To celebrate ten years since Hublot’s iconic Big Bang watch design,  the brand announced 3 new Hublot BIG BANG Anniversary models at 2015 Baselworld. Ten years ago, Hublot came to Baselworld and changed the face of watchmaking with the introduction of The Big Bang,  a watch that combined unusual materials in a striking contrast which appears to bring together past and future.

Hublot has wowed us at Baselworld plenty of times. In 2012, they introduced what was then the “world’s most expensive watch” at the global annual watch show. This time in addition to several other models, they debuted three new BIG BANG Anniversary Models: the Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold, the Big Bang Tourbillon 5-day Power Reserve Indicator Full Magic Gold and the Big Bang Unico “10 years” Haute Joaillerie – which consists of 10 bejeweled models priced at $1,000,000 dollars each.

“Nothing can be born without a good idea,” states Jean-Claude Biver. His good idea came in 2005, when he came up with the name “BIG BANG”. In fact, the term “BIG BANG” is based on an idea which is central to the art of fusion: the combining of objects and materials which never appear together under normal conditions, for example rubber and gold. The former is harvested from a tree, the latter mined from deep inside the earth. While they never normally appear together, the BIG BANG combines these materials in a striking contrast which appears to bring together past and future. The BIG BANG is based on the element of surprise at encountering materials that are not normally found together: carbon and gold, ceramic and steel, denim and diamonds, etc.

The original Big Bang is Hublot’s iconic design, multi-awarded, and first pillar of the Hublot collections:

To illustrate these surprising combinations of materials, it was essential to create a case that was different to traditional three-part models and which comprised more components. With its 70 components, the BIG BANG embodies the concept of luxury, distinguishing itself through a vast range of subtle refinements.

The New Hublot BIG BANG Anniversary models

These “anniversary” models have not been chosen at random: They each feature unique and fundamental Hublot elements.

The Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the BIG BANG, Hublot unveiled a version in Full Magic Gold, the brand’s unique, scratch-resistant 18K gold.

In 2013, the original Big Bang was modified to house the proprietary UNICO movement, a column wheel chronograph with double clutch visible on the dial side – unique in the industry. Its design changed. The screws, push-buttons, crown, indices, numerals and counters underwent both a technical and aesthetic redesign.

Playing on the themes of interchangeability and adaptability, the Big Bang Unico was also equipped with a new, unique “One click” strap attachment system, allowing the strap to be switched extremely quickly and easily while guaranteeing optimal security.

The piece features a powerful and stylish mechanical 45 mm diameter case.

The fusion of materials delivers a watch that is certified 18-karat, yet with a hardness close to 1,000 Vickers – more than twice as strong as standard gold.

Big Bang Tourbillon 5-day Power Reserve Indicator Full Magic Gold

Following the Unico Full Magic Gold, a new Full Magic Gold version of the Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve Indicator was unveiled.

The first Tourbillon in the new generation Big Bang line, with a beautiful skeleton movement and an added practical power reserve indicator function on the dial side.

Designed, developed and produced entirely by Hublot’s micro-mechanics, engineers and watchmakers, this proprietary movement is a traditional tourbillon with a cage measuring 13.6 mm in diameter – a minute tourbillon that performs one revolution every minute – and whose construction featuring a barrette on the dial side ensures its stability.

The Big Bang Unico “10 years” Haute Joaillerie

Finally, an exceptional and unique “anniversary” collection, the Big Bang “10 Years” Haute Joaillerie (high end jewelry). A first for Hublot, the collection includes 10 watches, each priced at $1 million. Four of the luxurious gem-laden watches are shown here. Others will include yellow diamonds, pink diamonds, blue diamonds and other colored gemstone variations. These pieces are exceptional in that, to create them, three of the most complex setting techniques have been used: invisible setting, Clou de Paris setting and rail setting.

Full Black Diamond Version with 653 black baguette diamonds totalling 41.84 carats

Full White Diamond Version with 653 baguette diamonds totalling 40.02 carats

Blue Sapphire version with 653 baguette diamonds and blue baguette sapphires totalling 40.41 carats

Ruby Version with 653 baguette diamonds and baguette rubies totalling 40.93 carats

For the first time at Hublot, the bezel is set with invisible inverted trapeziums. It is the most complex part to set using this method, as there is no material between the baguettes. On each piece, the colour of the flange on the bezel recalls the colour of the indices and the strap push-pieces.

In another first, the counter surrounds on the dial are also stone-set. The complete dial, including the stone-set indices, comprises 62 baguettes.

The piece features a total of 132 baguettes with invisible setting, 127 set on a rail and 394 with a Clou de Paris setting. The piece is completed by a black alligator strap.

400 hours of Research & Development and production, plus 350 hours of setting, are required to create one piece.

Learn more about the other watches Hublot introduced this year at Baselworld here

all images and information courtesy of Hublot