Since Day 1, Hublot had a lot to prove and the strategy was simple – break the clutter with the unimaginable. Hublot’s obsession with unusual materials and unconventional designs pretty much paved the way for their success; making it one of the most sought after brands today.
This year is a special one for Hublot and its longstanding partner Ferrari. It’s the 90th year since the foundation of Scuderia Ferrari and to mark the occasion, Hublot introduced three exclusive timepieces earlier this year, including a futuristic looking sapphire version – formally known as ‘Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary Sapphire’.
At 45mm, this watch commands a lot of attention. Invisible visibility or visible invisibility, no concept can exist without its own opposite, and Hublot confirms the adage by blending the visible and the invisible. The outer case is made from Polished Sapphire and the inner case is fitted with a sapphire crystal with Anti-reflective Treatment. Affixed to the case is a bezel cut in ceramic carbon; the same material that is used for Formula 1 brake discs. By streamlining the pushers, I feel, Hublot has made the case a whole lot sleeker. The little touches of red has a striking presence and is sure to please every Ferrari fan.
In contrast to the thematic transparency of the watch, is the semi-skeletonised dial at the centre. At 3 o clock, you’ve got a a tachymeter-style minute counter which encloses the date window against a yellow backdrop. Each of the three versions of the Hublot Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary watch, bears one of the three colours of the Scuderia on its border, the numbers and the indexes. For this release Hublot has gone with Black. Other call outs include the tip of the chronograph hand which bears the colours of the Italian Flag, the prancing horse at 6 o clock and the Ferrari logo on the left side of the case. The Black Rubber and Kevlar Pattern fabric strap with light grey stitching too is in alliance with the whole Ferrari race look and is secured onto the wrist with a Titanium Deployant Buckle Clasp.
The flyback chronograph and the column wheel visible through the dial are powered by an in-house HUB1241 UNICO movement with a power reserve of 72 hours.
Limited to 90 pieces, the new Hublot Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary Sapphire is priced at approximately $89,000 Australian Dollars.