HUBLOT Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu: Tattoo-etched sapphire

Posted on May 12, 2024 by Eyesontime

Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu. A high-tech creation incised into the transparency of sapphire.

Tattoo-etched sapphire, new boundaries pushed back.

After 8 years of collaboration between Hublot and Maxime Plescia-Buchi, we finally have a creation in sapphire. The three-dimensional geometry and the indelible features of Sang Bleu have been inked into Hublot’s high-tech material of choice. A geometric watch to be tattooed on your wrist, combining intensity and softness, strength and subtlety. Hublot has once again demonstrated its ability to combine craftsmanship and technology with this hyper-complex timepiece.

Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu

Since 2016, the Hublot x Sang Bleu collaboration has seen the celebrated typographer, tattooist, artist, and founder of Sang Bleu, Maxime Plescia-Buchi, set down his indelible and distinct features, and stamp his three-dimensional geometry with both relief and depth onto Hublot watches. From the Big Bang in 2016 to Spirit of Big Bang in 2023, 2024 is once again making its mark.

Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu Sapphire – A play on similarities and differences.

It has kept the Spirit of Big Bang, maintaining the 42 mm diameter and the soul of the barrel shape, while offering a different aesthetic finish. It is a watch that, even with its ultra-generous proportions and assertive shape, offers perfect ergonomics to suit all wrist sizes, both feminine and masculine. There’s no change onthe movement side, with the HUB4700, a skeletonised automatic chronograph with date at 4.30, 50-hour power reserve and its oscillating weight redesigned in the Sang Bleu style. The inspired design remains the same, a watch incised, chiselled, angled and faceted by Sang Bleu, revealing and overlaying hexagons, rhombuses and triangles redrawing forms and volumes, feature by feature. The playful relief and depth in Maxime’s features takes on a new dimension, as the sapphire reveals an entirely new personality.

Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu Sapphire – A contrasting softness of features incised into the hardness of the sapphire

The sapphire now extends from the dial – which already revealed the HUB4700 self-winding skeleton chronograph movement through the disc hands designed by Sang Bleu – to the case and the bezel, enhancing the watch’s organic design. The complexity of the design of the collection, plus the demanding geometry of Maxim Plescia-Buchi’s polygonal tattooing, meant that Hublot once again had to push back the boundaries of machining sapphire. Under the impact of the sapphire’s transparency, the purity of the Sang Bleu features, which remain sharp and methodical, expresses itself here in an ultra-light minimalist style, both visually and on the wrist. A fascinating and highly demanding material, whose total transparency required an absolutely perfect level of finish.

Thanks to 3D machining and over 100 hours of work, the Spirit of Big Bang Sapphire Sang Bleu is practically as hard and scratch resistant as a diamond (9 on the Mohs scale, compared to 10 for diamonds). The only remaining non-transparent elements are the crown, the push buttons, the screws on the case, the 6 H-shaped screws on the bezel, and the folding clasp, all cut out of titanium, and the components of the movement.

Produced in a run of 100 pieces; making this a collector’s edition!

“Beneath Maxime’s spatially redesigned features, it is like we achieve this duality every time, whereby the watch’s DNA is simultaneously identical and yet so very different. While the sapphire gives Maxim’s three-dimensional tattoos a new geometric aesthetic, it has also provided us with the opportunity to reconsider their technical production, to take on new challenges, to optimize our processes, and to overcome new constraints. Each model drives us to improve ourselves in a quest for both technical and aesthetic excellence. To machine sapphire into the demanding geometry of Sang Bleu’s polygonal tattooing meant that we once again had to push back our boundaries in the mastery of this iconic material. There is no longer any doubt that Hublot is the leader in making sapphire timepieces!” – RICARDO GUADALUPE, HUBLOT CEO

“2024 marks eight years of collaboration with Hublot, and three iterations: the first in 2016 with the Big Bang Sang Bleu; the second in 2019 with the Big Bang Sang Bleu II; and finally the Spirit of Big Bang in 2023. While every design is produced using a similar approach, transposing the principles of my tattooing across to Hublot’s specific watchmaking space, the result is different every time, as it is applied to a different base. In 2016, it was the Big Bang 3 Hands, in 2019, the Big Bang Chronograph and in 2023 the Spirit of Big Bang Chronograph. This time, in addition, we are transposing what the DNA itself has become, the fusion of Hublot and Sang Bleu, onto a Hublot signature material never before applied to our collaboration: sapphire. This is a highlight for this collaboration because sapphire is, in itself, the most noble material used in the watchmaking industry, while it simultaneously bestows something ghost-like and
futuristic, virtually architectural, onto the pieces. This corresponds exactly to what I seek to produce in all my projects.” -MAXIME PLESCIA- BUCHI, FOUNDER OF SANG BLEU, HUBLOT AMBASSADOR

SPIRIT OF BIG BANG SANG BLEU SAPPHIRE

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

REFERENCE: 648.JX.0102.RT.MXM24

SIZE: 42 mm

CASE: Polished Sapphire Crystal

BEZEL: Polished Sapphire Crystal

WATER RESISTANCE: 50m or 5 ATM

CRYSTAL: Sapphire with Anti-reflective Treatment

DIAL: Sapphire Crystal Dial

MOVEMENT: HUB4700 Self-winding Skeleton Chronograph Movement

POWER RESERVE: 50 Hours

STRAP: White Transparent Smooth Rubber Straps

CLASP: Titanium Deployant Buckle Clasp

HUBLOT’s Innovations at LVMH WATCH WEEK 2024: A Tour of Masterful Timepieces and Artistic Collaborations

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Eyesontime

Hublot’s continued dedication to crafting timepieces that transcend the ordinary embodies the brand’s ‘Be First, Unique, and Different philosophy.’ Let us delve into the realm of horological excellence and artistic innovation as Hublot unveils a tapestry of masterful timepieces and captivating collaborations.

MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System

The Manufacture’s tenth MP revisits the fundamentals of watchmaking: no dial, hands or oscillating weight, instead a roller display, a circular power reserve and an inclined tourbillon automatic winding by two linear weights. The announcement of a new Manufacture Piece (MP) is always eagerly awaited at Hublot. This MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System Titanium will be no exception. The piece is immediately arresting. With its rounded angles, sleek design and sapphire crystal of an unparalleled complexity, it houses a movement which is no less sophisticated. A fusion of form and substance. The mechanical and aesthetic power are inseparable – one of the key concepts guiding the MP collections. And at the point where they intersect, the Manufacture offers a bold reinvention of the classic watchmaking complications. These are avant-garde pieces which are resolutely disruptive in their movement, display and complications. But they are neither concepts nor exercises in style. Like all the other MPs, the MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System Titanium is a complete, accomplished and practical watch that will soon adorn the wrists of a select few collectors.

Big Bang Unico Saxem Green

Hublot unveils the second shade of its revolutionary material, SAXEM. Closely allied to sapphire, SAXEM is equally resistant, yet offers even more luminosity. With cousins, you can tell they come from the same family but they do have distinctive differences. The same can be said for sapphire and SAXEM, their connection is clear as they come from the same Hublot lineage. The Manufacture in Nyon is credited with bringing them both into the 21st century, to the point of establishing them as hallmark materials. Even so, their profiles are quite distinct. Sapphire is made of aluminium oxide, to which metallic oxides are added to provide colour. In contrast, SAXEM is coloured with rare earth elements. Sapphire has a trigonal (three-sided) structure, while SAXEM has a cubic (four-sided) form. Chemical details? Maybe, but ever since Hublot established itself as an integrated Manufacture, R&D has been the key focus of its operations. This was true when the Nyon Manufacture was inaugurated in 2009, and, 15 years later, remains so today. The new Big Bang Unico Green SAXEM is further proof

Spirit of Big Bang 32mm Jewellery

Watchmaking and jewellery collide to create an enchanting match . Master gemsetters have worked their magic on these six 32-mm cases, enveloping them in light or transforming them into rainbows. These pieces are crafted in King Gold – the Manufacture’s 18K gold alloy, warmer than 5N gold – or stainless steel. Hublot has channelled its avant-garde and unconventional approach to create these stunning variations with a feminine touch. With these fully-set Spirit of Big Bang Jewellery pieces, draped in their precious finery, time becomes incandescent. The slim design embodies a feminine spirit which enhances the brilliance of its setting. The character of the Big Bang is fused with the sophistication of the gemstones, transforming the Spirit of Big Bang into a sparkling piece of jewellery. The Spirit of Big Bang combines the Big Bang design and the brand’s unique expertise in a tonneau-shaped watch. The piece features six H-shaped titanium screws, the self-winding proprietary movement, the unique “sandwich” case construction which enables an unlimited number of combinations and materials, and comfortable interchangeable straps featuring a deployant buckle. These endless possibilities truly celebrate the art of fusion.

