Hublot

The Big Bang Unico is undoubtedly the most important novelty for Hublot in 2013. Indeed, it represents better than any other watch from the collection the strategy and the upmarket move of the brand. For many years, the Big Bang proved to be the incarnation of the fusion of materials  dear to Jean-Claude Biver's heart. The mechanical side  was not essential, Hublot focusing mostly on reliable and easy to service 7750 movements for its chronographs even if some Big Bang could be equipped with more exclusive calibers.


Given the evolution of the watch market, it became crucial for Hublot to have its own chronograph movement to support its growth ambition. The Unico movement is however not only an in-house chronograph movement. It is actually a real basic movement that can host other complications such the display of several timezones (Unico GMT). This is why it has a similar architecture to that of a modular movement as evidenced by the presence of the chronograph mechanism on the dial side. Beyond  its clever architecture  and its modularity, the Unico can allow us to enjoy advantageously the dial openings that reveal some elements of the chronograph mechanism like the column wheel.

If the first watches that used the new movement were the King Power, it was paradoxically a Big Bang which really put it under the spotlight. The Big Bang Ferrari has met since its launch a great success and it has been able to take advantage of the whole of the benefits provided by the Unico: a 72 hours power reserve, a flyback function and the column wheel visible on the dial side without forgetting  the technical specifications that ensure  the reliability of the movement behavior. Unquestionably, the Big Bang Ferrari foreshadowed what would be today's new Big Bang Unico. However, considering the latter as a simple evolution of the Ferrari watches is a quick shortcut. They have their own characteristics that distinguish them to the "Prancing Horse" watches.


It is true that the new Big Bang case made its first appearance in the context of the Big Bang Ferrari with its imposing 45mm diameter and its "One Click" system which allows to very easily change the bracelet. I find it is virtually identical with the new Big Bang. It is also characterized by the new screw heads whose circumference is slightly raised. They become even more visible than the former ones while improving the overall perceived quality.

However, the differences with the Big Bang Ferrari appear very quickly and maybe the most obvious one can be found with the pushers. It's almost a cultural revolution! Can you imagine it?  For the first time since the creation of the Big Bang, 8 years ago, the pushers are round! I have mixed feelings with them even if they look like engine pistons. From a practical point of view, there is nothing to say thanks to the Unico and their size, we can activate through them the chronograph functions without any problem. But I find that there is a kind of aesthetical gap between the pushers and the case, giving me the belief that the rectangular pushers are better adapted to the geometric lines and the sharp angles of the case. I prefer the pushers of the Big Bang Ferrari or of the Classic Fusion Chronograph. However, these round pushers have an advantage: they allow to give a personal style to this new Big Bang in the Hublot collection. The crown with overmoulded rubber has also been modified and fits well into the overall design of the watch.


The prancing horse of the Big Bang Ferrari left the dial and is replaced by  the permanent second hand what has the advantage to animate the dial. The figures are now more rounded and enlarged and appear to float, like the indexes, above the open dial. I love the visual rendering of the dial which depicts a technical atmosphere as evidenced by the visible dates wheel. Due to the positioning of the column wheel, the date is inserted in the minute counter. I am however not as satisfied with the result as with the Big Bang Ferrari. Oddly, Hublot took the decision to open more the date window and to make it follow the inner scale of the counter. The figures located before and after the date become partially visible and that leads, in my opinion, to a less legible date.

The scale of the chronograph second hand is put on the inclined flange in order to make the dial purer. However, do not hope to find 1/8th of second markers, there isn't any. I understand this design trick because it is a way to visually ease the dial complicated by the numerous openings. Despite this  voluntarily clutter side, the readability is excellent because the hands, numerals and indexes clearly stand out.


Thanks to its special design, the Unico is a very nice movement to watch. I love its very contemporary presentation, the shapes of the bridges and its colors that highlight the mobile parts. The  winding rotor made of tungsten is treated with a black satin finish, consistent with the bridges. Beneath the balance wheel, the pallet fork and escapement wheel are guessed thanks to the purple color of  silicon. We must not forget that the Unico is a movement which is technically achieved, combining its simplified architecture with some innovations such as the hour counter directly driven by the barrel. Its performances are quite respectable: a 72 hours power reserve, a 4hz  frequency, the flyback and a 60 minute counter I appreciate a lot because I find it the most logical to measure time.


There is a constant quality in each and every Hublot watch: it is the comfort on the wrist. The Big Bang Unico is obviously not a small watch with a 45mm diameter but the folding clasp system is still very efficient. Once positioned on the wrist, the new Big Bang displays its qualities such as its readability or the rendering of the dial. Expanded figures and indexes provide a more opulent look while the different size of the two sub-dials brings the little originality in making the dial  asymmetrical.

The Big Bang  Unico is in my point of view a very pertinent evolution of the Hublot flagship model by offering a perfect context to the Unico movement. Despite some details which didn't convince me, the balance sheet remains very positive because at the end, the watch gives the proof of an undeniable qualitative leap from Hublot.


The Big Bang Unico is currently available in 4 versions: Titanium, Titanium Ceramic, King Gold, King Gold Ceramic

Thanks a lot to the Hublot team for its availability at Baselworld 2013.

Pros:
+ the qualities of the Unico movement (flyback, 60 minutes counter)
+ the dial rendering
+ the readability
+ the comfort on the wrist

Cons:
+ the round pushers which seem out of context for my taste
+ the shape of the date window

More posts: Big BangBigger BangChronographClassic FusionFerrariKingKing PowerUnico

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