Hublot’s Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Carbon is ultra-light thanks to cutting-edge tech
Fergus NashHublot’s Art of Fusion is mostly famous for their scratch-resistant King Gold, brightly-coloured ceramics and statuesque sapphire cases. It’s through this material experimentation that they earn their name as boundary pushers in high watchmaking. While it’s not exactly an invention that Hublot can claim, their utilisation of carbon fibre and the innovative Texalium is definitely cause for intrigue with the Hublot Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Carbon.
Texalium was developed by a company in California called Hexcel, and it uses a microscopic layer of aluminium 20 nanometres thick, or approximately 5000x thinner than a human hair. This incredibly thin coating is enough to send the carbon weave pattern into a silvery blaze, making the whole thing look like it’s made from interwoven metal blocks. This top layer is also scratch resistant, adding an extra feature to the pure novelty. Beneath this layer is a more traditional carbon material, with dashes of grey swirling through the black to add a nice amount of contrast.
The Hublot Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Carbon bracelet is made from the same materials as the case, each link taking a huge amount of time to perfect. It also brings the total weight of the watch to just 68 grams, which makes it a lot more wrist-friendly than you may expect from a 43mm case. Within the confines of the dial, you’ll find the expansive openwork of the calibre HUB6035.
This in-house movement features the tourbillon at 6 o’clock, a symmetrical micro-rotor at 12 with the Hublot logo engraved, and also a customised back plate which evokes the carbon weave pattern while letting light shine through. It’s got a healthy power reserve of 72 hours while beating at 3Hz, and the lack of swimming ability with 30m of water resistance shouldn’t be too much of a disappointment.
Hublot Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Carbon pricing and availability
The Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Carbon is available now. Price: A$176,000
| Brand | Hublot |
| Model | Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Carbon |
| Reference Number | 455.YS.0170.YS |
| Case Dimensions | 43mm (D) |
| Case Material | Carbon fibre and Texalium |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Sapphire |
| Strap | Carbon fibre and Texalium with titanium deployant clasp |
| Movement | HUB6035, automatic, in-house |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, tourbillon |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | A$176,000 |