Hublot Introduces Its First Sapphire Diamond-Set Case
Ten years after the original Big Bang Impact Bang debuted in 2016, Hublot has expanded the concept with the new Spirit of Big Bang Impact collection. The latest release introduces a major technical milestone for the brand: the first-ever integration of diamonds directly into a sapphire crystal case.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The collection explores Hublot’s continued focus on advanced materials, combining sapphire, ceramic, diamonds and osmium across three limited-edition references. While visually bold, the watches are equally significant for the manufacturing techniques behind them, particularly the precision required to machine and gem-set sapphire crystal.
A New Step in Sapphire Watchmaking
Sapphire is one of the hardest materials used in modern watchmaking, ranking 9 on the Mohs hardness scale. While sapphire cases themselves are already difficult to produce, setting diamonds directly into sapphire introduces an entirely new engineering challenge.
According to Hublot, each fancy-cut diamond requires individually machined mounting channels created directly within the sapphire structure. The diamonds are secured using polished gold channels and laser-machined mounts designed specifically for each stone. The process reportedly requires hundreds of hours of machining, polishing and assembly for a single case.
This achievement builds on Hublot’s expertise with sapphire cases that began with the Big Bang Unico Sapphire introduced in 2016.
The Spirit of Big Bang Impact Design
The collection continues the fragmented “Impact” motif first seen in the 2016 Big Bang Impact Bang. The geometric pattern extends from the bezel into the dial, creating a layered architectural effect across all three models.
Each applique is hand-positioned with micron-level precision, while the skeletonized construction allows the movement to become part of the overall visual structure.
All three watches are housed in Hublot’s 42mm tonneau-shaped Spirit of Big Bang case, a design introduced in 2014 as the brand’s first major departure from the traditional round case format.
At the centre of each model is the HUB1770 self-winding skeletonized moonphase calibre featuring:
- 288 components
- 27 jewels
- 4Hz frequency (28,800 vibrations per hour)
- Approximately 50-hour power reserve
- Skeletonized moonphase display at 6 o’clock
- Big Date display at 1 o’clock
Spirit of Big Bang Impact Sapphire Jewellery
Hublot’s First Sapphire Diamond-Set Watch
The highlight of the collection is the Spirit of Big Bang Impact Sapphire Jewellery, limited to 20 pieces worldwide.
The watch features a polished sapphire crystal case paired with 145 fancy-cut diamonds integrated throughout the bezel and dial architecture. The bezel alone contains 54 fancy-cut diamonds, while 91 additional stones are positioned across the dial.
Unlike traditional gem-setting, the diamonds appear embedded within the transparent sapphire structure itself, extending the fragmented Impact motif seamlessly across the watch.
Technical Specifications
- Reference: 647.JX.9000.RW.1904.IMP26
- Limited Edition: 20 pieces
- Case Material: Polished sapphire crystal
- Case Size: 42mm
- Thickness: 15.50mm
- Water Resistance: 50m / 5 ATM
- Bezel: Sapphire crystal set with 54 fancy-cut diamonds
- Dial: 91 fancy-cut diamond appliques
- Movement: HUB1770 self-winding skeleton moonphase calibre
- Strap: White lined rubber strap
- Clasp: Titanium deployant buckle clasp
Spirit of Big Bang Impact Sapphire
Sapphire and Osmium Combined
The second model in the collection introduces crystallized osmium into the dial architecture. Limited to 30 pieces, the watch combines polished rhodium-plated appliques with osmium fragments that create a naturally reflective metallic texture.
Osmium is considered one of the rarest metals on Earth and is known for its density and distinctive crystalline appearance. Hublot has worked with crystallized osmium in watchmaking since 2014.
The transparent sapphire case highlights the layered structure of the dial while maintaining the collection’s fragmented visual identity.
Technical Specifications
- Reference: 647.JX.0106.RW.IMP26
- Limited Edition: 30 pieces
- Case Material: Polished sapphire crystal
- Case Size: 42mm
- Thickness: 14.25mm
- Water Resistance: 50m / 5 ATM
- Dial: Rhodium-plated appliques with osmium elements
- Movement: HUB1770 self-winding skeleton moonphase calibre
- Strap: White lined rubber strap
- Clasp: Titanium deployant buckle clasp
Spirit of Big Bang Impact All Black
Celebrating 20 Years of Hublot All Black
The third release marks 20 years of Hublot’s All Black concept, first introduced in 2006.
Limited to 100 pieces, the watch uses polished and microblasted black ceramic to reinterpret the Impact motif in a monochromatic format. The engraved bezel and black-plated appliques create subtle contrast through texture and finishing rather than colour variation.
Compared to the sapphire editions, the All Black version offers a more understated interpretation of the collection while maintaining the same architectural design language.
Technical Specifications 
- Reference: 647.CX.0140.RX.IMP26
- Limited Edition: 100 pieces
- Case Material: Microblasted and polished black ceramic
- Case Size: 42mm
- Thickness: 14.60mm
- Water Resistance: 100m / 10 ATM
- Bezel: Black ceramic engraved with Impact motif
- Dial: Black-plated appliques and indexes
- Movement: HUB1770 self-winding skeleton moonphase calibre
- Strap: Black lined rubber strap
- Clasp: Black ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle clasp
Why the Spirit of Big Bang Impact Collection Matters
The Spirit of Big Bang Impact collection highlights Hublot’s continued investment in material innovation and advanced case engineering.
While sapphire cases have become increasingly prominent in high-end watchmaking over the last decade, integrating diamonds directly into sapphire remains highly complex due to the material’s hardness and machining requirements.
By combining sapphire machining, gem-setting and skeletonized architecture within a single platform, Hublot has introduced one of its most technically ambitious Spirit of Big Bang releases to date.
The collection also demonstrates how the Spirit of Big Bang case continues to serve as a foundation for experimentation with materials, finishing techniques and contemporary watch design.
For collectors interested in modern materials, transparent case construction and technically demanding gem-setting, the Spirit of Big Bang Impact represents an important new development in Hublot’s ongoing
