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HANDS-ON: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey Limited Edition HANDS-ON: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey Limited Edition

HANDS-ON: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey Limited Edition

Zach Blass

With a collection name like Big Bang, the word “discrete” usually would not come to mind. But the Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey and its monochromatic look provides a stealthier aesthetic within the collection.

 

 

As an industry leader in material innovation, we often see bold colours and designs from Hublot. But with this limited edition it is all about paring back the look to just the essentials.

The case

Unico Essential Grey

Taking a look at the titanium case, it clocks in at 42mm in diameter, 14.5mm thick and 52mm lug-to-lug with a water-resistance of 100 metres. It is primarily satin-finished with accents of mirror to the bezel and the bevelling of the lugs. Look at the flanges of the case as you stare head-on at the watch and you’ll notice a continued through-line of a vertical satin brush. It’s only when you look at the case on an angle that you start to see the polished accents it holds.

The dial

Unico Essential Grey

As the name of the watch would suggest, the dial, the hands, the slopped inner bezel outer minutes track, the floating applied numerals, the registers, and the visible movement beneath are all grey. You have a running seconds register at 9′ and a 60-minute elapsed minutes register at 3′ that sneaks in a date window within it. A grey disc surrounds the dial and as each numeral clicks over into position it is very easy to discern over the white backdrop. Speaking of legibility, the applied numerals, the central hours and minutes hands, as well as even the sub hands, have SuperLuminova fillings. So, when the lights go off you’ll still be able to read all the information you’re looking for on the dial.

The straps

Unico Essential Grey

With the Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey, you’re not just treated to one really nice strap – you get two and you’re able to switch between the pair with their easy-to-use, one-click exchange system. The first bracelet is a black and grey lined rubber strap perfect for warm weather and taking full advantage of it’s 100 metres of water resistance

If you want to up the static levels, the velcro strap has a really intriguing texture and gives the watch a bolder aesthetic.

The movement

Unico Essential Grey

Inside the watch, visible beneath an exhibition case back you have the Hubot manufacture caliber HUB 1280, which is an automatic column-wheel fly-back chronograph caliber that offers 72 hours of power reserve. As you would expect from Hublot, you are not going to find traditional decorations here. But its clean industrial aesthetic is very fitting – not only with the brand, but also the Essential Grey name.

The verdict

Ultimately, this watch is an exercise in less being more. The stripped-back aesthetic is not about the boldness that we typically find with Hublot and more about just delivering exactly what we need. The result is a handsome chronograph that delivers comfort and rugged functionality, its quietly coherent design bringing a welcome change of pace.

Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey Limited Edition pricing and availability:

The Hublot Big Bang Unico Essential Grey is available exclusively through Hublot’s online store, limited to only 200 individually numbered pieces. Price: $20,900 USD

Brand Hublot
Model Big Bang Unico Essential Grey Limited Edition
Case Dimensions 42mm  x 14.5mm x 52mm
Case Material Titanium
Water Resistance 100m
Dial Grey
Crystal Sapphire Crystals
Strap Grey fabric or rubber
Movement HUB 1280
Power Reserve 72 hours
Functions Hours, minutes, seconds, date, flyback chronograph
Availability Now, limited to 200 pcs.
Price $20,900 USD (excl. tax)