Hublot’s Art of Fusion Exemplified for the 20th Anniversary of Big Bang

Originally founded in 1980, Hublot has always been known for its signature porthole shaped bezel and for defying all odds by being the first to equip its 18-karat gold luxury watch with a rubber strap. But that was just the start of a decades-long commitment to pioneering endeavors and a revolutionary perspective. Over the years, Hublot’s evolutions continued, and the brand became singularly defined by its motto: the Art of Fusion. 

One of the most legendary series from the brand, though, is the Big Bang, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.  First unveiled in 2005, the Big Bang was characterized by reshaped geometrics and layered construction.  

On countless occasions, Hublot has revealed Big Bang watches that straddle the edges of a futuristic attitude, bold colors and visionary materials. In its workshops in Nyon, Switzerland, Hublot has its own dedicated laboratory for developing new high-tech materials and a painter’s palette of colors for those high-tech substances. From vividly colored ceramics and multi-colored ceramics (a world first this year) to sapphire cases, and proprietary gold alloys with near-indestructible qualities, and even concrete, Hublot has repeatedly achieved what seemed impossible.  

Many of these innovations debuted in Big Bang watches. Now, for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Big Bang, Hublot once again surprises and delights its followers with a host of new Big Bang pieces that not only blend innovation, high-tech materials and astute watchmaking, but also indulge the guilty watch-loving pleasures of its fans by fusing significant Big Bang inventions and designs with its current Big Bang Unico series. 

The five 20th anniversary models recall the first Big Bangs but in a modern and intuitive manner. They include the Big Bang Titanium Ceramic, King Gold Ceramic, Red Ceramic, All Black and Magic Gold – all with a redesigned layered case, knurled bezel edges, and Arabic numerals. All are powered by the Unico automatic manufacture chronograph movement with a 20th anniversary rotor. Even the rubber straps feature a tread lozenge pattern found on early Big Bangs. The new watches, though, include Hublot’s One Click easy strap-change mechanism.  

Beyond the anniversary pieces, new editions with new materials include the Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle, a watch dedicated to the New York flagship and boasting a concrete case; the Big Bang Unico and Big Bang One Click in Petrol Blue and Mint Green Ceramic, and the Big Bang Unico Water Blue Sapphire in translucent blue sapphire. Each of these materials takes years to perfect in new colors – Hublot makes it look easy. 

Hublot’s approach to celebration is as unconventional as its watchmaking.  For instance, to celebrate the anniversary of the Big Bang, Hublot didn’t just throw a party or make announcements, instead it turned to Karl Lagerfeld’s pampered cat, Choupette, to star in its head-turning “Own It” campaign.   

While the anniversary highlights Hublot’s most audacious innovations, the Big Bang collection remains versatile. For those who prefer understatement, the line includes executions in steel or gold, some accented with diamonds or gemstones. This breadth underscores the collection’s duality — at once boundary-pushing and provocative, but also timeless and refined.