Hip to be square at Hublot

HUBLOT PRIDES ITSELF ON BEING “first, unique and different” – words that top the vocabulary of those who deem themselves to be fashion-forward. And it does as it says, with the innovations, experimentations and collaborations that the brand undertakes in its mission. These 3 new creations show just what Hublot means:

Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire

At a glance, the striking purple hue seems to be Hublot’s way of standing out in the sea of green watches which have flooded the market recently. But what you’re seeing is an innovation at work – the world’s first full sapphire watch in this royal colour. It’s no mean feat – which is why no other brand has done it so far. Of course, it helps that Hublot has arguably the most extensive experience working with sapphire watchmaking, scoring breakthroughs over the years with timepieces that have in turn been translucent, black, red, blue, yellow and orange sapphires.

Also unique is the skeleton tourbillon movement of the 44 mm watch, thanks to Hublot’s 15 years of experience in developing the gravity-defying mechanism. While the usual tourbillon movements are hand-wound, this one is an automatic and uses ceramic ball bearings driven by a micro motor, rather than the traditional oscillating weight. Limited edition of 50 pieces. Price: S$281,000

Classic Fusion Orlinski Bracelet

Watches with an integrated metallic bracelet are in vogue. Hublot has upped the game by collaborating with Richard Orlinski, the bestselling contemporary French artist in the world, to create its own version. It’s a tremendous challenge, especially in designing an integrated bracelet. The task for Hublot’s watchmakers and engineers was even more complex. The bracelet they produced is a metallic link whose architecture is bevelled and faceted in titanium and composed of 83 parts. This is attached to a timepiece “whose corners, bevelled edges and facet define the character of the case, bevel, crown”.

Modelled on Orlinski’s sculptures, the 44 mm watch’s chamfered forms play with the reflections of its mirror-polished facets. The H-shaped links recall the Hublot logo. The new bracelet is integrated with the watch case, on which the facets extend. The 40 mm titanium watch is powered by an automatic movement with a power reserve of 42 hours. It comes in 4 variations — 1 with a white ceramic dial, 1 black ceramic dial and 2 set with diamonds — and is suitable for both women and men. Price: S$22,000 and S$63,200 (with diamonds)

Square Bang Unico

In trying to make square cool, Hublot overturned many conventions when rolling out its first such watch.

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Making a fashion statement

Traditionally, the movement is hidden in square timepieces because the mechanism, which has the wheel as its basic building block, is necessarily round in shape — and that puts it at odds with a square case. The Square Bang Unico, a chronograph with a partially open-worked dial, hides nothing of the Hublot in-house movement, which is the brand’s pride and joy and the heart of most of its designs for over 10 years. Unlike many other square watches, this one is guaranteed to be water-resistant to 100 metres. What’s more, it features Hublot’s one click system for the strap, which comes in titanium, King Gold and ceramic.

The new 42 mm Square Bang Unico collection comprises 5 models – black ceramic, titanium ceramic, titanium, King Gold ceramic and King Gold. Price: SS$36,700 (all black), S$33,800 (titanium ceramic), S$32,300 (titanium), S$55,900 (gold ceramic) and S$60,300 (gold).