This limited edition of 100 pieces made from carbon fibre, like Alan Roura’s IMOCA, represents the fusion between the skipper, his racing craft, and the Hublot technology designed to optimise his performance.
This is a bold timepiece that goes back to Hublot’s maritime roots.Back in 2004, Hublot was a small independent brand when it first unveiled the Subaquaneus, its first technical watch designed for the sea: a timepiece from a maison whose connection to the ocean is reflected in its very name (Hublot is French for “porthole”).
Twenty years later, everything has changed. Hublot has become an integrated manufacture and one of the most disruptive brands on the market. While Research & Development is the driving force behind the brand’s watchmaking explorations, its love for the sea is as deep as ever, anchored even more firmly ever since Hublot has partnered with the Swiss professional sailor, Alan Roura.
Since 2022, the Swiss skipper has been sailing the seas, from the Route du Rhum and the Vendée Globe, to the Transat Jacques-Vabre and the Vendée-Arctique, with Hublot by his side. This intrepid sailor is ready to conquer the waves, sporting the very best in watchmaking technology on his wrist:
This exceptional timepiece is the new Big Bang Unico Sailing Team, produced as a limited edition of just 100 pieces. The timepiece is decked in the same black and yellow colours as Alan Roura’s IMOCA. This choice of colours is intentional, the black and yellow combination is a nod tothe black and gold that adorned the very first Hublot Classic Original of the 1980s. Combining yellow gold with a black rubber strap was a bold, unconventional move. The kind of daring that has built the Manufacture’s reputation for over 40 years.
Alan Roura is Swiss, Hublot is Swiss, the watch is Swiss Made: there is no doubt about their shared provenance. The Swiss origins of the sailor, his chronograph and his sponsor can be seen on his boat as well as on his watch: the same Swiss flag is embossed on the hull of the yacht and on the watch’s counter at 9 o’clock, bearing “SUI 7”, the sail number that identifies his IMOCA in ocean races.
Watchmaking and ocean racing are united by common values. They constantly strive to reach new heights: precision, robustness, design and performance. The Big Bang Hublot Sailing Team has all this and more. Like Alan Roura’s IMOCA, the timepiece wears a suit of polished carbon fibre armour, which incredibly robust and lightweight the choice of this material embodies the fusion between man and machine, between the skipper, his boat and his chronometer, essential for precision-timing his racing performance. Alan Roura’s Big Bang Unico Sailing Team captures the essence of the Hublot IMOCA with which he sails: a natural extension of his craft, worn on the wrist. The sailor, his watch and his racing craft become one.
With a diameter of 42 mm, this is a compact and sinewy creation. Its strap is made of fabric with an ultra- resistant black, one-piece polyurethane coating, the surface of which appears to be woven like a sail.
“HUBLOT” is features prominently across the strap, drawing its inspiration from the mainsail of the skipper’s IMOCA which sports this exact same name. Hublot’s logo – the brand’s stylistic signature, is like a flag flown at sea. The medium, the font, the colour and orientation are exactly the same on the watch as on the IMOCA, once again emphasising the total fusion between the two, and between the skipper and his sponsor. And the timepiece features a specially designed black ceramic folding clasp to anchor the chronometer to the wrist.
The heart of the piece features the very latest generation of the Unico Manufacture calibre, the HUB1280 self- winding chronograph. Boasting a power reserve of three days, 354 components and a rate of 4 Hz, it reveals its aesthetic signature – its iconic column wheel – at 6 o’clock, the design of which is reminiscent of the winches used by Alan Roura to trim his sails.
“This is the third year running that I’ve worked with Hublot. I’m impressed, as always, by their ability to constantly push their own limits. I have been sailing with a Big Bang Original since 2022, but this Unico Sailing Team is even lighter and more robust. In racing, everything comes down to precision and reliability. I need to be able to count on my equipment 200%. It’s the fusion of the skipper and his equipment that makes the difference.” ALAN ROURA, SKIPPER
Pride, joy and determination. These three emotions are in the hearts of Alan Roura and everyone at Hublot as they await the start of the tenth edition of the Vendée Globe in a few days’ time. Together, they are about to take on the world’s most extreme single-handed sporting challenge, and experience its addictive rhythm.
A date with the oceans awaits. At 13:02 on Sunday 10th November, Alan Roura will officially be setting off on his third consecutive Vendée Globe aboard the IMOCA Hublot, adding his name and that of the prestigious watch manufacture to the annals of Swiss sporting history!