Classic Fusion Tourbillon Orlinski Ceramic

Pop colours, an edgy design, outstanding mechanics, a skeleton tourbillon and a five-day power reserve: Hublot’s new collaboration with the artist is all about fusion, without compromise. From the Classic Fusion Tourbillon Orlinski to his sculptures, Orlinski’s pieces never go unnoticed. The watch emerges from a work of art. Or perhaps it’s the other way around? Hublot’s ‘Art of Fusion’ has never been more exquisitely expressed than through the brand’s collaboration with Richard Orlinski. The world’s best-selling French artist and the most innovative watchmaker of the last 20 years were destined for one another.The first is radiantly sunny, with its case, strap, bezel, hands and index all dressed in yellow. Its ‘beating heart’ is still the manually wound HUB6021. This movement is a favourite among brand connoisseurs. Its components, such as the crown and the six H-shaped screws around the bezel, appear suspended in space by black PVD skeleton bridges. Between 8 and 9 o’clock, the power reserve indicates the five-day capacity. At 6 o’clock, the tourbillon keeps the time ticking on. Plus, thanks to sapphire crystal faces on the front and back, the Classic Fusion Tourbillon Orlinski always catches the light.

Other Novelties

Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Purple Sapphire

Square Bang Unico King Gold Blue Ceramic, Square Bang Unico Titanium Blue Ceramic,

Square Bang Unico Titanium Blue, Square Bang Unico King Gold Blue, Square Bang Unico Blue Ceramic

Big Bang Integrated Time Only Ceramic in Indigo Blue and Sky Blue

Hublot continues redefining watchmaking’s boundaries, seamlessly blending artistry, mechanics, and unparalleled craftsmanship, creating watches that tell time and stories of audacious creativity and boundless imagination.

Time in Full Bloom: Hublot and Takashi Murakami’s Latest Creative Symphony

Posted on November 29, 2023 by Eyesontime

Hublot’s philosophy revolves around being first, unique and different. The brand, renowned for its audacious and groundbreaking approach to watchmaking, chose a distinctive path by unveiling its inaugural central tourbillon within a timepiece shaped like a flower. This avant-garde brand collaborated again with the iconic artist Takashi Murakami, resulting in the Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire, a limited edition masterpiece limited to 50 pieces. This release epitomizes the fusion of horology and artistry.In 2021, Hublot began its partnership with Takashi Murakami, debuting the all-black Classic Fusion. The unveiling of an all-sapphire Rainbow model succeeded this introduction. The subsequent year witnessed the launch of thirteen collaborative timepieces, commencing with the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow. Each watch delved into the artist’s “Smiling Flower” motif, expressing it with distinctive intricacy and artistry.In this exuberant creation, the unmistakable Smiling Flower motif, Murakami’s signature, is meticulously rendered in transparent sapphire. The transparent medium transforms the watch into a jubilant work of art, seamlessly integrating case and movement manufacturing. Notably, this collaboration began in 2021 with the all-black Classic Fusion, followed by the all-sapphire Rainbow model. The MP-15 Tourbillon Sapphire takes Murakami’s motif to new heights, bringing it into the realm of wearable art.

Crafted within a surprisingly compact 42mm wide case resembling 12 petals, the MP-15 is a luminous marvel when illuminated. The sapphire case is not merely ornamental; it houses Hublot’s first central HUB9015 Manual-Winding Tourbillon. The flying central tourbillon, devoid of an upper bridge, features the artist’s Smiling Flower image, subtly reinforcing the thematic element without overwhelming the design.Remarkably, the hour and minute hands, positioned peripherally, traverse beneath the tourbillon cage, resting on the same level as the escapement. This ingenious construction, utilizing Hublot’s co-axial design, necessitated repositioning the cannon pinion and hour wheel around the tourbillon. Far from a mere gimmick, the MP-15 boasts the manual-wind HUB9015 movement, comprising 236 parts, operating at 3 Hz, and offering an impressive 150-hour power reserve.

Beyond its technical prowess, the watch introduces an extravagant winding system. A special stylus, rechargeable via USB, completes 100 revolutions to wind the movement fully.

Priced at CHF 300,000, the Hublot MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Sapphire is not only an expensive and elaborate timepiece but, for aficionados, an exhilarating embodiment of Hublot’s unapologetically bold and divisive design ethos. Limited to 50 pieces, its exclusivity adds an extra layer of allure, making it a daring yet ambitious statement within the niche realm of artistic horology.

REFERENCE

915.JX.4802.RT

SIZE

42 mm

CASE

Polished Sapphire Crystal

BEZEL

Polished Sapphire Crystal

WATER RESISTANCE

30m or 3 ATM

CRYSTAL

Sapphire with Anti-reflective Treatment

DIAL

Polished Transparent Composite Resin

MOVEMENT

HUB9015 Manual-Winding Tourbillon

POWER RESERVE

150 Hours

STRAP

Transparent Decorated Rubber

CLASP

Sapphire Crystal and Titanium Deployant Buckle

HUBLOT BIG BANG TOURBILLON SR_A BY SAMUEL ROSS

Posted on October 25, 2023 by Eyesontime

Art, creativity, design, a never-ending story of renewal. An organic and cyclical process in which Ross, the radically distinct, generational artist, continues to grow his own creations. Like living materials, Dr. Samuel Ross’s creativity and thoughts are constantly shaping, reshaping, improving, imagining and reimagining things. For his next development on the Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A by Samuel Ross, Ross has brought subtle yet insightful details. Precision, clarity and choice are integrated through SR_A’s signature industrial language.

Constantly pushing new boundaries in terms of materials, fusion and aesthetics, Hublot has been loving Art for more than 10 years, working closely with daring, unconventional artists and designers to envision watches from new creative angles. The collaboration between Hublot and Ross began in 2020, in a three-year engineering process leading to an entirely new development, from case to crown, to dial, strap and bezel: the Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A by Samuel Ross. Just as with living materials, Ross’s creativity is constantly shaping, reshaping, improving his own thoughts, building on his first watch design to turn the watch case into a gray monochrome outfit to be worn on of the three rubber straps ranging from vivid green to black or white. A new iteration to which he has brought some subtle yet insightfully rethought details.

So, what’s new?

To assert its industrial look, Ross has opted to attire all the watch case components in shiny micro-blasted titanium, extending this to the clasp which also features a rough laser engraving of the Hublot logo. To enhance the overall gray monochrome look, the crown is overmolded in gray rubber, while the tourbillon bridge now appears in a neutral shade enabling the watch to be easily paired with one of the three smooth full rubber straps in black, white or the pop vibes of vivid green.

We are focused on crafting refined, minimal and expressive timepieces. SR_A, looks to expand, re-define and establish timeless icons of design, reflecting a spirit of innovation, optimism and craft. I firmly believe we need all three properties to usher in the next chapter of luxury. – Dr. SAMUEL ROSS Artist and Designer

From sculpture to wearable wrist sculpture

Applying Samuel Ross’s artistic language to Hublot watchmaking is exactly how he envisioned the sculpture that marked the start of his creative collaboration with Hublot in 2020 : encapsulating materials in aerodynamic, simple and striking shapes incorporating imprints of Nature’s sacred geometry to tell 40 years of Hublot history. Building on the perfect hexagonal pattern, Ross knows how to contrast hyper-technical with traditional elements to ensure a perfect fit with Hublot’s Art of Fusion vision. Just as in the sculpture he created for Hublot, Ross takes on the Big Bang tourbillon by playing on transparency with holes in the structure, as well as referencing the origins of Fusion by mixing rubber with manufactured metal. By juxtaposing contrasting materials, he has created a balance between the organic and the industrial, forged through innovation.

What defines the true nature of a collaboration between an artist and a brand? It is bringing together the best of two worlds while deeply respecting and building on the true nature of two visions. The Big Bang Tourbillon Samuel Ross, launched in 2022, has ticked all the boxes of a successful and genuine collaboration, yet one in which Ross had left a powerful imprint through his aesthetic, functional and purposeful take on our watch, remaining true to who we are while shedding light from a different angle. His new iteration represents the next steps of a never-ending story demonstrating how creativity and engineering must never be taken for granted in consistently pushing existing boundaries to enhance our own creations. – RICARDO GUADALUPE HUBLOT CEO

Mingling sacred and industrial, organic and synthetic influences

With the hexagonal honeycomb shape and its perfect six equal sides, Ross has chosen the dominant governing pattern in the natural world recalling the functionality of a watch. Exactly like every single object he has designed, the watch is conceived as a durable, ergonomic and incredibly lightweight object – in this case made to be wristworn. Transposing this sacred geometry of Nature into the watch, Ross envisioned titanium plates to be polished, brushed, hammered and perforated in order to create a lean and imposing silhouette inducing a sense of motion.

