Hublot Big Bang Reloaded: In-Depth Review

Few Swiss watch brands can be described as both young and devoted to contemporary innovations as Hublot.

Founded in 1980 by Carlo Crocco, the company built its unique identity not on centuries-old traditions, but on one provocative decision - combining a gold case with a rubber strap, which at the time seemed almost heretical in the world of high watch fashion. Even the brand's name, borrowed from the French word 'porthole', reflected the concept with a bezel fastened by visible screws. This contradiction between luxury and informality, polish and industrial design became the foundation of Hublot's philosophy - 'Art of Fusion', which still characterizes the brand better than any slogan.

The History of Modern Hublot

The modern phase of Hublot's development begins in the mid-2000s. In 2004, Jean-Claude Biver joined the company, and in 2005 the Big Bang was unveiled at Baselworld - a model that transformed the initial idea into a louder and more expressive design with a multi-layered case construction, exposed fastening elements, and bold material combinations.

Five years later, the Unico appeared - Hublot's first in-house caliber with a flyback chronograph function, where the column mechanism visible from the dial side became not just a technical detail but part of the watch's visual identity. For a brand often perceived as being oriented towards appearance, this was an important step: mechanics became an element of expressiveness.

New at Watches & Wonders 2026 - Big Bang Reloaded

The 2026 novelty - Big Bang Reloaded - logically fits into the brand's development context. This model does not attempt to reinvent Hublot but rather reasserts the formula that made the brand unique. After the early 2026 release of the Big Bang Original Unico with a closed dial, Reloaded returns to an open architecture and reworks it around the mechanism itself.

According to Hublot, the watch was 'rebuilt from the inside out', which without marketing terms means: this is a more mechanically-oriented version of the open Big Bang Unico, not a new complicated model or entirely new design.

Case

Big Bang Reloaded is a story of materials, and here the brand sounds most authentic. Instead of one model, a family of five watches is presented, united by several signature solutions: titanium and black ceramic, All Black ceramic, blue ceramic, dark green ceramic, and Magic Gold. This is important because the collection simultaneously serves as a compact history lesson of modern Hublot.

The All Black concept marks its 20th anniversary in 2026, Magic Gold - 15 years, and the latter remains one of the few Hublot inventions with a serious scientific basis - this scratch-resistant 18-carat alloy was developed in collaboration with the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL). The familiar case measuring 44 mm in diameter and 14.5 mm in thickness retains water resistance of 100 meters and the signature One Click strap system.

Individual models represent different variations of one idea. The titanium-ceramic version is the most straightforward embodiment of the concept and refers to the first Big Bang Unico from 2013. All Black remains the most conceptually 'Hublot' model, relying on the famous idea of 'visibility through invisibility'. The blue and dark green ceramic models are color experiments demonstrating Hublot's confidence in vibrant ceramic case executions. The Magic Gold model is the obvious flagship among the series options.

Dial

Big Bang Reloaded is less focused on standard skeletonization and more on highlighting specific chronograph elements. The column mechanism at the '6 o'clock' position has become more prominent, the coupling at '8 o'clock' is specially highlighted, the chronograph counter at '3 o'clock' is reworked, and the date is now located between '4' and '5 o'clock'. A new chronograph hand and a colored ring on the button at the '4 o'clock' position add visual expressiveness to the flyback function.

Movement

The biggest change is in the presentation of the HUB1280 Unico caliber. Hublot emphasizes that four of the five patented innovations of the movement are now visible through the watch's architecture: on the dial - dual oscillating couplings and a constant pressure system for the minute counter; on the case back - a zero-friction wheel blocker and a fine balance adjustment system. The movement retains all the familiar characteristics of the Big Bang Unico: a 72-hour power reserve, silicon escapement, flyback function, and always visible column mechanism.

Strap

Big Bang Reloaded comes with two straps: a fabric one in the color of the case and an additional black rubber strap.

Final Verdict

Overall, the Big Bang Reloaded releases are not perceived as a change of course for the brand but as a confirmation of what Hublot does best: striking material combinations, highly noticeable mechanics, and watches that catch the eye immediately. This remains an effective representation of modern Hublot.

Price and Availability of Hublot Big Bang Reloaded

The Hublot Big Bang Reloaded model is already available at Hublot boutiques worldwide.

Technical Specifications

This review highlights the key features of the Hublot Big Bang Reloaded, emphasizing the brand's innovative approach to design and mechanics, and demonstrates how modern technologies combine with traditional Swiss watchmaking to create a unique product in demand on the global market.