Green is the color of money, right? If so, shouldn't green be the most expensive color?
At Hublot, that's not the case. The new Hublot Big Bang Unico Dark Green Ceramic 42mm is priced €5,800 less than the same watch in orange. Hublot explained why during the Watches and Wonders exhibition, but this story didn't sway my choice between these two new models. I never thought I'd call fully colored Big Bangs 'chic,' but by the end of this article, I might do just that.
When I wrote the introductory article about the three new Hublot Big Bang Unico creations, I thought the monochromatic Ice Bang model, presented as an online exclusive, would be the most interesting, followed by the vibrant Orange Ceramic version, and lastly, the Big Bang Unico Dark Green Ceramic. At the Hublot presentation during Watches and Wonders, I realized I was wrong in my choice. The darkest of the three models is now in third place, the orange remains in the same spot, and the previous number three is now in pole position. I'll tell you why.
You Simply Can't Stop Touching the Hublot Big Bang Unico Dark Green Ceramic 42mm
We'll discuss the watch's appearance in a moment. First, let's talk about the fabulous tactile sensation of the Big Bang Unico Dark Green Ceramic 42mm (441.GX.5210.RX). My colorblind fingers find both the green and orange versions sensational to touch. There's something special about polished ceramic combined with a soft rubber strap. You may remember that early Big Bang models without ceramic had rather sharp edges. With modern ceramic Big Bangs, it's different. They're smooth and soft to the touch. They give a very luxurious feel - even chic?
'Chic' isn't the first word that comes to mind when you open your eyes holding the colorful Big Bang. But the polished dark green ceramic with distinct technical black highlights doesn't hit you in the face. The orange 441.CU.5910.RX does. Both models are limited to 250 pieces, but despite sharing a presentation due to their common DNA, there are several significant differences between them. Yes, the first is color. And this shade has great significance not only for the much louder appearance of the watch but also for its price. Orange is more expensive than green.
Why Orange is More Expensive Than Green
The premium price for the Big Bang Unico Dark Green Ceramic 42mm is €25,000. The orange version, however, costs €30,800. A Hublot spokesperson explained that orange ceramic is incredibly difficult to produce. Achieving the exact result took time, money, and effort, and the buyer pays the price - a premium of €5,800, to be exact. That's quite a sum for a watch with such a bold and loud shade that it may quickly tire you.
Nevertheless, the orange and green Big Bang Ceramic models are likely not the only 'eye candies' for the target audience. And this also completely changes our view of these watches. But since this is WatchTested, I won't consider them as fashion watches (although Hublot isn't afraid to call itself a fashion brand). Instead, I will evaluate the ceramic Big Bangs as serious watches. And the dark green model is serious enough to be taken... well, seriously.
Serious Internals
Inside the 42mm case beats a serious chronograph movement, visible through the sapphire window on the case back and the green with black skeletonized dial. The MHUB1280 caliber with black coating and a frequency of 4 Hz is an automatic chronograph with a column wheel, flyback function, and a power reserve of about 72 hours. It consists of 354 components, including a silicon Swiss lever escapement. The tungsten rotor is also darkened, and there are several finishing options to give the movement a beautiful appearance. On the dial, you'll find a neatly integrated date in a subdial at the '3 o'clock' position. The way Hublot handled this task may appeal to both die-hard date window haters and their softer opponents. It makes me wonder if Hublot customers really think about date windows?
Big Bang on the Wrist
On the wrist, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Dark Green Ceramic doesn't make a strong impression. Its color scheme is quite subtle and sophisticated. The combination of the deep green shade and sober black creates a camo-like feel without an explicit camouflage pattern. The proportions fit well with my 18.5 cm wrist. The case measures 42 mm in width, 14.5 mm in thickness, and 52 mm from tip to tip. It's a bit long, but combined with the flexible rubber strap, the watch doesn't look or feel odd on my wrist.
And if you overlook the color, which, although dark and moody, still dominates their appearance, you can discover many pleasant details. For instance, the angular lines combined with six titanium screws with black coating in the shape of an H on the bezel create an elegant technical/industrial touch. Additionally, the watch case is very technical and interesting to look at. Its individual parts of different colors and shapes come together to create a very dynamic construction.
So is the Hublot Big Bang Unico Dark Green Ceramic Chic?
When you're in the market for high-end colored ceramic watches, you can't overlook Hublot. Of course, if you're after something dark green, IWC offers the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition “Woodland.” However, these €12,900 watches have a completely different image and look. The fact that the IWC Pilot’s Watch is half the price of the Hublot Big Bang probably doesn't matter much either.
Now let me answer the question, is the Hublot Big Bang Unico Dark Green Ceramic chic? More precisely, after this little intermezzo. It was Patek Philippe that made me think about the modern meaning and perception of the concept of 'chic' when the brand released the World Time Date 5330G and Nautilus 5980/60G watches on denim straps (Hublot was the first luxury watch brand to introduce real denim as a strap material in 2013). It's still undecided whether the new denim Pateks are chic. But if you don't think so, a simple strap change will alter them. These ceramic Hublot Big Bangs are just too green to completely change them with another strap.
'Enough already! Are these chic watches?' No, of course, they're not! Despite the dark green shade, which I associate with the English countryside, Land Rovers, and Harris Tweed jackets, it's very shiny, ceramic, partially transparent, and the rubber strap just doesn't fit. These Big Bangs are still too loud. Nonetheless, I consider them cool watches - very expensive, yes, but cool. And if the coolness factor is more important to you than the price, then these Hublot Big Bang Unico Dark Green Ceramic 42mm might be the perfect choice for you. Try pairing them with a Harris Tweed jacket.