“The emotion is as strong as ever, perhaps even stronger than it was four years ago, because the public is back and the popular support is even crazier than I remember”, explained the 31-year-old sailor a few days before the start, his collector’s carbon fibre “Big Bang Unico Sailing Team” watch on his wrist.
Over the last three weeks, some 2.5 million people have flocked to Les Sables d’Olonne to admire the spectacular boats and salute the solo sailors who are preparing to take on this incredible journey around the globe. This record turnout, four years on from the previous edition which had to be held without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is set to be repeated on Sunday for the legendary pass down the Les Sables d’Olonne channel!
“The only thing that counts is pushing your limits”
Almost 1000 days ago, the young Swiss sailor knocked on Hublot’s door to share his project and his desire to take on the “Everest of the Seas”. His fighting spirit, passion, daring and enthusiasm immediately won over the legendary manufacture.
“We don’t need to underscore the reasons behind our collaboration with Alan. Our maritime DNA is in our name: Hublot, meaning “porthole”. We are a manufacture born gazing out to the open ocean. Ocean racing technology is progressing as fast as our R&D. The recently launched Big Bang Unico Sailing Team represents the very best we have to offer for supporting ocean racing. For now, at least. Because for Hublot, as for Alan, the only thing that counts is pushing our limits”, says Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot.
This is a philosophy shared by the most experienced sailor of his generation, finisher of two Vendée Globe races, and holder of the North Atlantic record. “In Switzerland, we all have a certain idea of what constitutes performance, precision and commitment. I’m not someone to rest on my laurels. Taking too much for granted is a sure path to failure. I want to push the envelope even further; to surpass others, but above all to surpass my own limits”.
“A wonderful human adventure”
The time trial has officially begun for Alan Roura, who now has some 45,000 kilometres ahead of him. Leaving the legendary Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn in his wake, Alan Roura will have to dig deep to complete this extraordinary challenge, without assistance or stopovers, a feat only 200 sailors have managed since the event was created 35 years ago!
Along the way, the sailor will undoubtedly have to face many trials and tribulations, but Alan Roura knows he can count on the unfailing support of his partners in this 100% Swiss project, with the entire nation behind him, supporting their countryman. “My wish for this Vendée Globe is to be able to share my joy at being at sea with my team, my partners and all the Swiss people who are following me. Yes, there will be difficulties, ups and downs, twists of fate. That’s part of the game. But I want to concentrate on the positive, and show that the Vendée Globe is above all a fantastic human adventure!”
REFERENCE
441.QX.1149.NR.ARA24 Limited to 100 pieces
CASE
Shiny black carbon fibre
Diameter: 42 mm
Thickness: 14.5 mm
Water resistance: 10 ATM
CASE BACK
Shiny black carbon fibre
BEZEL
Shiny black carbon fibre
DIAL
Matt black
MOVEMENT
Movement HUB1280
UNICO Manufacture self-winding chronograph
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vib/h)
Power reserve (hours): 72
Number of components: 354
Jewels: 43
STRAP AND CLASP
Black fabric with Velcro® and black ceramic sport buckle
Additional black and yellow lined structured rubber strap
Black ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle clasp
A date with the oceans awaits. At 13:02 on Sunday 10th November, Alan Roura will officially be setting off on his third consecutive Vendée Globe aboard the IMOCA Hublot, adding his name and that of the prestigious watch manufacture to the annals of Swiss sporting history!
“The emotion is as strong as ever, perhaps even stronger than it was four years ago, because the public is back and the popular support is even crazier than I remember”, explained the 31-year-old sailor a few days before the start, his collector’s carbon fibre “Big Bang Unico Sailing Team” watch on his wrist.
Over the last three weeks, some 2.5 million people have flocked to Les Sables d’Olonne to admire the spectacular boats and salute the solo sailors who are preparing to take on this incredible journey around the globe. This record turnout, four years on from the previous edition which had to be held without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is set to be repeated on Sunday for the legendary pass down the Les Sables d’Olonne channel!
“The only thing that counts is pushing your limits”
Almost 1000 days ago, the young Swiss sailor knocked on Hublot’s door to share his project and his desire to take on the “Everest of the Seas”. His fighting spirit, passion, daring and enthusiasm immediately won over the legendary manufacture.
“We don’t need to underscore the reasons behind our collaboration with Alan. Our maritime DNA is in our name: Hublot, meaning “porthole”. We are a manufacture born gazing out to the open ocean. Ocean racing technology is progressing as fast as our R&D. The recently launched Big Bang Unico Sailing Team represents the very best we have to offer for supporting ocean racing. For now, at least. Because for Hublot, as for Alan, the only thing that counts is pushing our limits”, says Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot.
