Another exceptional piece released this year at Baselworld 2015 is a Hublot Grande Complication that fuses tradition and modernity. The new Hublot Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar is the quintessence of the watchmaker's art in a Big Bang case and the first Perpetual Calendar for the brand. The new from Baselworld 2015 Hublot Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar sums up Hublot's approach perfectly when it comes to fusing tradition and modernity. Celebrating the 10th anniversary of its iconic Big Bang model, Hublot is revisiting a Grande Complication. Its manufacture Unico movement forms the basis of this exceptional calibre; here we see the fusion of three major complications: the chronograph, the perpetual calendar and the moon phase. The chronograph and calendar module has been completely redesigned and bears Hublot's hallmarks and finishes. Its skeleton movement is styled with the same look as the Aero, with an anthracite ruthenium coating, satin-finished steel elements and micro-blasted main plates and bridges. Available in 18K King Gold or Titanium, this new watch marks a new chapter in the history of Hublot.
With its sapphire crystal dial and the skeletonized movement fully visible underneath, the new Hublot Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar overlaps chronograph counters with perpetual calendar indications by using two different types of hands. While a white tipped hand marks the perpetual calendar indications, a red tipped hand keeps track of the chronograph. The days of the week along with the 12-hour chrono register are positioned at 6 o'clock, the months and leap years at 9 o'clock along with the 30-minute chrono register and the date at 12 o'clock. The moon phase indicator is positioned at 3 o'clock so that two moons appear to alternate beneath the sapphire, part of which is in fumé glass. While we praise Hublot for releasing their first Perpetual Calendar and we think the watch is really good looking, readability is compromised by too many elements going on on the dial.
Measuring 45 mm in diameter, the Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar is available in a King Gold version —an alloy of red gold and platinum exclusive to Hublot— or in a titanium version. The piece is paired with a ribbed black rubber strap fitted with the one click interchangeable strap system and a deployant buckle in black PVD titanium with inserts in Ceramic for the titanium version and in 18K King Gold for the gold reference.
The automatic calibre HUB 1270 Unico fully developed and manufactured by Hublot, is an automatic chronograph and perpetual calendar movement with oscillating weight in black satin-finished tungsten and which provides a power reserve of 3 days when fully wound. The calibre is of course visible via the display case back. While this new movement is for sure an horological feat, the decoration of the bridges and overall appearance falls short for a watch of this calibre and price.
On the wrist, the Hublot Big Bang Chrono Perpetual Calendar wears true to its size and quite nicely. Unfortunately reading the chrono and the perpetual calendar is somewhat of a challenge due to the cluttered dial and the skeletonized movement that while it is a feat in its own, it creates more clutter at the end of the day.
Sticker Price $85,100 USD for 18K King Gold and $66,700 for Titanium. For more info on Hublot click here.
