of the case, while different shades, perfectly complement each other. The hands, stencil-style numerals and hour markers, minute track around the periphery of the dial, and counters at nine and three o’clock are in 3N gold against a matt black skeleton dial. Through this dial, as well as through the exhibition caseback, one can glimpse at the heart of the watch—the calibre HUB 1280, with an impressive power reserve of 72 hours. Not only is this new the new UNICO 2 manufacture movement much thinner but also boasts a quieter winding system and better shock resistance.

Available in a limited-run of 200 pieces only, this classic-inspired Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold watch is an appropriate celebration of the Big Bang’s milestone year—and of the brand’s ‘art of fusion’. This Full Magic Gold timepiece, according to Guadalupe, “Truly embodies the essence of our manufacture.”