Three unique novelties where ceramic and synthetic sapphire cases are adorned with diamonds.
At the Watches & Wonders salon in Geneva from April 14 to 20, Hublot presented an unusual trio of watches. The Spirit of Big Bang Impact series features cases made from synthetic sapphire, sapphire and osmium, as well as ceramic. For the first time in Hublot's history, a sapphire case is encrusted with diamonds.
The first model with a synthetic sapphire case was introduced by Hublot in 2016. Ten years later, it was adorned with fancy-cut diamonds for the first time. The stone setting in the Spirit of Big Bang Impact Sapphire Jewellery was done as follows: first, holes were cut in the sapphire using a laser, then special polished gold channels were inserted into them, after which the stones were set in these channels.
A total of 145 diamonds are used in the Impact Bang technique pattern. The model is limited to a series of 20 pieces. The estimated cost of the watch is CHF 450,000, €532,00 or $543,000.
In the Spirit of Big Bang Impact Sapphire model, the case (42 x 14.25 mm), bezel, and case back are made of polished sapphire glass. The design, emphasizing full transparency, is complemented by an open dial with an appliqué featuring alternating osmium fragments and rhodium-plated elements.
The watch release is limited to a series of 30 pieces. The estimated cost of the model is CHF 95,000, €112,200 or $114,500.
The Spirit of Big Bang Impact All Black model was released to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the All Black concept. The watch features a case made of polished black ceramic with micro-blasting. The novelty is executed in the spirit of Invisible Visibility philosophy, where the monochrome design unfolds through contrast in finishing. The release is limited to a series of 100 pieces. The estimated cost of the watch is CHF 28,000, €33,100 or $33,700.
All three models share the same size and are equipped with rubber straps and folding clasps. In the sapphire models, the clasp is titanium, and in the ceramic case model, the clasp is made of titanium and ceramic. The watches are powered by the automatic caliber HUB1770 with a power reserve of 50 hours. Features of the mechanism include a date indicator at the 1 o'clock position and a moon phase indicator at 6 o'clock.