Hublot's engineers and chemists embarked on a quest to create the ideal harmony between movement and case. Through this research, the Manufacture has mastered synthetic sapphire production, harnessing its unique aesthetic qualities in watchmaking to transform each timepiece into an artistic masterpiece. The Hublot Big Bang Unico Water Blue Sapphire ref. 421.JL.4890.RT is delivered with a transparent water-blue rubber strap and a fully visible movement on the dial side.
The sapphire crystal has revolutionized the world of luxury watchmaking, particularly when used for entire watch cases rather than just the traditional crystal covering the dial. These transparent cases offer a stunning combination of beauty, durability, and technical prowess that has captivated watch enthusiasts worldwide. Sapphire crystal used in watchmaking is a synthetic material composed of aluminum oxide —Al₂O₃— that's been crystallized under extreme heat and pressure. The resulting material is incredibly hard—registering 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond—making it virtually scratch-proof. This exceptional hardness, combined with optical clarity, makes it an ideal but challenging material for watchmaking.
Several luxury watchmakers have mastered this challenging material with pioneering brands like Hublot, Richard Mille, CVSTOS, Greubel Forsey, and MB&F.
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Water Blue Sapphire features a fully polished water-blue sapphire crystal case measuring 44 mm in diameter and a sapphire crystal dial with blue accents matching the color of the case. Powering this Hublot Big Bang Unico Water Blue Sapphire is Hublot's in-house HUB1280 UNICO automatic movement with flyback chronograph, column-wheel mechanism, and a power reserve of 72 hours.
The primary attraction of sapphire cases is their transparency, which transforms watches into three-dimensional showcases for their intricate movements. This "invisible case" concept allows watchmakers to highlight their mechanical artistry in unprecedented ways, creating an uninterrupted visual experience from every angle. The extreme difficulty in manufacturing sapphire cases makes them among the most expensive watch case materials available. A sapphire-cased watch typically commands a significant premium over the same model in traditional materials like steel or gold, often costing tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. On the wrist, a big favorite as we love sapphire crystal cases.
Sticker Price USD 138,000. For more info on Hublot click here.
