In general, many watches are designed to appeal to the widest possible audience, avoiding any risk of offending enthusiasts. Hublot has never adhered to this approach, instead embracing a bold visual spirit that prioritizes spectacle above all else. In its latest model, the brand elevates this spirit of bold spectacle to new heights by combining some of its most vibrant gemstone embellishments with a stunning skeletonized dial design and a tourbillon mechanism crafted for maximum visual drama. The new Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Rainbow is certainly not for everyone, but it is one of the brand's most extravagant visual and mechanical creations to date.
The multifaceted integrated case of the Big Bang is a cornerstone of Hublot's modern lineup, available in a wide range of sizes, finishes, and materials. However, for the Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Rainbow, the brand presents perhaps its wildest iteration. The upper side of the case, lugs, bezel, and 43 mm crown, made of 18-carat white gold or the brand's signature 18K King Gold alloy, are fully encrusted with 150 baguette-cut gemstones, including red rubies, pink sapphires, amethysts, blue topazes, green tsavorites, yellow sapphires, and orange sapphires.
The simple decoration of a watch case of this size and complexity with gemstones is no feat, but each stone is meticulously hand-picked for color to create a continuous rainbow spectrum across the case, and this process takes over 1,200 man-hours. To maintain the integrated bracelet design, the rainbow gradient pattern extends over the entire gem-set bracelet, creating a continuous spectrum around the owner's wrist.
While the gem-setting work creates an undeniably theatrical appearance in photos, the cut sides of the Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Rainbow case remain gem-free for contrasting mirror polishing.
In the white gold and King Gold models, Hublot complements the case with a sapphire caseback to preserve the dramatic floating appearance of the skeletonized movement. Although the water resistance of the Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Rainbow is only 30 meters, it is unlikely that any of these ultra-valuable models will ever see open water.
Strictly speaking, the Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Rainbow model has no dial; under the sapphire crystal, the skeletonized tourbillon movement is almost fully visible. Except for two partial rehaults on the '3 o'clock' and '9 o'clock' sides, where another 30 baguette-cut gemstones are added to continue the rainbow gradient, the only concession to a dial or overall functionality is the brand's signature wide semi-skeletonized tube of the Big Bang line. Everything else is devoted to the movement, which, thanks to a series of three nearly invisible transparent sapphire bridges, creates the impression of a fully floating gear train.
However, the floating gear train effect is only the beginning of the visual spectacle of the movement, as the visual weight distribution is primarily balanced between elements at the '12 o'clock' and '6 o'clock' positions. At the 12 o'clock barrel, there is a bumper-style rotor engraving made of 18-carat white gold or 18-carat King Gold, which is the only overt indication of the Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Rainbow. Its counterbalance is the 6 o'clock tourbillon with a clean round bridge and a relatively simple three-spoke cage. All other elements of the movement, from the thin ruthenium skeleton bridges to the fine and open gear train, are designed to provide maximum lightness and airiness in the first images.
Viewed from the back of the case, the HUB6035 automatic tourbillon movement in the Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Rainbow follows the same visual philosophy as the front, but the results are drastically different. Here, the focus is on the gear train, and these elements create an impression of greater visual complexity compared to the front. Here, the brand also emphasizes the finishing technique, as all the jewel shells feature brilliant polished chamfers. As for the specifications, the HUB6035 model provides a 72-hour power reserve at a frequency of 21,600 beats per hour.
Even more than the case, the integrated bracelet of the Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Rainbow is a showcase for pure, unadulterated spectacle with gemstones. 304 invisible baguette-cut gemstones with a total weight of 23.6 carats are impressive in themselves, but the continuous rainbow spectrum winding diagonally across the bracelet elevates the design to a new level of luxury. Both the bracelet design and the rainbow pattern smoothly transition into the watch case, and even the butterfly-style folding clasp is completely concealed by the continuous pattern.
The Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Rainbow, with its labor-intensive gemstone setting totaling 484 stones and nearly 36 carats, is a striking example of horological shock and awe even without considering the skeletonized tourbillon movement. While this ultra-maximalist appearance may not be to everyone's taste, the craftsmanship behind its creation is undeniably impressive.
The Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Rainbow is now available through official retailers for $790,000 USD. For more detailed information, visit the brand's website.