Sharing the spotlight: Hublot, IWC and Tag Heuer

Hublot and BTS’ Jung Kook

The Hublot Big Bang made waves and turned heads when it fused gold and rubber into a 21st-century icon back in 2005. Following its 20th anniversary, the brand now unveils the Big Bang Original Unico, a 2026 evolution that its chief executive officer Julien Tornare describes as the most sculptural and integrated version of the original DNA to date.

Refined to a versatile 43 mm, the case features enhanced ergonomics with curved lugs and a rubber-clad crown. The most significant upgrade is the in-house Unico chronograph calibre, an engineering statement visible through the sapphire caseback.

The collection is led by the Black Magic in full technical ceramic; this specific model gained immediate global attention in February when Jung Kook, the acclaimed artiste and BTS member, wore it in Seoul upon being announced as Hublot’s new global brand ambassador.

The Big Bang Original Unico line-up is completed by Titanium, Titanium Ceramic and proprietary, platinum-strengthened King Gold timepieces.

IWC and Ed Sheeran

IWC Schaffhausen has reimagined its most iconic silhouette through a lens of technical minimalism with the Portugieser Chronograph Ceratanium. This 1,500-piece limited edition marks the first time the storied 1930s design has been executed in a completely monochromatic “dark mode”. 

Crafted from a proprietary material that took five years to develop, the 41-mm case, crown and pushers offer the structural lightness of titanium fused with the scratch resistance of ceramic.

Creative director Christian Knoop shared that this all-black execution strips away distractions to highlight the watch’s pure geometry, featuring black appliques and hands against a matching dial. 

Beyond its technical specs, the model has already gained high-profile cultural traction; Ed Sheeran was spotted wearing the stealthy timepiece during the first of his three sold-out shows in Melbourne earlier this month. 

Under the hood, the IWC-manufactured 69355 calibre provides a robust 46-hour power reserve, driven by a classic column-wheel mechanism. Paired with a square-patterned black rubber strap, the watch represents a bold, monolithic evolution for a collection typically defined by traditional polished steel.

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Tag Heuer and Ryan Gosling

Since joining the brand in 2021, Ryan Gosling has moved beyond traditional representation to weave Tag Heuer’s identity into his cinematic narratives. He has done it again, this time in the upcoming film adaptation of Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary.

In this deep-space survival story, Gosling is a scientist for whom time and precision are the ultimate resources. Throughout his isolated mission to save humanity, he wears the Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E5, a lightweight titanium smartwatch that can last three days in low power mode and run a full day from just a 30-minute fast charge.

More than a mere accessory or film prop, the watch is linked to the story’s scientific elements. As his character navigates the solitude of deep space, the Connected Calibre E5 serves as a vital tool for data analysis and critical decision-making.