The Hublot Square Bang is a reinterpretation of the Big Bang, housed in a square case. This novelty marks the first time the Manufacture has ventured into making a square case. At the same time, however, it is expanding the Shaped collection, whose only piece to date has been a tonneau watch. A total of five versions of the Hublot Square Bang are available, made either of titanium, King Gold or, as a limited edition, black ceramic. Despite the angular case, the round in-house calibre 1280 drives the watches.
The Square Case
After Hublot has already presented a tonneau interpretation of the Big Bang, another new shape is now following. The square shape is difficult to implement, however, as any mechanical timepiece using cog wheels is based on a round geometry. Here, however, Hublot packs the characteristic Big Bang DNA into an angular case while ensuring ergonomics with the 43 mm diameter. In addition, the case also has the six functional screws on the bezel that are found in the same place on the round Big Bang.
In total, the Manufacture is presenting five variants of the Hublot Square Bang. There are two titanium cases, distinguished by their optional black ceramic bezel. There are also two watches made of the in-house King Gold alloy. Here, too, there is either a solid bezel or a polished ceramic bezel. Last but not least, the house presents the ALL BLACK, a limited edition in satin-finished black ceramic.
On the side of the Hublot Square Bang lie the push-pieces and the crown, which are lined with rubber. On both sides are “ears” that provide symmetry and protect the case. In addition, the movement is visible through the case back on all variants. Another challenge of the angular shape is the water resistance, which Hublot nevertheless guarantees up to 100 metres.
The Sapphire Crystal Dial
The dial is made of sapphire crystal and reveals the inner workings of the Hublot Square Bang. On the glass are faceted indices that indicate the time together with the broad main hands. Depending on the case material, these appear either rhodium-plated or gold-plated. For better readability, however, they are all filled with luminous material. There is also a printed minute track on a ring on the periphery. Elsewhere, the bicompax display divides into a small seconds at 9 o’clock and a 60-minute counter at 3 o’clock. A date window is also included, with its number disc visibly winding around the centre.
The Movement of The Hublot Square Bang
The well-known calibre 1280, which improved upon the original UNICO calibre, powers the watch. However, the 1280 (UNICO 2) is round and therefore lies in a mould that holds the movement in place. The mechanism on top of the in-house base consists of 354 components and 42 jewels. It offers automatic winding and a power reserve of 72 hours. The chronograph integrates both a column wheel and a horizontal double clutch. Both mechanisms are placed on the dial side to be admired by the wearer. In addition, the timepiece offers a flyback function.
Rubber Strap With Interchangeable System
The five models all come with the same black rubber strap. Its “chocolate square” design is reminiscent of the shape of the watch case. Depending on the case material, a folding clasp made of ceramic, titanium or King Gold secures the strap on the wrist. The Hublot Square Bang also features the One-Click system, which allows the wearer to change the strap quickly and easily. As an alternative to the rubber strap, Hublot sells a choice of rubber, alligator or leather straps.
Price & Availability of The Hublot Square Bang
The five variants of the Hublot Square Bang Unico are available now. The UNICO Titanium 42 mm costs 22,700 euros. With a ceramic bezel, it costs 23,800 euros. If it is to be a case of King Gold, 42,500 euros are due. Here, the optional ceramic bezel reduces the price to 39,400 euros. Finally, the limited edition of 250 pieces: the Square Bang UNICO ALL BLACK costs 25,900 euros.
Swisswatches recently headed over to Hamburg in order to see and celebrate the official launch of Tudor’s second ever mono-brand boutique. Our editor Catherine Bishop reports back on what the space has to offer Tudor clients from far and wide. When one hears Tudor, one thinks of David Beckham, the All Blacks, and of course…
Greubel Forsey has reinvented its perpetual calendar QP in the new QP à Équation. Housed in a 43.5mm 5N red-gold case with a 'chocolate brown' dial, the watch incorporates a complete perpetual calendar, a tourbillon, and Equation of Time, which are operated using the bidirectional crown. The timepiece is presented on a hand-sewn alligator leather…
Blancpain has added two unique additions to its most classic collection in the form of a new Villeret Quantième Complet and a Villeret Ultraplate. Both wristwatches are housed in an 40mm 18-carat red-gold case and – for the first time – the red-gold material of the cases, Roman numerals and sage leaf-shaped hands have been…
Panerai is introducing a new piece to its Luminor collection: the Luminor Marina 44mm Guillaume Néry Edition (PAM01122). The watch celebrates the 70th anniversary of the birth of Luminor, which is a tritium-based substance with luminescent properties. 70 pieces of the watch are therefore available. Moreover, the new model comes with a 70-year warranty. Guillaume…
Every year at Cartier, a rare new model joins the Privé collection – a line dedicated to the brand's watch collectors. Always special in terms of aesthetics and highly limited in its production numbers, the Privé watches are inevitably much-anticipated pieces. This year, the seventh special series is the Tank Normale. In a nod to…
After one year out of action, Rafael Nadal recently announced his return to professional tennis for the Australian Open in Brisbane. So, it seemed rather fitting that Richard Mille produce him a new watch and drop us fans an early Christmas present. That is, of course, the new RM 35-03 Automatic Rafael Nadal. Up until…
Back in January at the LMVH Watch Week in Dubai, watchmaker Zenith, which was founded back in 1865, introduced several exciting novelties into its DEFY collection. One special new piece of this collection is likely to have particularly excited fans of electro and techno music: the DEFY 21 Carl Cox Edition. It was created in…
Manufacture A. Lange & Söhne is introducing the TRIPLE SPLIT split-seconds chronograph in a brand new edition, featuring a red-gold case and blue dial. The TRIPLE SPLIT was introduced in 2018 and remains the only rattrapante chronograph that can measure additive and comparative times up to a duration of twelve hours. Like its predecessor, the…
Glashütte-based A. Lange & Söhne is launching the ZEITWERK HONEYGOLD "Lumen". The watch with digital time display now combines a honey gold case with a sapphire crystal dial. The latter makes the discs of the time display visible. In this model of the "Lumen" series, the numerals are generously coated with luminous material, which gives…
Lucerne-based manufacture Carl F. Bucherer is introducing a new edition of its COSC-certified Patravi chronograph: the Patravi TravelTec Color Edition Four Seasons. Four brightly coloured versions are available – including a yellow (summer), orange (autumn), green (spring), and or blue (winter) watch. Notably, the Patravi watch has a large case diameter of 46.6 mm, and…
Vacheron Constantin has been in the limelight recently thanks to the introduction of numerous exciting models - from the successfully resurrected 222 to the one-of-kind Les Cabinotiers Armillary Tourbillon. Now, however, Vacheron is setting its sights on expanding the maison's trusty Overseas collection by introducing a new rose-gold model in a 35 mm case. Why…
After four years of development, the time has come: Breguet presents two new pilot's watches inspired by the Maison’s military (Type 20) as well as civilian (Type XX) models of the 1950s. The new Type 20 Chronographe 2057 and the Type XX Chronographe 2067 fully stand in the tradition of Breguet's close relationship with aviation.…
The German-Swiss manufacturer Armin Strom presents a variant of the Pure Resonance. The new model, the Armin Strom Pure Resonance Sky Blue, has a guilloché, sky-blue dial made by Kari Voutilainen. As a resonance watch, this model also makes use of this phenomenon in order to improve the accuracy. The spectacle of two synchronously beating…