The World Poker Tour —WPT— is the premier name for the internationally televised poker gaming tournaments. Leading innovation in the sport of poker since 2002, WPT ignited the global poker boom with the creation of a unique television show based on a series of high-stakes poker tournaments. To mark the announcement of Hublot's entry into the world of poker, the brand has developed yet another limited edition —in addition to all others— named Big Bang Unico World Poker Tour ref. 411.SX.1170.LR.WPT15 with a design that suitably encapsulates the world of poker. The watch chosen to entice the players was the iconic Big Bang, equipped with the in-house Unico Manufacture Chronograph, unique in the industry for its column wheel and double clutch visible on the dial side. The Hublot Big Bang Unico World Poker Tour is available in a 200-piece limited edition and is fitted with a 45 mm mirror polished and microblasted stainless steel case with a matching mirror polished and microblasted bezel with engravings of the four iconic poker game suits —spade, club, heart and diamond.
The Dial
The skeletonized dial features a matte black 60-minute chrono register with date aperture at 3 o'clock and running seconds subdial at 9 o'clock both with rhodium-plated surrounds. Additionally, the dial features applied mirror polished rhodium-plated Arabic numerals and markers with red luminescent material. The dial is rounded out bu the polished and satin-finished rhodium-plated skeletonized hands also with red luminescent material.
The Bezel
As mentioned earlier, the bezel is mirror polished and microblasted with engravings of the four iconic poker game suits —spade, club, heart and diamond. The bezel is extremely shinny and somewhat 'tacky' looking to be quite honest. This is a watch that screams attention not in a positive way.
Case, Pushers & Strap
The sharp angles and intelligent sandwich system have been retained in the case design, but the strap attachment in particular has been optimized featuring the now famous "One click" system which allows the wearer to switch between a wide choice of straps. The Hublot Big Bang Unico World Poker Tour is supplied with a black rubber and silver alligator strap
with red contrast stitching as well as an additional black and red alligator strap as seen on this hands-on review. The strap is fitted with a black PVD titanium deployant buckle with titanium insert.
The middle composite resin case features a red composite resin lower bezel secured to the main bezel by 4 H-shaped titanium screws. The red lower bezel provides a nice contrasting touch matching the red accents on the dial of the watch. Matching the other micro-blasted surfaces on the case of the watch, the end of the pushers is finished in the same fashion.
The Movement
The Hublot Big Bang Unico World Poker Tour is powered by the Limited Edition is powered by the automatic movement HUB 1242 UNICO, developed and manufactured in-house by Hublot. The movement is a flyback chronograph with a power reserve of approximately 72 hours and 38 jewels. The display case back allows for full view of the calibre and the sapphire crystal on it features the WPT logo.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the watch wears almost true to its size and perhaps slightly bigger and more like a 46 mm watch. Next time you are heading to Las Vegas to play a round of poker with renowned playboy and celebrity poker player Dan Bilzerian, think twice before you strap this watch to your wrist. Since he is all about those Royal Oak Concept APs, you might want to chose something else to be at his level. The Hublot Big Bang Unico World Poker Tour is also available in 18K King Gold in a limited edition of 100 pieces.
Sticker Price $25,200 USD for stainless steel and $45,900 USD for King Gold. For more info on Hublot click here.
