The Spirit of Big Bang has never been the prettiest offering in Hublot’s line-up. Maybe that is just personal taste, but I felt similarly about a few Big Bangs, with the exception of the Maxime Plescia-Büchi partnerships. The Big Bang Sang Bleus (particularly the II) were perhaps my favourite in the Big Bang line and it seems they’ve decided to borrow some of that Sang Bleu magic on the Spirit of Big Bang.
For those unaware, Maxime Plescia-Büchi is a tattoo artist and founder of Sang Bleu, a tattoo franchise and creative agency. Their first partnership with Hublot was introduced in 2016.
These new 42mm Spirit of Big Bangs come in three colourways and materials: black ceramic, grade 5 titanium, and 18k King Gold. King Gold is developed to be a warmer shade than traditional 5N 18k gold, thanks to the addition of platinum.
They manage to elevate the tonneau case in a typically edgy fashion, but it succeeds in creating an interesting shape that looks less like a Richard Mille and more like a Hublot. If there is anything to gripe about it’s the titanium screws on the bezel. They’re big and suitably edgy, but they ruin the flow of the lines.
Powering these is the HUB4700, Hublot’s best movement offering a 5Hz frequency with an accuracy of 1/10th of a second and a 50-hour power reserve.
It isn’t just these three on offer but two bejewelled versions; the King Gold Pavé and the Titanium Pavé. In terms of specs these are the same as those previously mentioned complete with 100m water resistance. The difference lies with the 180 diamonds strewn across the case and bezel.
All of these watches arrive on a black rubber strap, something that may be the frustration of many watch enthusiasts, but something that should be expected from Hublot. A rubber strap is essentially a signature as significant as their logo at this point, so people should be aware of what they’re getting into.
Prices of these vary as well as availability so let’s just put it in a list:
- Black Ceramic limited to 200 pieces at $42,400 AUD
- Titanium limited to 200 pieces at $39,500 AUD
- King Gold limited to 100 pieces at $70,300 AUD
- Titanium Pavé priced at $45,900 AUD (availability N/A)
- Gold Pavé priced at $98,200 AUD (availability N/A)
Naturally, the price would make more than a few people baulk, but once again this is Hublot, you should know better. You either buy into what they’re offering or you don’t.
