Starting with the blazing red ceramic innovation, Hublot has mastered the alchemy of vibrantly-coloured, resilient and scratch-proof ceramic.
The spectrum has expanded with Blue Indigo, Sky Blue, Sand Beige or Jungle Green, splashed on the limited-edition Big Bang Integrated Ceramic timepieces.
Based in Nyon, Hublot is a relatively young and rebellious watchmaker established in 1980.
The brand name is taken from Hublot -- French for a ship's porthole -- which inspired the design of the debut model. Combining gold and rubber in this timepiece, the Swiss brand disrupted Haute Horlogerie with the combination of materials that is one element of its "Art Of Fusion" concept.
Unveiled in 2005, Big Bang has constantly evolved in terms of complications, movements and materials such as carbon, titanium, ceramic and sapphire.
Hublot's metallurgy and materials laboratory work in collaboration with the research and development department. At its foundry, innovative materials are created and manufactured using the latest technologies.
The avant-garde brand pushed the boundaries of ceramic, by increasing its hardness and scratch resistance while enhancing the intensity of its colour. The lightness, low thermal conductivity and hypoallergenic qualities further make high-tech ceramic a comfortable-to-wear material.
A model with an integrated ceramic bracelet marked the 15th anniversary of the Big Bang two years ago.
The new Big Bang Integrated Ceramic collection showcases the harmonious use of coloured ceramic for the case, case back, bezel and bracelet. The four shades represent water, earth and wood while referencing fascinating places around the world.
The Blue Indigo calls to mind the Majorelle Garden and streets of Chefchaouen in Morocco, as well as the Blue City of Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The Sand Beige evokes the deserts and Caribbean beaches while the Sky Blue and Jungle Green are respectively reminiscent of the South Seas and tropical forests.
The monomaterial and monochrome colour ways are complemented by the monobloc architecture with the integrated bracelet composed of 22 ceramic elements each requiring a special tool, mould and process.
The 42mm case, bezel and bracelet are in satin-finished and polished ceramic in the respective colour, co-ordinated by matte elements on the dial with the chronograph and seconds counters at 3 and 9 o'clock.
Limited to 250 pieces each, the four versions run with a power reserve of 72 hours driven by the HUB1280 Unico manufactured self-winding chronograph flyback movement with a column wheel.
The calibre is a Unico V2, which is flatter and modified version of the first in-house manufactured movement for an automatic chronograph.
The colourful Big Bang Integrated Ceramic quartet was unveiled at Watches & Wonders Geneva 2022 earlier this year.
Hosted by Hublot and its representative PMT The Hour Glass, the local launch event in Bangkok took place last Friday at Central Embassy's Siwilai City Club.
The Swiss watchmaker also introduced Teeradon "James" Supapunpinyo as a Friend of Hublot.
The Thai actor plays the soccer coach of a group of young boys trapped in Chiang Rai's flooded underground caves, with the rescue mission portrayed in Thirteen Lives (2022). He also starred in Chalard Games Goeng (2017) and Homestay (2018).
James represents Hublot's Art Of Fusion through his diverse interests that include drawing, cooking and mixology, not to mention being a style icon. For the event, the Big Bang Integrated Blue Indigo Ceramic was his watch of choice in expressing his bold personality.
