Hands On: Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon
Hublot is already a pioneer when it comes to colouring and shaping of its sapphires cases. This year Hublot is taking the mastery of sapphire crystal, an ultra-resistant material which is difficult to machine, to the next level. The Hublot in-house skeleton tourbillon movement is laid bare, held by a strip cut in sapphire!
The new Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon is completely transparent, including the case, dial, strap and tourbillon movement. The crystalline connections disappear to reveal the skeleton mechanics of the tourbillon, for which the cage is held in place by a strip cut from sapphire. Hublot’s innovation and research has once more broken through a glass ceiling when it comes to usage of sapphire crystal in watchmaking.
The magic of the invisible
This Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon forged from sapphire creates absolute transparency. Sapphire is the hardest and most durable material after diamond. For the first time, its skeleton movement and see-through connections are revealed through ‘invisibility’, where only a few metallic gears sketch out the contours. All of the parts are clear: the sapphire middle, bezel and the back of the case reveal crystal mechanics that seem to float. The dial and its numbers, index and power reserve indicator are all opalescent and flown over by perforated hands.
This 99-edition manufacture tourbillon represents a breakthrough in the technical and aesthetic use of sapphire. In addition to its 45 mm case, cut from a block of sapphire, the tourbillon strip is designed in the same material, which is almost indestructible. The new Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon represents the Art of Fusion between clarity and purity. On the wrist the Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon appears invisible with a transparent rubber strap, whilst revealing the inner mechanics of the watch.
Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon
Technical specifications:
Reference: 405.JX.0120.RT
Diameter: 45 mm
Thickness: 14.25 mm
Water Resistance: 3 ATM (30m)
Case: Polished sapphire crystal
Bezel: Polished sapphire crystal; With 6 H-shaped titanium screws
Glass: Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment
Case back: Polished sapphire crystal
Dial: Sapphire crystal
Movement: HUB6016 manufacture manual-winding power reserve skeleton tourbillon movement
Number of Components: 175 (25 rubies)
Frequency: 3 Hz (21'600 A/h)
Power Reserve: Approx. 115 Hours
Strap: Transparent structured lined rubber straps
Buckle: Titanium deployant buckle clasp
The price for the Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Tourbillon is $148,000limited edition of 99 pieces and $190,000for the one with a diamond-set bezel, which is also limited to 99 pieces.
