When you think of Hublot, what comes to mind? In the eyes of many, Hublot, born in the 1980s, is a cutting-edge brand in the world of watches. In terms of appearance, most of Hublot's models are very cool. In terms of materials and movements, Hublot has always adhered to the "art of fusion" – merging tradition with tradition, new with tradition, new with new. In short, your imagination of "cutting-edge" can be mapped in Hublot.
At Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024, Hublot presents the new Big Bang collection. Speaking of which, the Big Bang series can be described as the "soul" of Hublot, and in my opinion, the name of the series is borrowed from the Big Bang in cosmology, which is both interesting and ambitious. Of course, it's better to describe it than to talk about it, so let's take a look at how the Hublot Big Bang collection caused a big bang in the watchmaking industry, using the new Big Bang MP-11 in 2024 as an example. (Reference: 911. JL.0129.RX）
Watch Shot:
The biggest highlight of the new Big Bang MP-11 is that for the first time, it uses a new and exclusive aqua blue sapphire material. At Baselworld 2018, the Big Bang MP-11 was unveiled for the first time, one of which was made of transparent sapphire (the other was made of 3D carbon fiber).
The 2024 all-new Big Bang MP-11 watch is based on this, adding a new chemical formula to make transparent sapphire aqua blue. The entire watch is very clear and refreshing, like an ice cube, especially in the hot summer months, which makes it feel quite refreshing.
It's important to look good, but it's not enough to look good. Please note here that the sapphires commonly used to create the case are not natural gemstones, but synthetic sapphires developed in-house. Because natural gemstones are inherently fragile, they are not suitable for use in case making. The new aqua blue sapphire from the laboratory guarantees robustness and is 100% resistant to bumps and scratches.
The case data of the new 2024 Big Bang MP-11 is the same as the previous model: 45 mm in diameter and 14.4 mm thick. Water-resistant to 30 meters.
The large crown is decorated with a spiral pattern to echo the helical wheels hidden in the 3 o'clock position for time setting and winding.
Looking from the side of the watch, you can see that the glass is not smooth, but has a pronounced raised arc. This is because the sapphire mirror fits the shape of the barrel.
This is another highlight of the Big Bang MP-11 – the seven barrels in a row can be seen directly on the dial.
Big Bang MP-11腕表有两大罕见的做法。
Seven barrels are connected together in series coaxially to provide a power reserve of up to 14 days, which is one of the rarity.
In order to maintain the normal thickness of the movement of 10.9 mm (and also to maintain the thickness of the watch), the seven barrels were placed in front of the movement, not inside it. With a helical gearing system, the wheels are at an angle of 90° to each other, thus transmitting power to the gear system of the movement. This is the second rare thing.
The Big Bang MP-11 has a power reserve indicator. Instead of the traditional practice of displaying subdials, Hublot placed a disc at the top of the seven barrels, on which Arabic numerals represent power. The disc rotates once every two weeks (i.e. 14 days). Placing the power display closest to the power source is a natural and innovative approach.
The hours and minutes are displayed at 12 o'clock. The hands and indexes are decorated in aqua blue. At the same time, the hour and minute display dial is matched by a balance wheel at 2 o'clock and a helical wheel from 9 to 10 o'clock, forming three circular resonances.
The watch uses a HUB9011 movement, which is manufactured in-house by the Hublot Manufacture and wound by hand. The movement is equipped with a silicon escapement that minimizes electromagnetic interference. Through the sapphire case back, the bridges and bridges are brushed, brushed and decorated with fish scales, with ruby bearings. Thanks to the skeleton design, the movement's unique mechanical beauty can be felt from both the front and the back.
The all-new 2024 Big Bang MP-11 is presented on an aqua blue rubber strap with a titanium folding clasp.
The official price of the watch is 1,247,000 yuan, and it is limited to 50 pieces.
Summary: Finally, back to the question at the beginning of the article: What comes to mind immediately when you think of Hublot? Regardless of the year in which the brand and the product were born, Hublot is indeed cutting-edge in terms of works. In my opinion, Hublot's "art of fusion" is not only about design, materials and movement technology, but also about "daring to think" and "dare to do". And more importantly, it's practical. Just like the Big Bang MP-11 watch we see today, it is cool, good-looking, durable, and easy to read. (Photo/text: Watch House, Zhang Dalu)