This is a philosophy shared by the most experienced sailor of his generation, finisher of two Vendée Globe races, and holder of the North Atlantic record. “In Switzerland, we all have a certain idea of what constitutes performance, precision and commitment. I’m not someone to rest on my laurels. Taking too much for granted is a sure path to failure. I want to push the envelope even further; to surpass others, but above all to surpass my own limits”.
“A wonderful human adventure”
The time trial has officially begun for Alan Roura, who now has some 45,000 kilometres ahead of him. Leaving the legendary Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn in his wake, Alan Roura will have to dig deep to complete this extraordinary challenge, without assistance or stopovers, a feat only 200 sailors have managed since the event was created 35 years ago!
Along the way, the sailor will undoubtedly have to face many trials and tribulations, but Alan Roura knows he can count on the unfailing support of his partners in this 100% Swiss project, with the entire nation behind him, supporting their countryman. “My wish for this Vendée Globe is to be able to share my joy at being at sea with my team, my partners and all the Swiss people who are following me. Yes, there will be difficulties, ups and downs, twists of fate. That’s part of the game. But I want to concentrate on the positive, and show that the Vendée Globe is above all a fantastic human adventure!”
HUBLOT
Hublot is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1980 and based in Nyon. For its first ever timepiece, this fundamentally disruptive company combined gold with a rubber strap in a case with a design inspired by a ship’s porthole (hublot in French). Thus, the Art of Fusion was born, blending tradition, innovation, craftsmanship, worlds and talents. It became the brand’s aesthetic and technical signature.
This identity was strengthened in 2005 with the Big Bang, which attested to an unrivalled know-how in terms of complications, manufacture movements and state-of-the-art materials. Carbon, titanium, ceramic and sapphire have been developed on this model to technical extremes.
This ground-breaking, high-quality approach to watchmaking is summed up in its philosophy ‘Be First, Unique and Different.’ It gradually led to other collections with innovative designs: Classic Fusion, Shaped Collection (Spirit of Big Bang, Square Bang) and Manufacture Pieces. These draw on high levels of craftsmanship, both in terms of the materials so dear to Hublot (such as Magic Gold, brightly-coloured ceramics and sapphires) and its manufacture movements (Unico chronograph, Meca-10 and large complications such as the Tourbillon, the Cathedral Minute Repeater and the specific Manufacture Pieces movements).
Hublot’s world extends to powerful partnerships including football. ‘Hublot Loves Football’ has become the slogan at the world’s biggest sporting events (such as the FIFA World CupTM, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA EUROTM) and through its ambassadors. This love of football continues in art, design, music, sport, fine dining and sailing. Lastly, Hublot’s implication in joint environmental projects with SORAI and Polar Pod reflects its concern for the issues of the day.
Over 140 boutiques around the world share Hublot’s fervour and values, alongside the Hublot.com e-commerce site.
BIG BANG UNICO SAILING TEAM
REFERENCE
CASE
CASE BACK
BEZEL
441.QX.1149.NR.ARA24
Limited to 100 pieces
Shiny black carbon fibre
Diameter: 42 mm
Thickness: 14.5 mm
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Shiny black carbon fibre
Shiny black carbon fibre
DIAL
MOVEMENT
STRAP AND CLASP
PRICE
Matt black
Movement HUB1280
UNICO Manufacture self-winding chronograph
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vib/h)
Power reserve (hours): 72
Number of components: 354
Jewels: 43
Black fabric with Velcro® and black ceramic sport buckle
Additional black and yellow lined structured rubber strap
Black ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle clasp
22,900.00 CHF
26,200.00 EUR
25,200.00 USD
21,600.00 GBP
A date with the oceans awaits. At 13:02 on Sunday 10th November, Alan Roura will officially be setting off on his third consecutive Vendée Globe aboard the IMOCA Hublot, adding his name and that of the prestigious watch manufacture to the annals of Swiss sporting history!
“The emotion is as strong as ever, perhaps even stronger than it was four years ago, because the public is back and the popular support is even crazier than I remember”, explained the 31-year-old sailor a few days before the start, his collector’s carbon fibre “Big Bang Unico Sailing Team” watch on his wrist.
Over the last three weeks, some 2.5 million people have flocked to Les Sables d’Olonne to admire the spectacular boats and salute the solo sailors who are preparing to take on this incredible journey around the globe. This record turnout, four years on from the previous edition which had to be held without spectators due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is set to be repeated on Sunday for the legendary pass down the Les Sables d’Olonne channel!
