When it comes to men's fashion, a luxe timepiece is an accessory that not only tells time but also elevates your look instantly. When it comes to investing in a watch, look for one that is an embodiment of your own personal style. Just like the acclaimed international artiste, Bollywood and Hollywood heartthrob, and the Zee Zest Digital Cover star Ali Fazal sporting a fascinating timepiece by Hublot on his wrist.
The Swiss luxury brand, Hublot, slays fashion trends this summer by launching a brand-new colour, purple, in their iconic Big Bang line—powered by the in-house Unico movement. The watch, slated for a June launch worldwide, was specially flown down to Mumbai in early May for the shoot with Fazal, and we were delighted.
I remember having met the visionary CEO and chairman of Hublot, Jean-Claude Biver, in his modest office in Nyon way back in 2005—just before he launched the iconic Big Bang collection. Still located in the same small town, roughly half an hour away from Geneva, Hublot has grown manifolds and operates out of a much bigger office and multiple manufacturers. Mr. Biver had painstakingly explained the concept of how rubber that comes from plants and gold that is found underground can only be brought together by a huge force (a big bang). Hublot’s fascination for the ‘Art of Fusion’ stems from the basic philosophy of coming together of two dissimilar things with the help of a strong external force.
The Big Bang line has never looked back and has today given Hublot an identity of being a brand that stands for celebration, fun, and happy times, for a generation that is busy giving shape to a completely new world order and necessarily doesn’t want to glorify the past.
When it comes to materials, rubber and gold are still an identifiable DNA of the brand, though Hublot has since invested heavily into metallurgy—and now uses avant-garde materials like magic gold (a special alloy of 18k gold that is scratch-proof), coloured ceramics, and high-grade titanium. The third pillar of the brand is the development of the in-house Unico movement, which was first integrated commercially into the Big Bang models in 2013. So, when you see a colourful Big Bang in green or red ceramic, be assured the heart or the movement ticking inside the watch is also powered by a great movement.
What makes the new Hublot timepiece special is the fact that it stays en vogue with its bright, trendy colours that add a refreshing touch to men's wardrobe, and breaks away from the classic neutrals. When you look around the fashion weeks around the world, the biggest trend gracing the runways this year is colour blocking. This fresh, colourful approach has inspired Hublot's new "Summer in the City" campaign as well as the new Summer edition of the iconic Big Bang Unico, in a breathtaking all-purple look!
Staying true to its avant-grade philosophy, the Big Bang Unico Summer Purple uses lightweight aluminium that makes the watch a delight for its wearer. The anodised, satin-finished and polished case in purple has been made possible using a process that guarantees impeccable durability and offers remarkable protection from scratches and impacts. And the 42 mm case makes it perfect for men to wear it with ease and also make an impression.
For those who love the craft of watchmaking, at the heart of the Big Bang Unico Summer is the HUB1280 manufacture calibre, a chronograph movement whose column wheel is visible through the dial. It has a power reserve of 72 hours, good enough to keep the watch in the cupboard over the weekend and still find it running. The hands and indices are in the same shade of purple, enhanced with touches of luminescent white.
At the forefront of innovation for the comfort and convenience of the wearer, Hublot offers the Big Bang Unico Summer with two strap options in the same all-purple colour. The first takes the form of a Velcro strap with matching stitching which is closed with a sports clasp. The second adopts the brand's signature natural rubber. Both bracelets feature the brand’s signature One-Click system, an interchangeable clasp system patented by Hublot.
The Big Bang Unico Summer Purple will have a unisex appeal (women love big dials too) and will be available in a limited edition of 200 pieces. From this month, the watch will be sold on Hublot's e-Boutique and in the brand's 125 physical boutiques, located in the most iconic and exclusive cities worldwide, including Mumbai. The watch is priced at 1,7,55,600 INR.
Considering Hublot is the timekeeper of many sporting events including the upcoming FIFA World CupTM and engages with some of the finest ambassadors like Pelé, Kylian Mbappé, Usain Bolt, and Novak Djokovic—I wonder who among them will wear the Big Bang Summer Purple on their wrist at Hublot’s VIP box at Qatar.
Mitrajit Bhattacharya is India's foremost luxury watch expert & Founder, The Horologists.