When it comes to development and exploration, the old adage tells us that the sky is the limit. However, trust a consistently disruptive brand like Hublot to look beyond the limits of the sky and into space for inspiration of its latest showstopping timepiece the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM.
Unveiled at the LVMH Watch Week 2023, the luxury Swiss watchmaker celebrated its latest conquest of creating a stunning new translucent neon yellow case material thanks to its exploration of SAXEM – a material often used in satellites and laser technology.
A (clunky) abbreviation of the term “Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Minerals”, this ultra-resistant material was originally developed as a solution in satellite technology, and is often used in the high-quality lasers during the X-ray process. Hublot has previously used the material in green for its Big Bang MP-II timepiece, but the new release is the first time it has been created in yellow.
The intense citrus-like yellow colour took three years to develop, as it also needed to factor in the strict watchmaking requirements with regards to durability and weight.
While very impressive, it comes as little surprise. When it comes to developing new materials, the luxury watchmaker Hublot rarely balks at the challenge. Its groundbreaking approach to watchmaking has been a fundamental part of its offering to the high watch space since it first launched, and continues today with the use of yellow SAXEM in its iconic Big Bang collection.
In terms of movement, the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM is powered by the HUB6035 self-winding Manufacture calibre. The watchmaker also decided to up the stakes by skeletonising the entire calibre, therefore having the self-winding micro-rotor, and the fully sapphire bridges on full display.
Due to the rarity of the material, the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM is limited to only 50 pieces, and comes with a neon yellow textured rubber strap (equipped with the brand’s patented One Click strap changing system).