The Big Bang Tourbillon SR_A by Samuel Ross is driven by the accuracy and technical design of the 282-component Manufacture HUB6035 caliber beating at 3 Hz during its 72-hour power reserve. Just as the first release, this new iteration is produced in a 50-piece limited edition.

Ross’s story to date

Artist and Designer Samuel Ross has defined his perspective through the arts; painting, sculpture, furniture, industrial design and fashion in particular.

Through founding both companies A-Cold-Wall*, since 2015, and SR_A since 2019 Dr. Ross has pioneered a signature design language that has translated to immersive, radical collaborations, developing and establishing a global cult audience, through multi-year design partnerships with Beats, Nike, Timberland, Converse Dr. Martens, Mackintosh, RideCake, Absolut, Acqua Di Parma and Hublot.

Developing a new millennial perspective in luxury goods, through his latest and most refined brand SR_A , founded in the same year he was awarded the Hublot Design Prize, has naturally occurred.

This polymathic creative force was named on the Forbes “30 under 30 Europe” list in 2020, has won numerous distinctions including GQ Fashion Awards and British Fashion Awards, received the Hublot Design Prize in 2019 as well as been a finalist for both the LVMH Prize and the ANDAM Award. Alongside his creative collaboration with Hublot, he has made a lasting imprint through his take on brands including Dr Marten’s, Mercedes-Benz, Nike, and Oakley. His designs have been worn by celebrities like Lewis Hamilton, Idris Elba, Daniel Kaluuya, Lebron James, Jay Z, Swizz Beats, Nick Jonas, Sophie Turner, BTS, Central Cee. As an active artist, Ross has been exhibiting in various museums around the world (Victoria & Albert Museum, London, UK., National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Design Museum, London, UK, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas, TX, Denver Art Museum, Denver, CO, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, TX) as well as galleries with solo exhibitions (White Cube, Friedman Benda, Design Miami).

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 130 boutiques around the world share Hublot’s fervour and values, alongside the Hublot.com e-commerce site.

HUBLOT – A FUSION OF JEWELLER’S DESIGN AND CRAFTSMANSHIP

Posted on October 19, 2023 by Eyesontime

Hublot combines iconic design and craftsmanship with its Classic Fusion High Jewellery 2023 watch, a stunning piece of high jewellery with 431 dazzling baguette-cut diamonds.

The latest addition to Hublot’s High Jewellery collection of watches is a Classic Fusion High Jewellery 42 mm in white gold set with baguette-cut diamonds. It fits effortlessly into the brand’s High Jewellery collection alongside other iconic models such as the Big Bang, the Spirit of Big Bang and the Square Bang Unico, adorned with white gold, diamonds and even rainbow-coloured gemstones. The Classic Fusion High Jewellery 42mm combines iconic design with the most remarkable gem-setting techniques. This Classic Fusion, embellished with baguette-cut diamonds and enhanced with sleek lines of white gold, has become a true Hublot icon. An exceptional accolade for a timeless watch.

The highest form of sophistication is simplicity, so Hublot has chosen to go back to basics and to the very shape that epitomised its creation in 1980. The result is now one that offers an acclaimed expression of high jewellery, accentuating the timeless purity of the Classic Fusion model. What a stunning piece! Master gem-setters have brought this new Classic Fusion High Jewellery 2023 to life with no fewer than 431 baguette-cut diamonds—around 14.6 carats in total. These gemstones adorn the watch’s case, bezel, dial and clasp. On the dial alone, it took 120 hours of painstaking, meticulous work to set the 241 baguette-cut diamonds. That’s almost three weeks of full-time work! Then came the task of setting the 60 additional diamonds around the bezel.

The 42-mm case is set with 94 baguette-cut diamonds and contains the HUB1710 calibre, which is visible from the back of the watch through the sapphire glass. The self-winding movement oscillates at a frequency of 4 Hz (or 28,800 alterations per hour), offering a power reserve of no fewer than 50 hours.

Of course, watchmaking of this quality must be perfect in every detail: even the black rubber-lined alligator strap features a deployant buckle adorned with 36 baguette-cut diamonds.

All in all, it takes over 200 hours to set all the 431 diamonds that grace this exceptional piece of high jewellery, the perfect fusion of watchmaking excellence and jewellery artisanship.

“This wonderfully radiant piece celebrates and icon of the maison. The jeweller’s artistic creativity and our watchmaking expertise intertwine to create a work of art that is both a watch and a jewel!” – RICARDO GUADALUPE, HUBLOT CEO

CLASSIC FUSION HIGH JEWELLERY 42MM

REFERENCE	CASE	CASEBACK	BEZEL
543.WX.9004.LR.9904	Polished 18K White Gold set with 94 baguette-cut white diamonds Diameter: 42 mm Thickness: 10.5 mm Water resistance: 3 ATM / 30 M	White Gold	Polished 18K White Gold set with 60 baguette-cut white diamonds
DIAL	MOVEMENT	STRAP AND CLASP	PRICE
Polished 18K White Gold set with 241 baguette-cut white diamonds	HUB1710 Self-winding movement Frequency: 4 (28’800 A/H) Power reserve (hours): 50 Number of components : 166 Jewels : 27	Black Alligator and Black Rubber Polished 18K White Gold set with 36 baguette-cut white diamonds and Black-plated Titanium deployant Buckle Clasp	330’000.00 CHF 363’000.00 EUR 348’000.00 USD 300’000.00 GBP

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 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, Spirit of Big Bang, Shaped Collection (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).

MP-15 TAKASHI MURAKAMI TOURBILLON ONLY WATCH A UNIQUE PIECE AND HUBLOT’S FIRST CENTRAL FLYING TOURBILLON

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Eyesontime

A UNIQUE PIECE AND HUBLOT’S FIRST CENTRAL FLYING TOURBILLON

“Only Watch was created in 2005 and our manufacture was founded just four years later, in 2009. We are both of the same generation. We have grown very quickly and have pushed the boundaries in our respective fields: Hublot in High Watchmaking and Only Watch in philanthropy. Whenever Only Watch founder Luc Pettavino needs us, we will be there. Hublot has never shirked its moral and social obligations, nor will it ever do so.”

Ricardo Guadalupe HUBLOT CEO

The central tourbillon could be interpreted as Hublot’s intention to put Haute Horlogerie back in the spotlight. Or, its round case might be seen to resemble a child’s drawing of a 12-petalled daisy, tipped with green as a sign of hope. Either way,the strength of the MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Only Watch lies in the fact that everyone will see it as symbolic of what they value. It will blossom around as many values as there are colours, whether these are high-tech, exquisite, playful, unique, hypnotic… Haute Horlogerie meets Haute Joaillerie on this highly creative timepiece inspired by Takashi Murakami’s iconic smiling flower.

Floral composition is central to the work of Takashi Murakami. This Japanese artist has risen from humble origins to become one of the most sought-after artists in the world, and he has been a Friend of Hublot since 2020. These co-creations have always been produced in limited-edition series. This timepiece is even more limited – it is truly unique. Unique in its nature (only one piece has been created), but also in its construction. What sets the MP-15 apart from any other piece that the manufacture has ever created in its forty-plus years of experience, is its central tourbillon.

Hublot’s first central tourbillon

This central tourbillon represents the fusion of art and horological design. An idea that is echoed by Hublot’s dedication to Haute Horlogerie and by the world of Takashi Murakami. The idea is certainly to have Haute Horlogerie take centre stage physically, but not only that. The idea is also to show that the tourbillon – the beating heart of the watch – represents the heart of the person who buys it at the auction in aid of research against Duchenne’s disease, and also the hearts of those children fighting the disease.

Imagining this piece, Takashi Murakami explicitly requested the inclusion of a central tourbillon. A challenge in and of itself, this would become Hublot’s very first central tourbillon. This was a difficult challenge because, it becomes very complicated to indicate the hours and minutes which compete for the same central position. By accepting Takashi Murakami’s challenge, Hublot would have to make the right choices in order to integrate the aesthetic components of the central tourbillon to the technical requirements.

In this design, the cannon pinion and the hour wheel had to be pivoted around the tourbillon support by creating a co-axial construction. This was made possible thanks to the central flying tourbillon that is seemingly suspended in mid-air with two hands passing under its cage to indicate the hours and minutes. These hands gravitate towards 12 luminescent indices that echo the colours of the 2023 edition of the Hublot for Only Watch, as well as keeping the exact proportions required by the design so dear to Murakami, and which Hublot R&D had to follow to the letter.

