INTRODUCING: The Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Magic Gold weaves a golden web to trap you in a world of micro-mechanical wonder
Thor SvaboeBlown away by the first picture in the press release. Where to start? I’ll be honest with you, while we want to share the news from the LVMH Watch Week as soon as it comes out, it does create the luxury of frustration, very apparent in this story on the Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Magic Gold. My frustration is one of knowing I could easily write 2000 words on this indecipherable world of the hand-wound Calibre HUB9011 watch movement and still not fully comprehend its head-scratching complexity.
But that is exactly what makes the MP-11 series so special and still immensely beguiling after being with us for a few years. It’s still the pinnacle of a wrist watch engine. Why? Well, had it been an electric car it would end all that anxiety about how far you can travel without charging, as this watch has the unbelievable prowess of a 14-day power reserve. That’s one hot engine under the hood, baby, and Hublot ain’t afraid of showing it. Gone are the laurels for 70 hours of power reserve. How much did you say, I must have misheard you? I repeat: 14 days. Read it and weep.
And how? Seven barrels paired in series. To enable the transmission of energy between the horizontal axis of the barrels and the vertical wheel driving the hour and minute displays. Hang on, it has what? A very rare system involving a 90-degree turn by means of a helical gear wheel, of the “endless screw” type. I told you it was complex. Send me an email and I’ll fill you in on the next 199 pages.
The flowing tall sapphire crystal only underlines that it’s almost an engine with a watch. The dial is beautiful on its own though, quietly resting at 12 o’clock leaving the stage open to the fascinating barrels that contains the pinnacle of an ancient technology: wound springs.
Seriously, look at it, even without the technical know-how to even vaguely understand my brief mechanical interlude above (that’s me included), it’s enough to knock you out. Only 50 pieces will be made of this in Magic Gold, and 50 pieces of even more mind-blowing sapphire crystal. Both have beautiful cases, ergonomically shaped as only Hublot knows how for this size of 45mm x 14.4 thickness, plus supple integrated rubber bracelets. The size is frankly small when you realize the mechanical marvel that lies within its case, the term “tour de force” was invented for these creations, they are surely few and far between.
The Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Magic Gold and Sapphire, pricing and availability:
The Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Magic Gold will be available in Hublot boutiques and online from Hublot. Price: 88,300 Euro
The Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Sapphire will be available in Hublot boutiques and online from Hublot. Price: 130,000 Euro