A marriage between Hublot and Ferrari, not known as understated brands, could easily have turned into a horrible car crash (pardon the pun).
Instead, the pieces released so far seem to be finding the right balance between cool and outrageous: exactly where they should be landing. The titanium version of this Big Bang Ferrari is particularly nice: Richard Mille-esque in some ways.
[Press Release] In Italy last November, Hublot and Ferrari announced their partnership that would make the Swiss ‘Maison’ the exclusive watchmaking partner of the Maranello-based Italian automobile manufacturer. This is not a simple agreement for supplying watches, licensing or sponsorship, but truly a 360° partnership that encompasses all key activities pertaining to brand image and sales activities, including production of a “Ferrari Official Watch” and a “Scuderia Ferrari Official Watch” as well as Hublot’s taking on the role of “Ferrari Official Timekeeper”, “Scuderia Ferrari Official Timekeeper” and “Ferrari Challenge Official Timekeeper.”
Announced by Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot, and Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, President of Ferrari S.p.A. on the Mugello circuit, where the finals of the Ferrari Challenge are played out to close the Prancing Horse’s racing season, the partnership marked the beginning of a truly collaborative effort on the foundation of shared values. As part of the BaselWorld, the world’s premier event watchmaking and jewellery industry, Hublot has unveil the first watch designed in partnership with Ferrari.
The Big Bang Ferrari marks an evolution the iconic Big Bang design – the first since the watch was launched in 2005 – that fuses style and materials and mechanics in way that uniquely addresses the respective DNA of Hublot and Ferrari: innovation, performance, technology and exclusivity.
The Big Bang Ferrari sports a larger case (45.5 mm in diameter) with a cylindrical bezel that dramatically showcases the movement visible through the sapphire dial. An indexed crown (with Hublot’s ‘H’ logo automatically positioning itself to remain in line) features elongated push buttons, fixed along a rotating axis like 
the pedals in a car whilst carbon inserts give the case distinctive look. The watch comes with two interchangeable straps with an innovative quick-change system inspired by the safety seatbelt mechanism. The tone on tone stitching is a nod to the signature upholstery craftsmanship typical of Ferrari. The minute counter, whose hands and indices recall a Ferrari dashboard, is positioned at 3 o’clock and complemented by date window in ‘Modena’ yellow. The legendary prancing horse is featured discreetly in relief at 9 o’clock.
The absence of superfluous accessories brings out the fusional and rational aspects of the Big Bang Ferrari’s unique design, a pure expression of the values that characterize the sports spirit of Ferrari and at the same time the inimitable Hublot style.
The UNICO movement can be compared to the best possible engine to power a racing car, and that it was selected, then designed and developed by Hublot to power the Big Bang Ferrari. With no fewer than 330 components, oscillating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, the column wheel and dual horizontal coupling on the dial side appear in a new constellation reminiscent of Ferrari alloy wheel rims. The timepiece has a 72-hour power reserve, and is water resistant to 100 metres.
Finally, the Big Bang Ferrari incorporates Magic Gold, the product of extensive R&D unveiled barely three months ago. Magic Gold is scratch-resistant 18-carat gold. The innovation and sophistication that went into the Big Bang Ferrari make it a new sign of recognition, different to the core from any watch presented before. This concept has even been extended to the presentation case for each watch – a true showcase inspired by an engine valve support, made from aluminium, with a built-in rotary system.
Technical Specifications
Case Diameter: 45.5 mm – polished Magic Gold or satin-finished Titanium
Bezel: Polished Magic Gold or satin-finished Titanium
6 H-shaped black PVD titanium screws, countersunk, polished & locked (Magic Gold)
6 H-shaped countersunk, polished & locked screws (Titanium)
Crystal: Sapphire with interior/exterior anti-reflective coating
Bezel: lug Black composite resin
Lateral inserts: Black composite resin with carbon insert at 9 o’clock
Crown: Micro-blasted and polished black PVD titanium (Magic Gold)
Micro-blasted and polished titanium (Titanium)
Black rubber insert with Hublot logo
Push-buttons: Micro-blasted and polished black PVD titanium (Magic Gold)
Micro-blasted and polished titanium (Titanium)
Black rubber insert on the push-piece at 2 o’clock
Engraved Ferrari logo with red lacquer on the push-piece at 4 o’clock
Case-back Micro-blasted and polished black PVD titanium
Sapphire crystal with interior anti-reflective treatment
Water resistance: 10 ATM, i.e. approx. 100 metres
Dial: Sapphire with white Hublot logo transfer
Rhodium-plated Ferrari prancing horse applique
Satin-finished rhodium-plated or 2N gold-plated indexes
Hands: Satin-finished rhodium-plated white SuperLuminova™ (Titanium) or 2N gold-plated black SuperLuminova™ (Magic Gold)
Minute counter hand with Ferrari red coating
Movement: HUB 1241 Unico movement, developed and manufactured in-house by Hublot, self-winding chronograph
Date: Yellow window at 3 o’clock
Oscillating weight: Satin-finished and micro-blasted black coating, imitating the shape of a wheel rim
Power reserve: Approximately 72 hours
Straps: Black rubber strap with central rubber decoration, alcantara and tone-on-tone stitching
Or black rubber, scedoni leather and tone-on-tone stitching
Clasp: Deployant buckle in satin-finished black PVD titanium with carbon insert (Titanium) or satin-finished titanium with carbon insert (Magic Gold)
I’m afraid we’re finishing in pretty much last place with this one, given that it was announced some four weeks ago now.
Hublot’s first tourbillon model for the ‘ladies’.
Case: Big Bang – Diameter 41 mm – 18K red gold set with 198 diamonds totalling 0.96 ct
Things have been a little quiet on the Hublot front since the Dear Leader moved upstairs (no, not 
[Press Release] New York, NY (February 1, 2012) – Hublot, the luxury Swiss brand which brings the “Art of Fusion” to watchmaking, is proud to present the amfAR New York Gala on February 8, 2012 honoring those who have led the global struggle against HIV/AIDS.
No!
I’m going to attempt to use a bit of the quiet holiday period to catch up with some of the backlog of posts I really should have done earlier in the year!