“The only thing that counts is pushing your limits”
Almost 1000 days ago, the young Swiss sailor knocked on Hublot’s door to share his project and his desire to take on the “Everest of the Seas”. His fighting spirit, passion, daring and enthusiasm immediately won over the legendary manufacture.
“We don’t need to underscore the reasons behind our collaboration with Alan. Our maritime DNA is in our name: Hublot, meaning “porthole”. We are a manufacture born gazing out to the open ocean. Ocean racing technology is progressing as fast as our R&D. The recently launched Big Bang Unico Sailing Team represents the very best we have to offer for supporting ocean racing. For now, at least. Because for Hublot, as for Alan, the only thing that counts is pushing our limits”, says Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot.
This is a philosophy shared by the most experienced sailor of his generation, finisher of two Vendée Globe races, and holder of the North Atlantic record. “In Switzerland, we all have a certain idea of what constitutes performance, precision and commitment. I’m not someone to rest on my laurels. Taking too much for granted is a sure path to failure. I want to push the envelope even further; to surpass others, but above all to surpass my own limits”.
“A wonderful human adventure”
The time trial has officially begun for Alan Roura, who now has some 45,000 kilometres ahead of him. Leaving the legendary Cape of Good Hope, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn in his wake, Alan Roura will have to dig deep to complete this extraordinary challenge, without assistance or stopovers, a feat only 200 sailors have managed since the event was created 35 years ago!
Along the way, the sailor will undoubtedly have to face many trials and tribulations, but Alan Roura knows he can count on the unfailing support of his partners in this 100% Swiss project, with the entire nation behind him, supporting their countryman. “My wish for this Vendée Globe is to be able to share my joy at being at sea with my team, my partners and all the Swiss people who are following me. Yes, there will be difficulties, ups and downs, twists of fate. That’s part of the game. But I want to concentrate on the positive, and show that the Vendée Globe is above all a fantastic human adventure!”
HUBLOT
Hublot is a Swiss watch manufacturer founded in 1980 and based in Nyon. For its first ever timepiece, this fundamentally disruptive company combined gold with a rubber strap in a case with a design inspired by a ship’s porthole (hublot in French). Thus, the Art of Fusion was born, blending tradition, innovation, craftsmanship, worlds and talents. It became the brand’s aesthetic and technical signature.
This identity was strengthened in 2005 with the Big Bang, which attested to an unrivalled know-how in terms of complications, manufacture movements and state-of-the-art materials. Carbon, titanium, ceramic and sapphire have been developed on this model to technical extremes.
This ground-breaking, high-quality approach to watchmaking is summed up in its philosophy ‘Be First, Unique and Different.’ It gradually led to other collections with innovative designs: Classic Fusion, Shaped Collection (Spirit of Big Bang, Square Bang) and Manufacture Pieces. These draw on high levels of craftsmanship, both in terms of the materials so dear to Hublot (such as Magic Gold, brightly-coloured ceramics and sapphires) and its manufacture movements (Unico chronograph, Meca-10 and large complications such as the Tourbillon, the Cathedral Minute Repeater and the specific Manufacture Pieces movements).
Hublot’s world extends to powerful partnerships including football. ‘Hublot Loves Football’ has become the slogan at the world’s biggest sporting events (such as the FIFA World CupTM, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA EUROTM) and through its ambassadors. This love of football continues in art, design, music, sport, fine dining and sailing. Lastly, Hublot’s implication in joint environmental projects with SORAI and Polar Pod reflects its concern for the issues of the day.
Over 140 boutiques around the world share Hublot’s fervour and values, alongside the Hublot.com e-commerce site.
BIG BANG UNICO SAILING TEAM
REFERENCE CASE CASE BACK BEZEL
441.QX.1149.NR.ARA24
Limited to 100 pieces
Shiny black carbon fibre
Diameter: 42 mm
Thickness: 14.5 mm
Water resistance: 10 ATM
Shiny black carbon fibre
Shiny black carbon fibre
DIAL MOVEMENT STRAP AND CLASP PRICE
Matt black
Movement HUB1280
UNICO Manufacture self-winding chronograph
Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vib/h)
Power reserve (hours): 72
Number of components: 354
Jewels: 43
Black fabric with Velcro® and black ceramic sport buckle
Additional black and yellow lined structured rubber strap
Black ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle clasp
22,900.00 CHF
26,200.00 EUR
25,200.00 USD
21,600.00 GBP
