At the end of 2016, Hublot has just announced an daring new update on a collection of watches that represents the brand’s most important/successful partnership – Ferrari. Three new models showcase some wholesale changes to the Big Bang Ferrari case, pusher, and dial. The changes are said to be designed with more emphasis and inspiration on the Ferrari automobiles themselves.
Back in 2011, the Hublot and Ferrari partnership began, and in 2012 they released the first collection of Hublot Big Bang Unico Ferrari watches. Somewhat 4 years later, the 2016 release of the watches continue the successful theme, but with a look which clearly has the same philosophy as the Italian car manufacturer – a symbol of Italian luxury, exclusivity, performance, design and quality the world over.
The most notable difference of the 2016 Hublot Big Bang Unico Ferrari watch is the completely redesigned and refined dial – which is made up of mostly sapphire crystal over a skeletonized view of the movement. The 60-minute chronograph subdial, which includes a date indicator, is directly inspired by the signature tachometer gauge used on many Ferrari instrument panels. Hublot also offers a new hour markers and hands, whilst also placing the famed prancing horse logo to the 6 o’clock position.
The bezel has also been upgraded, it now has countersunk notches for the bezel screws. This gives the feel of more ‘engineered’ bezel, as opposed to the traditional Hublot Big Bang bezel. The crown and pushers have also been updated. The crown maintains its neat twist and lock system from before, but has an updated look. The pushers have been streamlined ad set into the case and give the look and feel of the pedal from Ferrari car cabins, and are complete with dual red stripes that meet on the crown.
The case dimensions are unchanged at 45mm in diameter and the case retains the innovative quick-release buttons for the straps set into the lug structures. Inside the watch, the robust in-house made UNICO mechanical movement is still ever present. The automatic movement has a flyback chronograph (with a column wheel transmission) and operates at 4Hz with a 72-hour power reserve. The pallet fork and escapement are made from silicon.
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Ferrari watches will be represented by three limited edition pieces. First in titanium, limited to 1,000 pieces and priced at $26,200. Next in black carbon, limited to 500 pieces and priced at $28,300. Lastly, the 18K King Gold (or rose gold) which is limited to 500 pieces and priced at $42,000.
Images courtesy of Hublot