During LVMH Watch Week taking place in Singapore Jan. 10-12, Hublot after unveiling the new Classic Fusion, announced a new model that will add to its Big Bang Unico collection.
This is an entirely unique new watch designed to advance a good cause that the brand has been fighting for since 2019. So we welcome the new Big Bang Unico SORAI Dawn, a watch made to help rhinos that are victims of poaching by humans.
SORAI and Hublot
Save Our Rhino Africa India (SORAI), is an organization founded in 2018 by Hublot ambassador and former international cricket star Kevin Pietersen.
It is a socially responsible enterprise with a mission to safeguard key endangered species, including rhinos.
Every day, in fact, three wild rhinos are killed by poachers who appropriate their horns and then sell them for far more than gold, despite the fact that the trade has been banned internationally since 1977.
Only 30,000 rhinos are currently estimated to live on Earth. A rather alarming figure from which we can easily guess the extent of this emergency. The figure is even more alarming when we consider that the material from which rhino horn is made has no energy, functional, chemical or industrial value. It is used only as a “trophy” to adorn jewelry, accessories and knick-knacks.
SORAI, in addition to uniting people and companies in its own aid to ensure that species essential to Africa’s and India’s biodiversity survive and thrive in the wild, seeks at the same time to raise attention to the plight of these animals through award-winning television programs and digital content.
Hublot, which has joined this organization since 2019 to help keep endangered rhinos safe from poachers, has created two watches over the years specifically to support SORAI.
Ed è proprio sulla scia di questo contributo da parte della Maison svizzera, fondata nel 1980 e con sede a Nyon che, oggi, Hublot presenta il nuovo Big Bang Unico SORAI Dawn i cui ricavati, come per le precedenti due edizioni limitate, saranno in parte devoluti all’organizzazione.
On the help provided for this noble cause was Kevin Pietersen who said:
“Our actions on the ground (surveillance teams and equipment to prevent poaching, sanctuaries and rhino refuges) are crucial. However, in order to take action, we must first raise awareness, increase publicity and give visibility to this cause. Hublot is helping us on the ground by donating proceeds from the sale of the SORAI Unique Big Bang and lending the brand’s voice to our cause to bring it to the world’s attention. In the three years since we started this joint venture, we have achieved concrete results.”
Hublot Big Bang Unico SORAI Dawn
The watch features a 44 mm diameter microbead blasted gray ceramic case. Inside, the richly colored skeleton dial stands out, taking inspiration from the sunset and recalling the increased danger to rhinos at nightfall when poachers spring into action.
This colors are as well colors representing sunset, so if from one standpoint they signal danger for rhinos, on the other hand they recall sunrise and the hope that brings with it.
Featuring a chronograph function, operable by pushers at 2 and 4 o’clock on the side of the case, dedicated counters for this purpose are located on the dial at 3 o’clock – minute counter with date inside – and at 9 o’clock – seconds- .
Looking closely at this last counter we can notice a strong reference (very pleasing to the eye) to the theme of such a watch, namely a red-colored rhinoceros stamped on the dial. The rhinoceros is composed of repeating geometric figures typical of the Hublot style. We can say that it also reminds us very much of the works that artist Richard Orlinski has done for the maison.
Powering the motion of the hands and chronograph of this new Hublot is the self-winding Manufacture Caliber HUB1280 Unico, which is housed inside the 14.5 mm thick case.
Completing the colorful look of this watch are two different interchangeable straps with the One Click system. A gray fabric and Velcro strap and a black, purple and orange camouflage strap.
Price and availability
Limited to 100 pieces, the new Big Bang Unico SORAI Dawn will be available for purchase at a list price of EUR 25,200.
Proceeds from the sale will go directly to projects supported by SORAI in South Africa where the need for help on behalf of rhinos is greatest and most pressing.
To learn more about Hublot I suggest you visit their official website and our dedicated section.
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