Hublot injects new spirit into the Big Bang

ART and time come together again as Hublot and tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Buchi unveil yet another collaborative watch, the Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu.

The new chronograph timepiece, which is their third collaboration in seven years, is recognised by its “enhanced three-dimensional and ergonomic design”, highlighted by a faceted 42mm barrel-shaped case.

Launched in 2014, Hublot’s Spirit of Big Bang line is defined by a barrel-shaped case; while the Swiss tattoo artist’s trademark is his three-dimensional geometry – popularised by Sang Bleu (blue blood in French), Plescia-Buchi’s London-based creative studio and platform.

The first Hublot-Maxime Plescia-Buchi collaboration produced the Big Bang Sang Bleu, in 2016, where the Sang Bleu 3-D geometry was applied to the design of the watch to reveal a perfectly proportioned structure inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man. The second collaboration led to the Big Bang Sang Bleu II, a “full body” tattoo that covered the entire watch, including the case, bezel, sapphire crystal, hands and bracelet.

In the latest collaboration, a totally revamped 3-D style found expression in a new “tattooed” collection that gives the Spirit of Big Bang a new dimension. Crafted to sit comfortably on the wrist, the Spirit of Big Bang Sang Bleu has geometric tattoos alternate and overlap from the case to the bezel. The sapphire dial reveals an automatic skeleton movement bearing through disc hands, the characteristic geometry of timepieces made in collaboration with Sang Bleu.

The new watch comes in three limited editions: 200 units in titanium, 200 in all black ceramic and 100 in King Gold (Hublot’s proprietary gold which has a warmer shade than the traditional 18K gold). Two other versions of the watch are set with 180 diamonds in titanium and King Gold. 

Prices: US$30,400 (S$40,432) (all black ceramic), US$28,300 (titanium), US$48,300 (titanium pave), US$50,400 (King Gold), US$70,400 (King Gold pave).