What is the most popular brand right now? Ask anyone in the watch industry and the answer will likely be Hublot. In addition to clever marketing, the brand is adept at capturing trends and improving the quality of its products every year. Given this, its current success is hardly surprising. Hublot has once again introduced attractive new products in 2020. The latest model, the Big Bang Integral, will be available to see at the Hublot boutique in Isetan Shinjuku (it has not yet arrived as of April 5th).
The highlight of 2020 is the Big Bang with a bracelet
Text by Masayuki Hirota (Chronos-Japan)
A brand new boutique has opened at Isetan Shinjuku
Hublot has enjoyed great success worldwide. It had been operating as a Hublot corner at the Isetan Shinjuku store for a long time, but reopened on June 19, 2019, as the fourth boutique in Japan. The sales floor area has been expanded to 27 square meters, and the store interior combines a solid gray-based interior with pop art, and has an open entrance that makes it easy to enter. Of course, the extensive lineup that can only be found at a directly managed boutique is also a point of interest.
Located on the 5th floor of the Isetan Shinjuku Main Building in the watch section, this is the fourth Hublot boutique in Japan. It offers the expertise and extensive inventory you expect from a boutique, as well as a wide selection of straps.
Address: 3-14-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Phone number: 03-3352-1111 (main number)
Business hours: 10:00-20:00 (same as Isetan Shinjuku store)
*Please note that business days and hours may change in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Big Bang Integral
As you'd expect from a boutique, the Hublot Boutique at Isetan Shinjuku is always the first to stock new releases. One watch worth noting is the new bracelet model, the Integral, which is the first addition to the Big Bang. As it was only added in the 15th anniversary of the model, the watch is extremely well-made. The smaller case also makes it easier to wear on slimmer wrists.
Ref. 451.NX.1170.NX. The long-awaited bracelet model is the Integral. The titanium and ceramic case models are lightweight and comfortable to wear. This collection is extremely well-crafted, including the edge treatment. The shape of the push buttons has changed, but the Unico-like excellent repairability remains unchanged. Automatic winding (Cal. HUB1280). 43 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Ti (diameter 42mm, thickness 13.45mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. 2,220,000 yen (excluding tax).
As the name "Integral" suggests, the bracelet is completely integrated with the watch. Hublot's specialty, interchangeable straps, were not adopted, likely due to a desire for robustness. While they could have adopted interchangeable straps, Hublot likely preferred the robustness of a sports watch. As a result, the bracelet for this model was made from lightweight titanium (Ti) and ceramics, as well as the heavier 18K King Gold (18KKG).
Compared to the previous bracelet that also used composite resin (which was produced in very limited quantities), the Integral bracelet is of a higher level of refinement. In fact, this is the first Big Bang bracelet, and the parts are precisely polished, with the links having very little play. In addition, the lightweight titanium and ceramic model has a good balance between the weight of the watch and the bracelet, making it more comfortable to wear than you'd expect. Hublot must have put a lot of effort into the bracelet.
Ref. 451.OX.1180.OX. It's typical of Hublot to add an 18K gold bracelet to their first model. Almost everything is 18K, giving it the weight befitting a luxury model. The bracelet is angular, but the edges are rounded and it feels pleasant to the touch. An extremely well-crafted model. Automatic (Cal. HUB1280). 43 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. 18K King Gold (diameter 42mm, thickness 13.45mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. 556 million yen (excluding tax).
The existing Big Bang and the new Integral may look similar, but they are completely different. The case structure is the familiar "sandwich" design, made from a single material: titanium, 18K gold, and ceramic. The only exceptions are the lugs around the bezel and the crown, which are made from composite resin, just like before.
As a result of integrating the bracelet and case, there is no longer a button to remove the strap, and the lugs around the bezel no longer have any screws to secure it. The pushers have also been simplified from the 05 model, and the indices have been changed to slimmer bars, resulting in a watch that, while similar in appearance to the Big Bang, has undergone significant changes. All of these watches are regular models, with the exception of the all-black ceramic version. However, as a popular Hublot, and especially as a bracelet model, they are sure to be highly sought after. If you're interested, be quick. However, due to the spread of COVID-4, they have yet to arrive in stock as of April 5th.
Reference 451.CX.1140.CX. An all-black model, typical of Hublot. Its small size makes it extremely comfortable to wear. Automatic (Cal. HUB1280). 43 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve approximately 72 hours. Ceramic (diameter 42mm, thickness 13.45mm). Water resistant to 10 bar. Limited to 500 pieces worldwide. 244 million yen (excluding tax).
Contact information: Hublot Boutique Isetan Shinjuku Tel. 03-3352-1111 (main number)
