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INTRODUCING: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer Purple is not for shrinking violets INTRODUCING: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer Purple is not for shrinking violets

INTRODUCING: The Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer Purple is not for shrinking violets

D.C. Hannay

New for the western summer, Hublot is at it again with their latest colourful release, the Big Bang Unico Summer Purple. No strangers to bright hues, Hublot’s latest limited-to-200 Summer edition picks up where 2021’s original turquoise Summer model began. That first edition timed the recent mania for all things Tiffany-hued perfectly, but this season’s version is gonna make it Purple Rain in 2022. Hublot is going hard into the colour, having released an eye-popping purple sapphire model at this year’s Watches & Wonders.

Unico Summer Purple

Done up in a monochromatic medium purple, the latest Summer edition is a 42mm version of the Big Bang Unico automatic flyback chronograph, with a case smaller than some other Big Bang models. Good thing too: the bright colour of the case and strap combo simply will not be ignored. Like the turquoise sellout from last year, the case construction veers off from some of Hublot’s favourite material choices like ceramic, carbon, or titanium, opting instead for anodised aluminium. I suspect this is due to the material’s ability to take a wide variety of colours, but Hublot has addressed the issue of aluminium’s durability as well. Softer than steel or titanium, the Big Bang Unico’s aluminium case has been treated for added hardness, so one can rest assured that the colour is here to stay.

Unico Summer Purple

Peering behind the skeleton dial, you can see the visual playground of Hublot’s HUB1280 flyback column wheel chronograph movement, keeping time to the beat of whatever Balearic beach club you happen to be partying at. Everything is protected behind a sapphire crystal, and the case is water resistant to 100 metres. The 43-jewel movement has a rate of 28,800 vph and a power reserve of 72 hours, or the equivalent of a three-day party. The titanium caseback allows view of the movement through the sapphire display window, the whole affair secured by six screws.

Unico Summer Purple

The multiple angles on the Hublot’s casework offer plenty of visual interest, with both satin and polished surfaces ready to play in the summer sun. Just about every part of the watch is covered in that same delicious grape flavour: Case, crown, pushers, dial indices, and even the two included straps and their hardware. The only non-purple areas found are the movement, the titanium caseback, and the trademark H-screws surrounding the bezel, which all provide a nice contrast and added legibility on the skeletonised dial. The dial features Arabic indices in the same purple, matching the hands and subdials, and both hands and indices are filled with bright white lume. A small date window appears discreetly at 3 inside the 60-minute subdial.

Two straps are included with the Summer edition, one in Hublot’s signature natural rubber, sculptural, yet supremely comfy, and a second Velcro fabric strap, both in that same soda-pop purple. Each features colour-matched hardware, and you can change them out on a whim, too, since they both utilise Hublot’s patented One-Click system. The bottom line: the Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer Purple is a nonstop party on your wrist

Pricing and availability:

The Hublot Big Bang Unico Summer Purple is available now in Hublot boutiques, or online at their e-Boutique, in a limited-to-200 edition priced at $22,000 USD.

Case Material  Polished and satin-finished anodised aluminium in purple
Case Dimensions 42mm
Water-Resistance 100m
Dial Skeletonised purple w/white lume
Straps Purple natural rubber, and purple Velcro fabric, both with purple hardware
Movement HUB1280 Unico manufacture automatic flyback chronograph
Power Reserve 72 hours
Price $22,000 USD, limited to 200 pieces