Thanks to its two barrels, the manual movement offers a 150-hour power reserve (almost a whole week) – a very rare feature for such a construction. Mounted in series but on a single plane, these generously proportioned barrels can be admired through the case back which is made entirely from sapphire.

Superflat Floral Poetry

From the tourbillon and the indices to the petals, fans of Takashi Murakami’s colourful poetry will follow his rhythm on this MP-15, from the interior to the exterior, where 12 petals richly set with 444 gemstones give the piece a bright, joyful aesthetic. Like a real flower, these petals are angled towards the centre of the movement. The clear and bold demarcations of colour are representative of the 2023 Only Watch. The idea was not to offer a traditional rainbow gradient effect, but rather to play with the brightness of the shades and the brilliance of the gemstones, like a child playing with their crayons, creating a bright piece of Superflat Art for the wrist.

But that is not all: true to Murakami’s universe, under its domed sapphire crystal this MP-15 Only Watch reveals a fine laser engraving depicting a broad smile, complete with two smiling eyes. This colourful piece offers an escape into Takashi Murakami’s lively imagination, and the watch’s bright energy is an ode to the incredible power of a child’s wonder and their endless curiosity.

Collector’s item: unique calligraphy created by Takashi Murakami’s own hand

With its MP-15, Takashi Murakami has created the ultimate gift for anyone purchasing it. And who better to explain it than Takashi Murakami himself? “I decided to pick up calligraphy again. My mother used to love it and I took many classes in this art from the age of five to seventeen. I progressed to a very high level, attaining the 7th dan, which is equivalent to assistant instructor. When I went to art school, my calligraphy practice became more sporadic. But my mother brought it up whenever I spoke to her! So, I decided to return to it, working directly on my used coffee filter paper, which is a very good base for the ink. This enabled me to create unique calligraphy, “Time of Rainbow”, inspired by the unique watch I have designed with Hublot for Only Watch 2023.”

REFERENCE: MP-15 Takashi Murakami Tourbillon Only Watch 915.JX.4802.RT.1198.OWM2 3

CASE: Polished sapphire crystal Polished titanium screws Diameter: 42 mm Thickness: 13.4 mm Water-resistant: 30 m

CASE BACK: Polished sapphire crystal

BEZEL: Polished stainless steel set with 444 coloured gemstones

DIAL: Black-plated appliques with Colored SuperLuminova

MOVEMENT: HUB9015 Manual winding central tourbillon. Frequency (Hz): 3 (21,600 Vib/h) Power reserve: Approx. 150 hours Number of components: 236 Jewels: 25

STRAP AND BUCKLE: Transparent decorated rubber with Takashi Murakami flower motif. Sapphire crystal and titanium deployant buckle

The spirit of HUBLOT; the embodiment of Sang Bleu.

Posted on April 26, 2023 by Eyesontime

For the 7th year and third collaboration with Hublot, Maxime Plescia-Buchi is channelling the Spirit of Big Bang through the Sang Bleu prism. Just as his tattoos create new identity, revealing new shapes and new perspectives, the celebrated typographer, tattooist, artist and founder of Sang Bleu injects a new spirit into the Spirit of Big Bang collection. The Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu stays true to the series’ characteristics while remaining highly distinctive. With a faceted, structured 42 mm diameter, this watch has an enhanced three-dimensional and ergonomically-enhanced design. There are three limited editions to adorn your wrist – 200 units in titanium, 200 in All Black ceramic and 100 in King Gold. In addition, two models are set with 180 diamonds in titanium and King Gold.

Launched in 2014, the Spirit of Big Bang retained all of the Big Bang’s original features in a barrel-shaped case. A reinterpretation of Hublot’s DNA, simultaneously identical yet so different. For this third collaboration, Maxime has infused it with a new spirit without changing its soul, introducing the Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu. He achieves this same transformation, injecting the concepts of the Big Bang Sang Bleu I & II, by redefining the lines of the Spirit of Big Bang. Without losing what makes our barrel watch so distinctive, he gives it a new identity, a spatial redesign and a more architectural dimension, revealed by the Sang Bleu geometry and symmetry. A fusion that exceeds perfection. The symbol of a collaboration that highlights the best features and unique potential of each design. In our watches and in our collaborations, one philosophy underscores the vision of everything we do: to adapt to the container while always focusing on the quality of the content. – RICARDO GUADALUPE, HUBLOT CEO

Identical or different? Both… But always unique!

Ensuring consistency while remaining innovative. Keeping the spirit while creating a unique, exclusive and distinctive object. This is the subtlety of the art behind the Hublot and Maxime Plescia-Buchi collaboration. The talented tattoo artist has reimagined the strokes of the Spirit of Big Bang with stretched, elongated bevelled features and measured, perfectly proportioned angles that fit together to create a timepiece where the Sang Bleu signature is instantly recognisable. Like each of his tattoos, the line adapts to the case, to its distinctive characteristics, reliefs, curves, and texture, while retaining what is essential: its spirit. This is the same philosophy that inspired the Spirit of Big Bang.

Hublot x Sang Bleu: Seven years of artistic and creative collaboration

First introduced in the 2016 Hublot – Sang Bleu series, 2023 saw the third edition unveiled at the Salone del Mobile in Milan. The tattoo artist has stamped his indelible, distinctive, and assertive line on a new collection. After the Big Bang, his signature now adorns the Spirit of Big Bang. As usual, he traces his three-dimensional geometry in perfect symmetry with a mysteriously magnetic architecture, playing with relief and depth through polished, satin finished, engraved, chiselled, bevelled and faceted materials. Hexagons, diamonds and triangles appear and overlap, redefining shapes and volumes line by line.

My collaboration with Hublot is like constructing a house, an architectural project in itself. The Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu is the third wall of this shared structure. It signifies a landmark, as the house we are building now stands firmly and coherently in its own right. After having made my mark on the Big Bang, my creative process has taken on a new form. This is the new collection, and the barrel shape of the Spirit of Big Bang. I have been able to question and review each component, from the case to the crystal, the bracelet to the clasp, considering each shape and proportion through a holistic reflection. The aim is to incorporate the DNA of the Big Bang Sang Bleu II into the Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu. The result is a similar geometric aesthetic with a new interpretation of shapes and volumes. This creation is guided by perfectly proportioned shapes that interact and overlap to create a unique, distinctive design while enhancing the ergonomics for the wearer. – MAXIME PLESCIA-BUCHI, SANG BLEU FOUNDER, HUBLOT AMBASSADOR

The result: The Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu

A 42 mm-diameter case, crafted in a choice of three materials: Titanium (200 units), All Black ceramic (200 units) or King Gold (100 units), as well as two models set with 180 diamonds weighing approximately 2.4 carats, in titanium and King Gold. Geometric tattoos alternate and overlap from the case to the bezel. A sapphire dial displays the HUB4700 automatic skeleton chronograph movement through disc hands bearing the characteristic geometry of timepieces made in collaboration with Sang Bleu. A watch that, even with its ultra-generous proportions and prominent shape, offers a perfect ergonomic fit across all wrist sizes, for both men and women, with or without a bezel. The geometry of the Big Bang Sang Bleu II has been retained while also optimising the dynamic nature of the barrel shape. In terms of design, to ensure that the watch perfectly fits the curves of the wrist and is flush with the body, the back of the case and the sapphire crystal have been arched at several points. In terms of dial legibility, the structure of the hands has been enhanced and the hour and minute markers have been refined. By transposing his line onto a different volume, the barrel shape of the Spirit of Big Bang, Maxime has given new perspective to each component, shape and proportion. It is these details that give the Spirit of Big Bang a new dimension, just as Hublot gave a new spirit to the Big Bang codes by unveiling the Spirit of Big Bang in its barrel shape back in 2014.

Hublot – Sang Bleu – Trilogy

Hublot & Maxime Plescia-Buchi have art in their blood and are “inking” the art of tattooing into watchmaking. In 2016, the first Big Bang Sang Bleu saw the three-dimensional geometry of the famous tattoo artist imprinted on its design, revealing a perfectly proportioned structure inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. This quest for perfection and the use of symbols is the hallmark of all of Sang Bleu’s creative work. In 2019, with the Sang Bleu II, the tattoo artist x watchmaker collaboration was expressed as a “full body” tattoo across the entire Big Bang model, including the case, the hexagonal bezel, the sapphire crystal, the hands, and the bracelet. A three-dimensional style that has been entirely revamped in 2023 to embody a new “tattooed” collection – the Spirit of Big Bang. In perfect fusion with the way Hublot launched the Spirit of Big Bang in 2014, incorporating Hublot’s DNA and the distinctive codes of the Big Bang (its 6 H-shaped titanium screws running through the watch bezel, sandwich construction with endless combinations of materials and colours, signature lugs on each side of the case, and a screwed crown over moulded with rubber), Maxime has revisited each component of the Spirit of Big Bang.

