This Baselworld 2016 was definitely a big year for Hublot. Along with the launch earlier this year with the new Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire, Hublot decided to also launch a sibling of this crazy watch, in an 'All Black' version. Sapphire —an extremely difficult material to machine—has until now been reserved for one-of-a-kind pieces or very private collections. After its ambitious Hublot MP05 “LaFerrari” Sapphire project, Hublot is capitalizing on the challenge that it has just met and asserting its expertise in sapphire cutting by interpreting it in a series of 500 pieces each of the Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire and the Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire 'All Black'. The case middle, bezel and back of the new Big Bang Unico Sapphire pieces, is cut from blocks of sapphire, a material which is almost as hard and scratch-resistant as diamond —9 on the Mohs scale as opposed to 10 for diamond. With a case size of 45 mm the new Hublot Sapphire pieces reinterpret the history of the Big Bang, literally with a bang.

Hublot has called on the expertise of a Swiss specialist as part of an exclusive partnership to develop the unique material. Only a few pieces forming the spine of the watch are made from titanium: the screws, the crown, which is over-molded with silicon, and the deployant buckle. Its skeleton dial, made from transparent resin, reveals all the gears of the proprietary Unico HUB1242 movement and its finishes.

Available in a 500-piece limited edition the Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire and Sapphire All Black are water-resistant to 50 meters. A minimalist style, a very light timepiece, an inevitable new trend.

Complementing its ethereal silhouette, the watches are fitted with transparent structured lined rubber straps matching the color of the sapphire crystal cases. The strap is almost invisible as the skin can be seen through it.

Powering the new Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire ref. 411.JX.4802.RT and the Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire 'All Black' ref. 411.JB.4901.RT is the in-house Hublot automatic flyback chrono movement HUB 1242 UNICO. The movement with black PVD treatment features a column wheel and double clutch mechanism visible on the dial side. The movement provides a power reserve of 3 days —72 hours.

On the wrist, the watch wears true to its size and quite light. While we didn't put it on our scale as we typically do, we could tell that either one of the watches weights less than a 100 grams for sure. The watches wear extremely cool and fashionable on the wrist, and is the type of watches that would go perfectly well while attending a Tiesto or ATB concert on a warm summer evening.

Sticker Price $57,900 USD Clear Sapphire and $64,000 USD Sapphire 'All Black'. For more info on Hublot click here.