Hublot’s new Big Bang
Integral King Gold.
Hublot retains the
multi-level,
skeletonized
appearance of the
Unico chonograph
movement for its new
Integral collection.
AMONG HUBLOT’S MANY DEBUTS AT THE LVMH WATCH WEEK IN
DUBAI IN MID-JANUARY, the new Hublot Big Bang Integral was the
brand’s primary focus. As the first Big Bang with an integrated metal
bracelet, the 42mm collection debuts with an impressive lineup on its
very first showing.
Not only has Hublot offered the new collection in three case metals
(titanium, King Gold and a 500-piece black ceramic edition), but also each
metal has already been decked in diamonds for three additional gem-set
models that extend the debut Integral line.
The namesake integrated bracelet here is a solid three-link design that
breaks Hublot’s long-held focus on rubber, leather or fabric bracelets for
its best-selling Big Bang Unico collections. The new Integral collection is
also notable for utilizing the rectangular pushers originally found on the
Big Bang in 2005, but replaced in recent years by round pushers.
“For the new Integral, we’ve kept the screws, the bezel and the lugs,
but we have changed the pushers to look like those used in the original,”
explains Raphael Nussbaumer, Hublot product and purchasing director.
“The new bracelet has three links, and we play with satin brushed and
polished finishes and beveling and chamfering to create reflections. The
bracelet seems simple, but to have a perfect balance between the case
and the bracelet is truly challenging.”
Hublot was up to that challenge. I placed the new watch on my wrist at
the debut and discovered a solid construction that easily conforms to the
wrist. The titanium model is a particular delight, with a lightness that was
surprising, especially given the Big Bang’s full-sized 42mm by 13.5mm
chronograph case. The King Gold model is as luxurious as you’d expect,
with its heavier alloy of gold, copper and platinum presenting a stark
contrast to either the titanium or black ceramic models.
In addition to the new collection’s retro pushers, you’ll also find a new
case construction here that retains the well-known Big Bang sandwich
construction but does away with composite resin insert. Instead, Hublot
creates the new cases entirely from one material (titanium, King Gold or
ceramic). Only on the ceramic model has Hublot utilized black composite
resin lugs on the bezel.
Inside each watch Hublot fixes its own Unico 1280 automatic flyback
chronograph movement with column wheel and an impressive 72-hour
power reserve. The handsome caliber is skeletonized for optimal viewing
from front or back. The wearer can eye the column wheel from the front of
the watch. All arrive with a deployant buckle clasp.
Prices for the new Hublot Big Bang Integral: $20,900 (titanium),
$23,100 (black ceramic-500 pieces) and $52,500 (King Gold). Diamond
models: $68,400 (titanium) and $100,000 (King Gold).
Hublot also debuted many other new watches during LVMH Watch
Week, including a handsome new Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10, a very hot
Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic and a colorful set of gem-encrusted Spirit of
Big Bang Rainbows.
SPRING 2020 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 75