Day 2 at Watches and Wonders 2023

Posted on March 28, 2023 by Eyesontime

If you have recovered from yesterday’s exhilarating trip, be ready to be spun around some more because the show keeps getting surreal.

Without much ado, we shall begin our discovery of the exquisite novelties that await us.

BEAUREGARD – Dahlia White Gold – Fire Opal

The Maison’s founding collection Dahlia was unveiled in 2018 to immediate international recognition. The collection was selected for the Grand Prix de l’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) alongside international powerhouse brands. This poetic floral creation with its Haute Joaillerie dial, animated by a central flying tourbillon and set with 600 flawless diamonds, is presented this year with a dial handmade in vibrant Fire opal. Sourced in the Mexican village of Magdalena, the world center for the 5 mines producing this fascinating gem, this flawless selection of rough stones is worked in a Montreal workshop to the highest standards of craftsmanship.

A delicate-looking yet sturdy timepiece on a lovely wrist has a calming effect on time.

CHOPARD – Alpine Eagle 41 XPS

Alpine Eagle extends its range with an ultra-thin model featuring a small seconds indication. The L.U.C 96.40-L movement measures 3.30mm only, enabling the Alpine Eagle 41 XPS to beat with chronometer-certified accuracy. Optimal proportions and a textured “Monte Rosa Pink” dial endow this model with undeniable elegance and distinction, while its finishes have earned it Poinçon de Genève recognition.

This one is sure to charm you and make you look at the world with Rosa tinted glasses.

FERDINAND BERTHOUD – FB 3SPC.1

The Chronomètre FB 3SPC.1, one of the two versions, is equipped with an 18-carat white gold case, 2N pale yellow gold movement components and an eggshell-coloured dial in sandblasted silver-toned brass.

Golden dreams are made of these.

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT – Classic Tourbillon Manufacture

Honouring the watchmaking traditions, the Classic Tourbillon is manufactured in gold in a limited quantity of 150 individually numbered watches. The tourbillon was first unveiled in 2008, 15 years ago, with a comma-shaped aperture in 2023, the comma has become a full circle.

The elegance of this timepiece is not to be missed.

HUBLOT – MP-13 TOURBILLON BI-AXIS RETROGRADE

Hublot is known for its disruptive, creative and technical Haute Horlogerie. Now writing a new chapter in the MP story with masterpieces that are collectors’ dreams. The new MP-13 is a unique 100% Hublot Manufacture complication with a double-axis Tourbillon and Dual Retrograde Display from the watchmaking of tomorrow.

Wrap your head and time around this one because this is one complicated yet beautiful timepiece.

HUBLOT –Square Bang Sapphire

Hublot unveils its interpretation of the square watch, a new geometry for the watchmaker. Inspired by the Maison’s iconic Big Bang, this Square Bang Unico adds a new pillar: ‘The Shaped Collection’ to sit alongside the Spirit of Big Bang.

A show-stopper is an apt word for this one. If the world were square, it would probably just fit in fine in this one. The transparent sapphire case makes this the watch to have.

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN – Ingenieur Automatic 40 Black

During the 70s, Gerald Genta created the Ingenieur SL, Reference 1832. Today’s Ingenieur Automatic 40 embodies his vision of bringing a stainless steel sporty watch with an integrated bracelet. While meeting the highest standards set for technology, ergonomics and finish, the watch also shows off daring aesthetics.

The black ‘grid’ will seamlessly intersect and network into your multiple parallel universes, real or imaginary.

LAURENT FERRIER – Square Micro-Rotor Evergreen

Always committed to creating timeless yet modern pieces that are functional yet can sway you with their aesthetic power, Laurent Ferrier now brings forth watches that are an eclectic mix of sophistication and elegance, the Square Micro-Rotor Evergreen and the Classic Micro-Rotor Evergreen.

Simplicity has immense power, check this watch out if you do not believe me.

ROLEX – New Cosmograph Daytona

Rolex has launched new age Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona updating its range. The case design is singular in nature and features its characteristic chronograph with refined details.

This model has the most unique colour combinations and this being Rolex it wears its crown high.

HUBLOT AND TAKASHI MURAKAMI LAUNCH A COLLECTION OF 13 UNIQUE WATCHES AND 13 UNIQUE NFTs

Posted on February 3, 2023 by Eyesontime

As a result of their new collaboration, Hublot and Takashi Murakami present thirteen new NFTs and thirteen unique timepieces featuring the iconic smiling flower that is central to the Japanese artist’s work.

“Our partnership with Takashi Murakami is allowing us to construct a history that interlinks all the works we have released with Takashi, both digital pieces and the watches themselves. Faithful to its history, Hublot is once again first, unique and different in how it rewards its collectors, providing them with privileged access to both ownership of and trade in unique artistic pieces. Hublot Loves Art!” RICARDO GUADALUPE HUBLOT CEO

“When my collaboration with Hublot was announced, we made it known that we would be adopting new forms of artistic expression. After creating all the timepieces together, as well as the digital works of art, we are now imagining new ways of accessing contemporary art.” TAKASHI MURAKAMI

At an exclusive event which took place at the Glass House in New York on February 2nd, Hublot and Takashi Murakami announced their fourth joint artistic project: the launch of thirteen new NFTs and thirteen unique timepieces. This announcement represents a continuation of past projects, by rewarding the first buyers of the watches and collectors of the first NFTs through an exclusive approach.

The thirteen unique NFTs are inspired by Japanese video games & TV from the 1970s as well as the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black, the first collaboration between the Swiss watchmaker and Takashi Murakami launched in January 2021. These NFTs are linked to a limited edition of 13 new and unique Classic Fusion watches that will be at Watches & Wonders 2023 in Geneva. Twelve of these watches will be available for purchase exclusively online on hublot.com, which can only be accessed by owners of at least one of the 324 NFTs issued in April 2022 as part of the third collaboration between Hublot and Takashi Murakami. These 324 NFTs were originally offered to owners of one of the two Hublot x Takashi Murakami watch models (Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami All Black & Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Sapphire Rainbow), before they were allowed to be exchanged on the decentralized NFT trading platform, OpenSea. The period between the announcement of the project in New York in February 2023 and the start of sales in early April 2023 in Geneva will allow any collector interested in one of the new watches to collect one of the NFTs available on OpenSea. Each buyer lucky enough to purchase one of the 12 new unique watches will receive a corresponding exclusive NFT.

Hublot and Takashi Murakami take the watch as a work of art to a new level, by bridging the art of fine watchmaking with digital art. The 13th watch of the collection, unveiled in New York, is the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow and it is also the masterpiece. Taking inspiration from the two previously launched pieces, this watch reinterprets t he iconic emblem of Takashi Murakami: the smiling flower. Here, the 12 petals of the flower form a perfect gradient of rubies, sapphires, amethysts, tsavorites and topaz. Thanks to an ingenious ball bearing system developed by Hublot’s engineers the petals create a dizzying spectacle of colour as the y spin on an axis with each movement. The kinetic effect of the petals creates a striking effect against the 45mm black ceramic case. The center of the smiling flower is placed on top of the sapphire glass to create a three-dimensional effect.

The twelve other references, which will be available for purchase by holders of the NFTs on the dedicated ecommerce platform, recall the master flower and represent one of the petals. Twelve references for twelve hours on the dial, and twelve NFTs. The heart of the watch beats with the manufacture Unico calibre set in the emblematic Classic Fusion design a unique movement that offers a 72 hour power reserve. As the third watch collaboration between Hublot and the Japanese artist, this launch is proof of the incredible collectability of this partnership.

As the second step, collectors will then have a period of one year during which they will have the opportunity to trade the twelve NFTs on the OpenSea platform. In April 202 4 at the end of this period, only the collector who has managed to collect all 12 of the new unique NFTs will be eligible to purchase the thirteenth and most sought after watch: the Classic Fusion Takashi Murakami Black Ceramic Rainbow In the event that no single person has managed to gather all twelve NFTs the watch will be auctioned by Hublot to raise funds for charity.

