Here Are The Top Picks From The Hour Glass
Back 1980 Carlo Crocco threw a very shiny spanner into the works for the world of horology when he launched what has now become the much coveted and iconic Hublot watchmaking company. It immediately started out as it meant to go on, with its first launch pairing gold with rubber and embracing the distinctive shape of a ship’s porthole – which in French is Hublot by the way.
In 2004 Jean-Claude Biver was appointed CEO of the brand and ran with this concept of combining materials by defining “The Art of Fusion” as an important philosophy. A year later and a testament to this philosophy, the iconic Big Bang, was launched.
While all this was happening, The Hour Glass became one of the first international retailers to represent the brand 40 years ago. Over the last 40 years, The Hour Glass has cemented itself as one of the world’s leading specialty watch retailers and have played an important part in advancing global watch culture and introducing the magic of mechanical watchmaking offers to a wider audience. Here they share some picks from one of the world’s most iconic watch brands.
Big Bang 2005
The original Big Bang and the herald of new era of watchmaking design. The classic Hublot case was entirely redesigned and enlarged, its angles sharpened, and its bezel was adorned with six polished and blocked screws with H-shaped inlays. Known as the “first watch with lateral recognition”, the Big Bang stood out thanks to its black composite insert—which gave the impression that it was entirely crossed by the black rubber strap—and the construction of its case in layers, supported by the lugs, which played with the different materials and finishes.
Big Bang Integral
15 years after its creation, the Big Bang features its first integrated metal bracelet, with the first link fused with the case. The deliberately robust bracelet takes the design of the case and adapts it with the same combination of finishings and large bevels all around the links. A striking evolution of that Big Bang DNA.
Big Bang Sang Bleu II
This artistic collaboration combines the timeless art of tattoo with watchmaking. Alongside famous tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Büchi, the founder of Sang Bleu, Hublot present the Big Bang Sang Bleu II. A horological expression of Maxime’s mastery of geometry and volume. Etched in black ink like a blackout tattoo, the Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu II is a true work of art as well as timepiece.
Big Bank Unico Rainbow Titanium
As if Hublot’s striking silhouette wasn’t enough in itself, the crown jewels have been thrown at this colourful piece of art. Well, to be more specific, it gets a mix of rubies, pink sapphires, amethysts, blue sapphires, blue topazes, tsavorites, yellow sapphires and orange sapphires. The 45mm case is set with 176 coloured gemstones while the 42mm gets 170. Even the 18k white gold bezel gets the bejewelled treatment with 48 baguette-cut coloured gemstones.