Hublot Big Bang Original Unico: Twenty Years of Fusion, Refined
Key Highlights
- Big Bang Original Unico revisits the 2005 icon in a 43 mm integrated case with updated ergonomics.
- Powered by Hublot’s in-house Unico flyback chronograph calibre MHUB1280.
- Four launch references in Titanium, Black Magic full ceramic, Titanium Ceramic and King Gold Ceramic.
- Curved lugs, rubber-clad crown, rectangular pushers and One Click strap change system.
- “Carbon effect” openworked dial and sapphire caseback showcase the Unico movement.
In 1980, Hublot paired a gold case with a rubber strap and defined its Art of Fusion. In 2005, the first Big Bang translated that idea into a sports chronograph that reshaped the brand; twenty years on, the Big Bang Original Unico brings that language into a new generation with the manufacture Unico at its centre.
The Big Bang Original Unico condenses two decades of experimentation into a 43 mm profile that balances presence and comfort. The exposed screws and layered construction remain, while ergonomics, wearability and the view of the movement are refined for the next chapter of the Big Bang collection.
From Big Bang to Big Bang Original Unico
The Big Bang Original Unico evolves Hublot’s foundational model rather than replacing it. Sitting between the historic 41 and 44 mm sizes, the 43 mm case keeps the recognisable profile but adds curved lugs and softened bevels for a cleaner fit.
The six functional bezel screws, case “ears” and multi-layered case construction preserve continuity with the 2005 design. A sapphire crystal caseback reveals the Unico movement, while the rubber-clad crown and rectangular pushers underline its role as a modern daily chronograph.
The Unico Calibre at Centre Stage
At the heart of the Big Bang Original Unico is Hublot’s integrated Unico flyback chronograph movement, the MHUB1280, with a column wheel, dual-clutch architecture and a layered construction that exposes key components beneath a skeletonised tungsten rotor.
The calibre runs at 4 Hz (28,800 vph), offers an approximate 72-hour power reserve and incorporates five patented innovations, including dual oscillating clutches, an anti-trembling system, a “zero friction” ratchet wheel blocker and constant-pressure friction for the minute counter. A Swiss silicon lever escapement and Chronofiable® testing underscore its long-term chronograph performance.
Materials: The Art of Fusion in Four References
Hublot’s Art of Fusion appears across four launch references in titanium, ceramic and King Gold, each with a black structured rubber strap and a deployant clasp matched to the case materials. All share 100-metre water resistance and a 13.20 mm thickness within a unified 43 mm platform.
Four material interpretations
The launch collection is expressed through four executions:
- Big Bang Original Unico Titanium pairs polished and satin-finished titanium with a black structured rubber strap.
- Titanium Ceramic combines a titanium case with a black ceramic bezel secured by H-shaped titanium screws.
- Black Magic uses a microblasted and polished full-ceramic case, bezel and caseband.
- King Gold Ceramic contrasts an 18K King Gold case with a black ceramic bezel.
Across all four references, the dial uses a stamped, satin-finished “carbon effect” motif with lifted counters and tone-on-tone rehauts to create depth around the indications. Hublot’s One Click system is fitted to every model, allowing fast strap changes between rubber and other options.
Why it matters
The Big Bang Original Unico is a focused evolution of Hublot’s most recognisable design, consolidating the line around the in-house Unico movement and a versatile 43 mm format. For collectors, the four references showcase Hublot’s work in titanium, ceramic and King Gold while refining ergonomics and dial architecture.
For GCC enthusiasts who value movement integrity and wrist presence, the Big Bang Original Unico distils the Art of Fusion into a daily chronograph with clear manufacture credentials and a contemporary, openworked aesthetic.
