HANDS-ON: The Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only brings 40mm to titanium, ceramic and 18K yellow gold

Zach Blass

With Hublot, the most intimidating barrier for me was often the larger sizing their references were typically produced in. Hublot, unapologetically, favours larger diameters as the canvas for their bold personality and mastery of materials. Personally, I felt excluded from the party at times, liking the brand’s novelties but not being prepared to tackle their diameters. With the new Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only collection, all my personal sizing worries have been assuaged thanks to the approachable new 40mm diameter that will open new possibilities to tempt watch lovers who’ve so far been unwilling to take the Hublot plunge. Heck, even existing customers may be eager to join in on the more compactly packaged fun.

The case

There are three options to choose from: titanium, 18k yellow gold or a limited 250-piece run of all-black ceramic. The ceramic and titanium wear nice and light on the wrist and while perhaps less luxurious than the gold, are perfect for daily wear. The yellow gold variant certainly has more heft than the aforementioned two, but, at the same time, it doesn’t have the same weight on the wrist as something like a precious metal Rolex Submariner. All of the models wore very comfortably, the new 40mm dimensions irrefutably the best size for my wrist within their catalogue. Yes, Hublot has 38mm and smaller references, but 40mm (previously far lesser explored by Hublot) still offers a modern and bold presence many associate with the brand – without being so bold that it dwarves my more diminutive wrist.

The cases, 40mm in diameter and 9.25mm thick, are primarily brushed with polished accents to add elegant and glistening flair. A vertical brush makes it way down the entire front of the case and bezel, even down to where the case and bracelet meet – as well as the lug hoods. The outer perimeter of the bezel, as well as the lug bevels, inject a splash of mirror polish, a familiar yet fool-proof means of executing mixed finishes in a design. The tried and true porthole-inspired form remains but, as a fresh and fun twist, the cases introduce richly brushed scalloped case flanks that are totally in line with Hublot’s industrially chic and elegant vibe. With 100 metres of water-resistance, this case is ready for both the beach and the boardroom. Its robust design and depth rating is ideal for daily wear.

The dial

Each of the dials on the three models utilise the same layout, the only variance being the tone of the hands and applied indices. The titanium model has rhodium-plated hands and indices, the black ceramic configuration with blackened hands and applied indices, and the yellow gold Big Bang Integral Time Only with matching precious metal hands and applied indices. Beyond that, both the titanium and yellow gold variants have red-tipped central seconds hands and red hashes and white numerals on the stepped inner bezel minutes track. The black ceramic model, however, has a black-tipped central seconds hand and black numerals and hashes on the minutes track to maintain the all-black aesthetic. Its open-worked layout allows you to see the dial-side of the calibre, as well as the open-worked date disc which, when aligned at 6′, reveals the current date with a black backdrop on all three models. As for luminosity, the central hours and minutes hands, along with the applied hour indices, are filled with SuperLuminova® for visibility in darkness.

The bracelet

Like the case, the bracelets on all three models are primarily brushed with polished accents throughout. The links have a very faceted design, the wide central links like horizontal gold bars and the shouldering links like smaller vertical gold bars. The top facets are all brushed throughout, but the sloped flanks are polished on all four sides. This means that there is a tapered and polished bevel on outer sides of the bracelet links, as well as polishing on the facets that reveal themselves as the bracelet articulates with your wrist movement. It is quite the light show, the black ceramic, perhaps, a more stealthy display as expected with the black material. The links are secured by screws, and the bracelet is secured to the wrist via a butterfly clasp – my favourite type of clasp style.

The movement

Each of the watches are powered by a MHUB1710 movement, Hublot’s take on the Zenith Elite 670 calibre, offering a solid 50 hours of power reserve. The finishing blends both traditional and industrial-modern chic touches, with both clean rich brushing and circular Côtes de Genève. I can’t say I have too much personal experience with the MHUB1710 movement, but I have become acquainted with the Elite 670 base it is built upon thanks to my Zenith Defy Skeleton “Night Surfer” Time+Tide Edition I recently welcomed into my collection. Over the course of a week, my Night Surfer gained a total of 11 seconds – approximately 1.57 seconds per day. Can I promise your Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only will run as accurately? No. But I mention it to show that the Elite 670 is a great foundation for Hublot to work with, and you will likely enjoy the MHUB1710 timekeeping experience on the wrist if my experience is any indication.

Final thoughts

If you want to get technical, the name is a tad misleading, as there are date complications on each dial, so they perhaps should have named the collection “Big Bang Integral Time and Date” – but let’s not get too fussy here. Really, if anything, the “time only” signals the fact these references do not have the chronograph complication of the Big Bang Integral. Either way, this is a great opportunity for fans of more approachable diameters to get in on the Big Bang Integral fun we have seen with previous models. I also really appreciate the new scalloped case flanks, as well as the slender 9.25mm thickness. The Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only is, perhaps, Hublot’s equivalent to the Rolex Datejust – providing the time, date, and 100 metres of water-resistance in a bold and modern design format Hublot have built their name on.

Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only Collection pricing and availability:

Case Materials	Titanium, Yellow Gold, Black Ceramic
Diameter	40mm
Thickness	9.25mm
Water-Resistance	100m
Dial	Openworked, Sapphire Crystal
Strap	Bracelet
Movement	MHUB1710 (based on Zenith Elite 670)
Power Reserve	50 hours
Price	$17,800 USD (Titanium), $19,900 USD (All Black, Limited Edition 250 pcs.), $49,400 USD (Yellow Gold)