In 2025, Hublot's Big Bang collection will celebrate its 20th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the brand has revived the original model. Hiroyuki Suzuki, editor of Chronos Japan, delves into this new watch, which combines the original design with the Unico logo.
Text by Hiroyuki Suzuki
[Article published on January 21, 2025]
"Big Bang 20th Anniversary" celebrates the 20th anniversary of "Big Bang"
It has been 20 years since the introduction of the Big Bang, which marked a major breakthrough for Hublot. The commemorative limited edition Big Bang 20th Anniversary model celebrates this milestone and is a fusion of the original design and the in-house chronograph Unico.
The lineup includes five models: "Titanium Ceramic," "King Gold Ceramic," the ceramic-plated "Red Magic," the "All Black," which will also celebrate its anniversary next year, and "Full Magic Gold." Each model has a different limited edition, but the limited edition set containing all five watches sold out during the Watches & Wonders event, once again demonstrating the explosive power of the Big Bang.
Automatic movement (Cal. HUB1280). 43 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Ti + black ceramic case (43mm diameter). Water resistant to 100m. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide. Price: 2,849,000 yen (tax included).
Automatic movement (Cal. HUB1280). 43 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. 18K King Gold and black ceramic case (43mm diameter). Water resistant to 100m. Limited to 250 pieces worldwide. Price: 5,269,000 yen (tax included).
Automatic movement (Cal. HUB1280). 43 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Red ceramic case (43mm diameter). Water resistant to 100m. Limited to 100 pieces worldwide. Price: 4,356,000 yen (tax included).
Automatic movement (Cal. HUB1280). 43 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Black ceramic case (43mm diameter). Water resistant to 100m. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide. Price: 3,454,000 yen (tax included).
Automatic movement (Cal. HUB1280). 43 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. 18K Magic Gold case (43mm diameter). Water resistant to 100m. Limited to 100 pieces worldwide. Price: 5,566,000 yen (tax included).
Specifications not found on the "Unico" aircraft
As mentioned earlier, the styling is a redesign of the Big Bang Original (still a current model) with the Unico movement in mind. The carbon-effect closed dial, which was not seen on previous Unico-equipped models, looks rather innovative.
The ceramic bezels on four of the five models feature the same checkered pattern as the original (the remaining Magic Gold model also has the same design), and the pushers have also been redesigned to a square shape like the original. However, while the original's checkered pattern is orthogonal to the horizontal and vertical, the anniversary model uses a diagonal pattern. This design is also carried over to the structured rubber strap, making it one of the icons celebrating the 20th anniversary.
My personal favorites are "Titanium Ceramic" and "King Gold Ceramic"
My personal favorites are the Titanium Ceramic and King Gold Ceramic, which have been upgraded from the original steel material to titanium and from 18KRG to 18K King Gold.
Twenty years after the original was released, the same concept has been followed while the materials have been updated to a modern style, which gives it a nice feel.
There are many subtle changes from the original, such as the addition of a recess on the back of the strap (near the quick-release clip), which was not present on the original. This is a device to prevent the rubber from sticking due to sweat, and it also surpasses the original in terms of overall ease of use. This year's five new models are equipped with a special Unico with a 20th anniversary rotor, but they are so well-made that you'll want to remove it and add them to your permanent collection.
The expected release date is April. As delivery is expected to sell out immediately, we recommend that those who are interested check it out early.