CLASSIC FUSION TAKASHI MURAKAMI BLACK CERAMIC RAINBOW

REFERENCE	CASE	CASEBACK	BEZEL
507.CX.9099.RX.TAK23 UNIQUE PIECE	Satin-finished and polished black ceramic Diameter: 45 mm Thickness: 13.45 mm Water resistance: 5 ATM	Polished black ceramic	Satin-finished and polished black ceramic
DIAL	MOVEMENT	STRAP AND CLASP
Microblasted rhodium-plated Rotating décor with 12 petals set with 384 coloured gemstones	Unico Manufacture, self-winding Frequency: 4 (28’800 A/H) Power reserve (hours): 72 Number of components : 256 Jewels : 30	Black lined rubber Black-plated stainless steel deployant buckle clasp

HUBLOT CELEBRATES THE YEAR OF THE RABBIT

Posted on January 23, 2023 by Eyesontime

In order to mark the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit, Hublot collaborated with Chinese Artist Wen Na in creating a unique painting for the dial of the Spirit of Big Bang Black Ceramic Rabbit

As the Lunar New Year is approaching, Swiss luxury watchmaker Hublot has invited Wen Na to craft a new Year of the Rabbit painting and present the Spirit of Big Bang Black Ceramic Rabbit. The fusion of traditional Chinese culture with Contemporary Haute Horlogerie has given rise to new ideas: Wen visualised 12 double-hours from the Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches and combined them with traditional elements of the Lunar New Year. We therefore can find festive lanterns, firecrackers and lion dance in the artwork, to create an intriguing world to usher into the new year. The time is brimming with wonder and excitement at each double-hours, giving full expression to Hublot’s Art of Fusion spirit.

In traditional Chinese culture, the rabbit is considered sacred and auspicious, and thus the Year of the Rabbit 2023 is recognized as “the lucky year”. Hublot wanted to give green light to an artist in order to celebrate this Lunar New Year. Wen Na created a New Year-themed painting in her vibrant artistic language, using unbridled imagination to visualise 12 double-hours in a unique way. A group of charmingly naive rabbits, which are having fun with a lion dance, or holding firecrackers or indulging themselves in other traditional Chinese activities, marking the wonderful moments as time goes by. This scene depicts a vigorous and prosperous Year of the Rabbit and also conveys the atmosphere of the Lunar New Year, an occasion for family reunion.

Enlighted by Hublot’s Art of Fusion brand concept, Wen drew inspiration from the ancient calendar of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches, an old and mysterious Chinese cultural treasure. The 12 double-hours are fused with the images of rabbits to deliver a sense of joy and reunion. Meanwhile, she believes that refined arts in our world come in diverse forms, of which the essence lies in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. In her painting, a group of quick-witted rabbits bring to life the traditional customs associated with the Lunar New Year, including performing dragon and lion dances, putting up or changing door gods, hanging up festive lanterns, and giving and receiving red packets (a Year of Rabbit gift with money stuffed into red envelopes). There always is something to enjoy at each double-hours – from the Zi Hour to the Hai Hour. The twelve Earthly Branches are also used to record the year and the month, thus implying that every day and every month is a good time in the world of Hublot time.

Moreover, in Wen’s mind, rabbits are not just gentle and cute. She gave rabbits a more modern look by presenting them in a slightly playful style. While in keeping with the theme of the Year of the Rabbit and the quintessence of traditional Chinese culture, she changed the usual image of the gentle rabbits and recreated amusing rabbits that are energetic at different double-hours in an artistic way, injecting fresh vitality into the new year and aptly interpreting Hublot’s innovative and pioneering spirit of “be different”. A contemporary reinterpretation of the classics.

The whole visual is thus captured in her mind, which is then realised in the canvas, with powerful images interpreting the rhythm of minutes and seconds, and conveying joyful emotions in a new year. The creation is the result of a fusion between Haute Horlogerie know-how and traditional art and culture, between the essence of Eastern and Western cultures, and between the past and the present.

Coming from China, Wen Na is acclaimed as one of the leading young contemporary Chinese artists for her distinctive artistic style. She graduated with a major in printmaking and developed an indissoluble bond with “fusion of arts” during her university years. From mural paintings to sculpture and from art to music, Wen has constantly experimented with the fusion of various art forms, leveraging unique aesthetic concepts to inspire new thinking about modern art. The “fusion of arts”, which Wen believes is the driving force behind inspiration and imagination and also is in line with Hublot’s Art of Fusion brand concept. With its ingenuity and craftsmanship, Hublot has combined seemingly diametrically opposed materials and joined hands with the most talented practitioners in alternate fields to push the boundaries of what is technically and aesthetically possible to set new trends for watchmaking.

“We are thrilled to be partnering with a young artist like Wen Na who is a master of traditional Chinese culture to craft a new Lunar New Year painting and present the Spirit of Big Bang Black Ceramic Rabbit. Everyone who saw Wen Na’s mural work was shocked as she has fused her strong imagination with rich colors and lines. More interestingly, these images are not replicas of existing traditional symbols, but a combination of her use of the place where the murals are located, history, and her strong imagination. Her unique artistic style perfectly embodies the bold creative vision that we have at Hublot. Meanwhile, Hublot loves Art has been demonstrating through various forms of expression and creations how the brand loves to fuse different artistic inspirations and styles. Hublot Loves Art!” – RICARDO GUADALUPE HUBLOT CEO

“The partnership with Hublot is a very pleasant surprise. It is also an interesting combination to integrate the ancient representation of time in traditional Chinese culture, the sexagenary cycle, with Hublot and its pioneering watch. More importantly, Hublot’s presentation of the animation also amazed me, and the whole creative process made me feel very smooth and happy as well.” –WEN NA CONTEMPORARY ARTIST

Inspired by Hublot’s Art of Fusion brand concept, Wen Na interpreted the twelve Earthly Branches, a symbol from the traditional Chinese calendar, with artistic imagination to depict the distinctive 12 double-hours. A group of charming rabbits having fun with a lion dance, holding firecrackers or indulging in other activities, mark the wonderful moments of each of the double-hours. This timepiece represents a fusion of the essence of Chinese culture and innovative watchmaking concepts, while demonstrating the connection between Eastern and Western cultures with a unique artistic language.

A Year of the Rabbit-themed painting is vividly rendered into a festive scene on the dial with playful rabbits at different double-hours, thanks to the brand’s exquisite craftsmanship. Hublot artisans use a variety of brushes to paint the dial, with some details presented in hair-thin fine strokes. Each hand-painted dial is created through a complicated process that takes over 40 hours. Each dial of the 12 pieces is different from the others, therefore all are unique artworks that showcase the brand’s exceptional watchmaking expertise. In addition, the representation of hour markers has adopted an artistic expression that derives from the traditional twelve Earthly Branches, representing a tribute to profound Chinese culture and Hublot’s efforts of taking its pioneering philosophy of fusion to a new height.

This timepiece adopts the tonneau-shaped case, a signature design code of the Spirit of Big Bang collection, and incorporates all the classic design elements of Big Bang watches: the six H-shaped screws on the bezel, the lugs either side of the case, the over-moulded rubber screw-down crown decorated with the iconic H, and the sandwich type construction. Additionally, the Spirit of Big Bang Black Ceramic Rabbit is made of black ceramic to provide a perfect contrast with the gorgeous image on the dial where rabbits are celebrating the Lunar New Year. Housed within the 42mm-diameter case is the HUB1710 self-winding movement with a 50-hour power reserve.

REFERENCE	CASE	CASE BACK	BEZEL
646.CI.0610.NR.WNA23 Limited to 12 pieces	Microblasted and Polished Black ceramic Diameter: 42 mm Thickness: 13.85 mm Water Resistant: 10 ATM	Microblasted and Polished Black Ceramic	Microblasted and Polished Black ceramic
DIAL	MOVEMENT	STRAP AND BUCKLE	PRICE
Sapphire Crystal, hand painted	HUB1710 Self-winding Movement Frequency (Hz): 4 (28’800 A/h) Power reserve: Approx. 50 hours Number of components: 185 Jewels: 27	Black Fabric Strap with Black Ceramic Buckle Clasp Black and Red Lined Structured Rubber Strap Black Ceramic and Black-plated Titanium Deployant Buckle Clasp	38’000.00 CHF 41’000.00 EUR 40’000.00 USD 34’500.00 GBP

HUBLOT BIG BANG ZERMATT: BACK TO THE MATTERHORN

Posted on January 21, 2023 by Eyesontime

For the fourth time, Hublot celebrates its special relationship with Zermatt, the iconic Swiss Alpine resort town nestled at the base of the Matterhorn. Two original new creations were released to mark this special occasion.

“The connection between Hublot and Zermatt is more than symbolic. We share the same terroir and, the same roots, and we carry these qualities far beyond our borders. But I believe the quality that best defines Hublot is loyalty. The Big Bang Zermatt models that we have released since 2017 are a mark of the friendship and authenticity that we share with our fans and collectors.” – RICARDO GUADALUPE HUBLOT CEO

Matterhorn, carved out in rock over hundreds of millions of years. On the other, the mastery of perfect, modern lines by a contemporary manufacture. Yet, once again, Hublot has fused the elements and brought to life a creation that glorifies the silhouette of Switzerland’s most famous mountain within its legendary Big Bang.

