Singapore gave us a chance to discover so many new things during LVMH Watch Week, but perhaps some may have missed the new Hublot Big Bang Neon Yellow Saxem, the conquest of the yellow sapphire.
Watchmaking is at its widest moment of breadth. Enthusiasts’ tastes can range from the most classic vintage, to pure innovation. Wonderful, because everyone can constantly renew their passion and make it evolve with time.
It is true, however, that if you are a brand this breadth can be favorable but also backfire. Nowadays, every action is well calibrated to your DNA. Stepping outside the stakes of what your story has been can be a double-edged sword. Do you dare with a different case? New dial?Total change?
It is important to follow a line and for it to reflect who you are, so as not to confuse people as to what the brand’s verbiage is and to amplify the message to be communicated.
The Art of Fusion in Hublot Big Bang Neon Yellow Saxem
Hublot has always been very clear about its identity despite various collaborations and limited editions. The concept of fusion, the concept of exploration is imbued in every watch that is launched. And, let me applaud them, when they find a niche they jump right into it.
Let me give you a personal example. In one of my youthful experiences, it was 2015, Hublot appeared in Harrods Porto Cervo with its own space. I was working as a salesperson there for the summer season. Among all the models to be offered, I could not explain how the Magic Gold could exist. I found it ugly and I found it expensive.
La visita in manifattura a Nyon alla scoperta dello zaffiro di Hublot
Fast-forward to 2022. I visit Hublot’s manufacture (have you seen the YouTube video?), where they explain how it is done and show us how they do it…. I call myself a sucker.
This little preamble, to tell you that the use of materials with these results is a niche that Hublot has conquered and mastered in numerous circumstances and in a wide variety of ways. From ceramics to sapphire colorations.
It was 2016 when Hublot decided to embark on this adventure, a very durable and transparent adventure. In fact, 20 units of the MP5 LaFerrari Sapphire are produced, and 500 pieces of the Big Bang Unico Sapphire, the first in a series.
It is 6 years of continuous investment and achievement that has led Hublot to win this space. Can we say that they are the only ones making sapphire cases? Absolutely not. However, in a few years I bet the sapphire-brand association in our brains will lead to the little box in which we store Hublot files.
Big Bang Neon Yellow Saxem
Hublot experimented with the Saxem for the first time in 2019 or so after several models with sapphire cases. Saxem stands for “Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Materials.” In short, it is an aluminum oxide, the basic constituent of sapphire, enriched with these rare earth materials: thulium, holmium, and chromium.
The three musketeers make the case ultra-durable and increase its brilliance, without reducing its transparency, which remains unchanged no matter what ‘angle you look at it from.
The watch mounts the same caliber as the previously presented orange case and purple case tourbillons. An automatic movement with tourbillon, frequency 21,600 vibrations per hour (3hz) and 72 hours of power reserve. Those who designed the Big Bang Neon Yellow Saxem wanted to ensure that one could admire every single external and internal detail.
The case of the Big Bang Unico is not exactly invisible: 44mm in diameter and 14.4mm thick. Bold, then, is the “transparency” objective. Not only does the material of the case make it easier for us to observe the inner parts, the very construction of the movement, including the design, is conceived with the same philosophy: to minimize the number of components and make everything visible. Thanks to the sapphire crystal dial and skeletonized hands, the tourbillon at 6 o’clock is perfectly observable, as is the oscillating weight at 12 o’clock, also mircroed to be unobtrusive.
The case joined to the bezel by the 6 screws in polished titanium, has the very easy and very fast integrated lug system that with trapezoidal key allows the quick change of strap. A neon yellow rubber one is fitted as standard. What if it were black? What would the contrast look like, would you like it?
Availability and price
The Big Bang Unico Tourbillon Saxem has a retail price of EUR 220,000 which is in the high end of the brand’s range. I won’t hide the fact that I would love to see it on someone’s wrist during the day and at night at a Tiesto or Afterlife event.
Its being flashy could also be a synonym for security since the criminal world seems to be interested in the usual dark, classic and the usual brands. Purely personal reflection.
Net of this I would be happy if an Italian/European wore one of these 50 examples on his wrist. It means that even from a point of view of taste, confidence, and personality the breadth I mentioned at the beginning has a more solid and practical basis than expected.
What do you think about it?
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