Gold Standard: Hublot Big Bang UNICO King Gold Ceramic

Hublot is the Harley-Davidson of the watch industry. Its success is built on a combination of outrageous style, innovative materials, and an ear-to-the floor sense of the moment that never seems to miss a beat. With the Big Bang UNICO King Gold Ceramic, Hublot has created a showcase for its three great strengths: prestige materials, unrivaled style, and the UNICO manufacture movement.

Arguably the watch industry style leader of the last decade, Hublot joined the exclusive club of “manufacture” watchmakers when it launched its UNICO movement in 2010. Now a full member of an elite cadre that includes the likes of Rolex and Patek Philippe, Hublot continues to set the pace in style while adding a serious infusion of substance.

The 2005 Big Bang established Hublot as a prime-time presence in the luxury watch sector. Well-known for its revolutionary 1980’s union of a gold cases and rubber straps, Hublot found its true calling in the upscale sports chronograph market. While the Big Bang continued to reverberate for half a decade, Hublot’s hitmakers were busy spinning their next chart-topper. The UNICO movement dropped in 2010 on the King Power, and the new chronograph has powered the re-imagined Big Bang since 2012.

And the Big Bang UNICO King Gold Ceramic adds new materials to the mix.

Consider the experience of strapping this watch to one’s wrist for a test ride, Harley-style. At first glance, a burly 45 mm red gold case with jet-black ceramic bezel declares with a hint of menace that this won’t be a routine exercise in modern men’s accessories. The broad-shouldered Hublot features an exceptionally vivid shade of red gold that the company has dubbed “King” gold; it contains unusually high proportions of platinum and copper to ensure a deeper red tint and long-term resistance to the fading that plagues other rose gold watches.

Techno-industrial design cues rule the day on the UNICO’s rugged case. The original Big Bang set the tone, but the UNICO doubles the volume. A full ceramic bezel in anthracite resists scratches and scars that scourge metal bezels on lesser sports watches. Hublot’s signature “H”-shaped bezel bolts and rubber-wrapped crown accent the look, and the ruthenium-coated machinery below the dial radiates attitude like the blackened cylinder heads of a Harley V-Rod. It’s not just a pretty picture; Hublot’s dramatic openworked dial reveals the beating heart of the beast.

Start the engine. Hublot spent the better part of half a decade designing this movement and building the facility that constructs each one. The UNICO is a world-class chronograph with automatic winding, a crisp column wheel pusher action, and anti-magnetic silicon technology that puts it at the bleeding edge of modern watchmaking tech. With a power reserve of 72 hours, this UNICO matches the autonomy of Rolex’s Daytona and ensures the watch won’t die during a weekend on the dresser.

But you won’t be leaving it there. The Big Bang UNICO is the ultimate weekender. With its tough-stuff bezel, long-wearing gold, and ever-ready rubber strap, the UNICO is ready for summer fun.

The natural rubber strap is an Hublot trademark, and it traces the contours of your wrist with a supple compliance that ensures comfort in any weather, hot or cold. It’s one heck of a satisfying “saddle” for our motorcycle metaphor. The strap is a highlight, but the watch’s deployant PVD titanium buckle deserves special mention. Its convenient double-trigger action guards against accidental release while providing a quick and intuitive device for opening the clasp when desired.

Big Bang UNICO’s strap quick-change mechanism is the best in the business, and it has been a trademark of the Big Bang UNICO since the series debuted in 2012 on the Big Bang UNICO Ferrari limited edition. On this King Gold model, the quick release buttons sit unobtrusively on the upper lugs until called to action. Depress the switch, and the titanium-reinforced strap end pops easily from its socket.

Hublot witnessed the booming aftermarket strap culture fueling success at rival Panerai, and the Nyon watchmaker took note. A huge range of Hublot accessory straps is available to reboot the look of the Big Bang UNICO for every occasion. As sporting as it appears on rubber, alternatives transform the Big Bang into a dinner companion, office colleague, and beach buddy as desired.

The 1916 Company is a recognized authority in Hublot watches, and we’ve had the pleasure to handle and evaluate every variant from the original 80’s trailblazers to the MP-series complications. Even in that crowd, the UNICOs are special. The combination of imposing size, rugged style, serious watchmaking cred, and versatile strap options makes this the best Hublot for the money.

This Hublot Big Bang UNICO King Gold Ceramic is being offered with a complete set of factory accessories, papers, and boxes. With no physical signs of previous ownership, full-set integrity, and a price proposition that won’t be beat, this Big Bang is ready to hit the road.