However, this is not just any representation of the Matterhorn. It is depicted as it appears from Zermatt, because the Matterhorn has been the main witness to the union between Hublot and the iconic Alpine resort. For the last five years, the two entities have joined forces to celebrate their “Swissness”. For example, Hublot has set up the most traditional of its boutiques at the heart of the resort, made entirely from wood in the purest respect for local architectural traditions. The Hublot boutique has since become an integral part of the charm and the magic of the area.

Of course, Hublot, as an advocate for emotions and meaningful connections, was always going to take it to the next level! To reach the summit of the Zermatt ski resort, visitors now take the Hublot-Express (Gant-Blauherd), one of the resort’s most modern cable cars, built in 2016, and reaching an altitude of 2600 metres. The goal? To carve through fresh snow, or powder for more accomplished skiers, and arrive at Chez Vrony, the century-old family restaurant for whom Hublot is also the “Official Timekeeper”.

The new Big Bang Zermatt is part of this local dynamic, combining the best of Swiss tradition with modern watchmaking. The latest pieces in a collection created in 2017, the two new Big Bangs explore the two faces of watchmaking, like a climber scaling the two iconic faces of the Matterhorn.

Each version is available in a steel case – a return to the basics that has not been used by Hublot in a Zermatt special edition since 2018. The material, which features alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces, echoes the unique reflection of schist, the typical Swiss stone similar to slate which forms a large part of the Matterhorn. The sunray finished dial will illuminate this with an ever-changing light, like the faces of the Matterhorn under the continuously shifting sun.

These two editions both boast the special Big Bang Zermatt feature of which collectors are so fond: the Matterhorn at 9 o’clock on the men’ model, and at 3 o’clock on the ladies’ model. The latter boasts a bezel set with 36 diamonds which also punctuate the hour indices. Each bezel is equipped with screws made from titanium, a material inspired by the needs of mountaineers, whose equipment must be both light and strong. Once again, Hublot has mastered the fusion of substance and shape, colour and material, Alpine and watchmaking symbols.

Both versions are powered by a self-winding chronograph and complimented by two nubuck straps: the first in slate grey, the second in snow white, in a dual tribute to the iconic colours of Zermatt.

THE BIG BANG UNICO SORAI TIME FOR RHINOS

Posted on January 17, 2023 by Eyesontime

In the battle against extinction, time is everything and every second counts.

Hublot has been supporting SORAI Save Our Rhinos Africa India since 2019. An organisation founded by Hublot ambassador and former international cricket star Kevin Pietersen. His work helps keep rhinos threatened with extinction safe from poachers. As with the two previous limited editions, part of the proceeds from the sale of the 100 Big Bang Unico SORAI will be donated to the organisation. The colours chosen for the third limited edition are those of sunset recalling the heightened danger faced by rhinos as night falls. Here, the sun is a symbol of hope of a new dawn.

“If purchasing a watch can buy time, then it is a small gesture with huge implications. Saving the rhino is an urgent matter for both the planet and future generations. When brand ambassador and former international cricketer Kevin Pietersen launched SORAI in 2018, we felt it was entirely natural to join forces with him in his race against time to beat the poachers. We have used our limited editions to help him gain access to more state of the art technologies on the ground, put together more surveillance teams, as well as rescue injured or orphaned rhinos, with the single shared aim of shielding this endangered species.” – RICARDO GUADALUPE HUBLOT CEO

A watch made to support rhinos.

Because the rhino’s only predators are humans.
Because every day, every minute and every second counts.
Because each Big Bang Unico SORAI will buy time for endangered rhinos.
Because, on the ground, we need to be faster than the poachers.
Because poaching is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and risk for species extinction, second only to the destruction of natural habitats.

One of the “BIG FIVE” and the second largest mammal after the elephant, the rhino has seen its numbers drop by 90% over the last ten years. On average, three wild rhinos are killed every day, leaving fewer than 30,000 rhinos currently alive across the world. And while trade in rhino horn has been banned internationally since 1977 by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), poachers continue to hunt and kill rhinos for their horns, whose price is worth more per kilo than gold.

Since 2018, SORAI has supported projects to protect endangered animals, identify new technologies to combat poaching (thermal cameras, GPS tracking of animals) and raise awareness of the need to protect these endangered species. In line with its motto, “BE THE CHANGE”, SORAI is pushing change and working to prevent poaching and hunting. There are many ways to combat poaching (raising public awareness, education, law enforcement, transmitters for tracking animals, increasing ranger numbers and creating sanctuaries for injured or orphaned animals). However, prevention and active rangers on the ground remain the most effective tools Proceeds from the sale of the Big Bang Unico SORAI will go directly to projects supported by SORAI to equip helicopters with cameras, raise awareness in schools about the consequences of poaching and to provide backup to rangers on the ground. These strategies are implemented where the need is biggest and most pressing South Africa. South Africa is home to more than 80% of the world’s total population of rhinos, with the majority of poaching taking place in Kruger National Park as it has the largest population of wild white rhinos left on earth.

Our actions on the ground (surveillance teams and equipment to prevent poaching, rhino sanctuaries and refuges) are vital. However, in order to act, we first need to raise public awareness, increase publicity and make this a visible cause. Hublot is helping us on the ground by donating proceeds from the sale of the Big Bang Unico SORAI and by lending the brand’s voice to our cause to bring it to global attention. In the three years since we began this joint venture, it has yielded concrete results.

KEVIN PIETERSEN FOUNDER OF SORAI, HUBLOT AMBASSADOR FORMER INTERNATIONAL CRICKETER

HUBLOT

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, 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).

SORAI

SORAI is a socially conscious enterprise that collaborates with the world’s most progressive brands and their audiences to support the conservation of key endangered species. In short, our Purpose is that we exist to bring people and business together to ensure that Africa & India’s keystone species survive and thrive in the wild. Forever

Founded in 2018 by former international cricketer and conservationist Kevin Pietersen, SORAI has supported grassroots organisations that rescue abandoned, injured, and orphaned endangered species and rehabilitate them where possible.

Alongside its network of global partners, SORAI is also committed to bringing attention to the plight of these animals through award-winning television and digital content.Together with our partners we work to connect with communities around the world to raise awareness of the importance of these animals and their value for future generations

The SORAI emblem is a symbol for change. It informs, it empowers, it unites people through conservation.

SORAI, Be the Change.

BIG BANG UNICO SORAI

TECHNICAL SHEET REFERENCE	CASE	CASE BACK	BEZEL
421.FX.8099.NR.SOA23 Limited to 100 pieces	Micro-blasted and polished grey ceramic with “One-Click” system Diameter: 44 mm Thickness: 14.50 mm Water Resistant: 100 m	Micro-blasted grey ceramic and sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment with SORAI logo	Micro-blasted and polished grey ceramic
DIAL	MOVEMENT	STRAP AND BUCKLE	PRICE
Matte grey skeleton with “Rhinoceros” applique at 09:00	MHUB1280 UNICO 2 Manufacture self-winding chronograph flyback movement with column wheel Frequency (Hz): 4 (28’800 A/h) Power reserve: Approx. 72 hours Number of components: 354 Jewels: 43	Grey fabric strap with micro-blasted black ceramic buckle Additional black rubber with black, orange and purple camouflage decor Black ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle clasp	22’900.00 CHF 25’200.00 EUR 24’100.00 USD 20’800.00 GBP

SAXEM, ACT II: THE BIG BANG TOURBILLON AUTOMATIC NOW IN NEON YELLOW SAXEM

Posted on January 13, 2023 by Eyesontime

Hublot continues its exploration of SAXEM – a material often used in satellites and some lasers – allowing the Manufacture to obtain unprecedented translucent colours, of which neon yellow. A first for Hublot and for watchmaking.

“It has taken us almost three years of research, after the MP-11 Emerald Green, to develop a new colour fit for our Big Bang and that would be totally transparent and completely resistant. Once again, Hublot is pushing the possibilities of technology and aesthetics and fuses them to create a unique neon yellow manufacturer piece. – RICARDO GUADALUPE (HUBLOT CEO)”

Reproducing a translucent case in a bright, fluorescent shade of neon yellow may seem like a simple idea. But, in fact, it was incredibly complex to achieve. The yellow is a powerful, bright neon colour which almost seems to glow from the inside, like a fluorescent material. An intense fluorescent shade of acid yellow, citrus-like in its quality. To meet this highly technical challenge, Hublot had to search for a solution in space technology. In fact, SAXEM was developed in the field of satellite technology. A unique material that had also been used in 2019 for the Big Bang MP-11.

