SPIRIT OF BIG BANG MECA-10

“As the first fusion between our popular Meca-10 calibre manufacture and the iconic Spirit of Big Bang design, this new watch—with an extraordinary power reserve of 10 days that is displayed in an innovative way—completes a collection that is gaining importance at Hublot.” -Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of HublotHublot stands out not only through its “Art of Fusion”, combining innovative materials or melding the traditional with the avant-garde, but also through its quest for the perfect harmony between cases and movements—a requirement that is enhanced by the fact that its mechanical movements are almost always visible through transparent dials. By seeking to marry the round factory HUB1201 Meca-10 calibre (a movement that has already had a great success in many Big Bang models) with the “barrel” design of the Spirit of Big Bang (a line from the brand’s collection that is really taking off), Hublot was not about to settle for making just a few minor adjustments. In the spirit of the great art of watchmaking, where a “barrel” frame must hold a calibre with the same shape, the engineers were tasked with revising the whole construction of the movement so that it would fit in the new space available as efficiently as possible from a technical aspect—and as harmoniously as possible on an aesthetic level.

 

The magic of a construction set

The new HUB1233 calibre retains the basic principles of the manual-winding skeleton Meca-10 factory movement, with its parallel twin barrel and exceptional 10-day power reserve displayed in an unusual way. At 12 o’clock, there are two racks sliding on a line between 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock with an innovative new rack and pinion, whilst the opening at 3 o’clock shows the number of days left on the power reserve. It is an entertaining and high-performance display. Another technical and aesthetic feature is also reflected in the round movement: the usual plate is replaced by bridges with a fixed length on either side of a ring that serves as a base for the movement—a highly original architecture that brings to mind the perforated “joists” of a construction set. Clever skeletonising of the components draws the eye to the heart of the mechanism, with a fascinating effect of depth, whether you look from the side of the dial or through the transparent back cover. The technical appearance of the whole is lifted by the contrast between parts made from crude steel with satin or polished finishes and parts with blackened finishes. The central display of the hours and minutes is completed by a small second hand at 9 o’clock, next to the balance and the hairspring that keeps time with total precision. Thanks to the 10-day power reserve, Hublot was able to design the mechanism in manual mode—delighting everyone who likes to feel at one with their watch by giving it a regular boost of power.

 

Three variations with the same DNA

With its six H-screws crossing through the bezel, the lugs on either side of the dial, its highly-readable hands that are enhanced with a luminous coating, its imposing crown that facilitates winding and its bezel strap attachments, the Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10 has all the features of the original famous Big Bang, Hublot’s flagship model, in a “barrel” shape. The construction of the case also declares its identity loud and proud, with an innovative “sandwich” principle that makes it possible to vary and blend an infinite number of materials. This new watch from the manufacturer’s workshops is available in three versions, each with their own personality. The first is in 18-carat King Gold, an exclusive alloy of gold and platinum that offers a new red-gold colour; the power of its design is further enhanced by the alternation of the cavities across its dial and beaded, satin and polished finishes. The second version pays tribute to high-tech black ceramic, a material of the future that is mastered only by Hublot, whilst the third is dressed in ultra-robust and ultra-light grade 5 titanium. The rubber strap with a lined texture, with a deployment clasp, offers optimal durability and an excellent level of comfort on your wrist.