Hublot has always been a fan or experimental materials, and word has it that the Swiss watchmaker is currently experimenting with ‘see-through metal’. However, until it pulls off this ludicrous feat of alchemy, sapphire crystal will just have to do.
But that’s no bad thing. Sapphire crystal is the hardest and most scratchproof material after diamonds and is known for extraordinarily touching to manufacture. Hublot has been using the material for the past two years, as seen by the Big Bang Unico as well as its Big Bang One Click sapphire timepieces.
Fun fact: the first sapphire timepiece was the RM 056 by Richard Mille (only five timepieces were made, each reportedly selling for more than US$1.65 million each).
The new Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon ower Reserve in Sapphire retails for between US$150,0000 or US$190,000 – depending on the number of diamonds you want on the bezel. Each version is limited to just 99 pieces.
Under the hood lies a HUB6016 calibre – an in-house manually wound tourbillon with a whopping 115-hour power reserve. This same movement previously powered the Big Bang Tourbillon Power Reserve 5 Days in Magic gold.
As per usual, this watch is a very big timepiece. The case – sculpted out of solid pieces of sapphire – is 45mm wide and 14.25 thick. Fortunately, it’s also incredibly light thanks to that unique material.