At the time, Hublot had crafted it in emerald green. This time, the goal was to achieve a brand-new neon yellow colour. It also had to meet the strict requirements of the Nyon Manufacture for its sapphire watches: complete transparency and incredible resistance. After three years of research and development, the challenge was met and overcome with the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM.

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What is SAXEM? It stands for “Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Mineral”. It is an alloy of aluminium oxide, the basic component of sapphire, with rare earth elements like thulium and holmium as well as chromium. The resulting material is ultra-resistant and endowed with a brilliance that is greater than that of sapphire. The absence of tension within the material ensures greater stability in terms of shaping, whereas the cubic crystalline structure guarantees the same shade and intensity of colour, regardless of the angle from which the case is viewed. The fully polished neon yellow SAXEM offers a bold contrast with the bezel’s six H-shaped screws and with the crown, all in polished and micro-blasted titanium.

In terms of movement, the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM is powered by the HUB6035 self-winding Manufacture calibre. Hublot has chosen the most difficult technical route, self-winding using a micro-rotor, the only way to avoid concealing the back of the movement as a conventional rotor would have done. On top of that, the Manufacture has chosen to skeletonise the entire calibre. This is a stratospheric feat of watchmaking which pushes open-worked materials to the limits of their functional resistance, almost nothing remains that would conceal the calibre. Entirely visible and fully laid bare, even its bridges are made from sapphire so that only the beating heart and soul of the watch remain. This heart is the tourbillon, which appears to be suspended in mid-air. This architecture serves to free the piece from any visual clutter. Positioned at 6 o’clock, it offers the technical and hypnotic spectacle of a high-precision Haute Horlogerie piece, designed as a 21st-century interpretation: modern, disruptive, dazzling.

Finally, to make it suitable for daily use, the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM offers a guaranteed 72-hour power reserve – making the piece perfectly weekend-proof.

This timepiece, which will be exclusively available as a limited edition of 50 pieces, comes with a neon yellow textured rubber strap, tailor-made for this watch, complete with a titanium deployant buckle and equipped with the One Click system so that it can be changed immediately with no need for tools.

Check it out at: www.hublot.com

BIG BANG TOURBILLON AUTOMATIC YELLOW NEON SAXEM

TECHNICAL SHEET REFERENCE	CASE	CASE BACK	BEZEL
YELLOW NEON SAXEM 429.JY.0120.RT Limited to 50 pieces	Polished and microblasted neon yellow SAXEM with “One Click” system Diameter: 44mm Thickness: 14.40 mm Water Resistant: 30 m	Polished neon yellow SAXEM and sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment	Polished and micro-blasted neon yellow SAXEM
DIAL	MOVEMENT	STRAP AND BUCKLE	PRICE
Sapphire crystal	HUB6035 Manufacture automatic tourbillon movement Frequency (Hz): 3 (21’600 A/h) Power reserve: Approx. 72 hours Number of components: 282 Jewels: 26	Lined transparent neon yellow rubber strap Titanium deployant buckle clasp	200’000.00 CHF 220’000.00 EUR 211’000.00 USD 182’000.00 GBP

Top Luxury Watches for the Indian Wedding Season

Posted on July 6, 2022 by Eyesontime

The monsoon is making the world clean and green. Soon after it will be time for new beginnings. As the wedding season approaches after the rains, the most awaited preparation is shopping for one’s special day. For women, it is mostly clothes, shoes, bags, make-up and jewelry. But for men, this is the time to indulge in a few goodies of their own choice too. Be it grooming, or looking for experiential events a fair share of materialistic goodies are also sought. Here are some top luxury watches for the Indian wedding season especially for couples.

The watch industry sees a boom during this time around too. An increasing number of men and women are now looking at investing in luxury watches. Having said that the emphasis is on Swiss watches. A watch is no longer just an accessory thrown together in a hurry, mismatched, or hardly talked about.

Watches today are a centerpiece of a conversation, often starting some genuinely interesting dialogues that can forge long-term friendships and inclusion in exclusive clubs. So when one is investing, a term preferred versus buying, because the timepieces we are going to talk about can be looked upon as not only investments but in certain cases also heirlooms you can leave for the generations to come.

These are a few luxury watch brands that come into top consideration.

Whether it is a dress watch, mechanical watch, sports watch, or simply a classic elegant piece, there are a plethora of choices at varying price points. In short, there is something for everyone whether one is a novice entering the world of time or a serious time collector.

If you are a close relative/ friend of the couple and are looking at gifting them couple watches here are a few pairs you must give a dekko.

ROLEX

You can never go wrong with a classy brand like Rolex. It is one of the most sought-after brands and one well worth the wait.

HUBLOT

Hublot is known for its “Art of Fusion”. The brand has been successfully disrupting the watch industry by innovating the use of different materials to make collectible time art.

OMEGA

Omega is a brand well established in the luxury watch segment and the Constellation Series is one of the fastest selling and elegance personified.

ZENITH

Zenith is a brand that is quietly been raising the bar in the luxury watch industry. It is well-known as the most rooted-in-history brand.

ARMIN STROM

Armin Strom watches are mechanically exceptional and meticulously well-finished.

GIRARD PERREGAUX

Girard Perregaux pushes the boundaries of design and innovation in watchmaking

Apart from looking at couple/pair watches, some watches are designed to reflect individual personalities and choices. We shall explore these soon.

Tattoo-etched sapphire, new boundaries pushed back.

Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu

Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu Sapphire – A play on similarities and differences.

Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu Sapphire – A contrasting softness of features incised into the hardness of the sapphire

SPIRIT OF BIG BANG SANG BLEU SAPPHIRE

POWER RESERVE

STRAP

CLASP

So, what’s new?

From sculpture to wearable wrist sculpture

Mingling sacred and industrial, organic and synthetic influences

Ross’s story to date

HUBLOT

Hublot combines iconic design and craftsmanship with its Classic Fusion High Jewellery 2023 watch, a stunning piece of high jewellery with 431 dazzling baguette-cut diamonds.

CLASSIC FUSION HIGH JEWELLERY 42MM

HUBLOT

A UNIQUE PIECE AND HUBLOT’S FIRST CENTRAL FLYING TOURBILLON

Hublot’s first central tourbillon

Superflat Floral Poetry

Collector’s item: unique calligraphy created by Takashi Murakami’s own hand

Identical or different? Both… But always unique!

Hublot x Sang Bleu: Seven years of artistic and creative collaboration

The result: The Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu

Hublot – Sang Bleu – Trilogy

BEAUREGARD – Dahlia White Gold – Fire Opal

CHOPARD – Alpine Eagle 41 XPS

FERDINAND BERTHOUD – FB 3SPC.1

FREDERIQUE CONSTANT – Classic Tourbillon Manufacture

HUBLOT – MP-13 TOURBILLON BI-AXIS RETROGRADE

HUBLOT –Square Bang Sapphire

IWC SCHAFFHAUSEN – Ingenieur Automatic 40 Black

LAURENT FERRIER – Square Micro-Rotor Evergreen

ROLEX – New Cosmograph Daytona

As a result of their new collaboration, Hublot and Takashi Murakami present thirteen new NFTs and thirteen unique timepieces featuring the iconic smiling flower that is central to the Japanese artist’s work.

CLASSIC FUSION TAKASHI MURAKAMI BLACK CERAMIC RAINBOW

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In order to mark the arrival of the Year of the Rabbit, Hublot collaborated with Chinese Artist Wen Na in creating a unique painting for the dial of the Spirit of Big Bang Black Ceramic Rabbit

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For the fourth time, Hublot celebrates its special relationship with Zermatt, the iconic Swiss Alpine resort town nestled at the base of the Matterhorn. Two original new creations were released to mark this special occasion.

In the battle against extinction, time is everything and every second counts.

A watch made to support rhinos.

KEVIN PIETERSEN FOUNDER OF SORAI, HUBLOT AMBASSADOR FORMER INTERNATIONAL CRICKETER

HUBLOT

SORAI

BIG BANG UNICO SORAI

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Check it out at: www.hublot.com

BIG BANG TOURBILLON AUTOMATIC YELLOW NEON SAXEM

TECHNICAL SHEET REFERENCE

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YELLOW NEON SAXEM

429.JY.0120.RT

Limited to 50 pieces

Polished and microblasted neon yellow SAXEM with “One Click” system

Diameter: 44mm

Thickness: 14.40 mm

Water Resistant: 30 m

Polished neon yellow SAXEM and sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment