HUBLOT & MEINDL fuse innovation and tradition to celebrate Bavarian craftmanship
“Traditions provide new generations with a unique way of reconnecting with their identity, it is why they last. Braudel said that ‘in order to hope, in order to move forward, we also need to know where we come from.’ The Big Bang Bavaria is a concentration of history and traditions.” Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot
It is in Germany, in the mountainous landscapes of Bavaria, that Hublot and Meindl are cultivating tradition in the present… and in the future. In accordance with craftsmanship
and age-old materials, the watchmaker and the tanner have fused their expertise to create the Big Bang Bavaria. Cut from bronze, it is strapped onto two robust, handembroidered bracelets in deer leather. What could be more appropriate than launching this watch, which symbolises Bavarian traditions and innovation, during the world’s most renowned festival—Oktoberfest?
“For over 10 years, the Big Bang collection has been confirming that all styles suit it. Denim, linen Pop art, thousand colors… it also emphasises traditions. After its collaboration with the lace of Saint-Gall Bischoff, Hublot has partnered with Meindl to create the Big Bang Bavaria. This new piece is cut from an ancient metal—bronze, a metal that Hublot has loaded with tin and burnished—and its bracelet made from tanned hide, shaped and embroidered using ageold techniques. This watch has a rich history which naturally ensures its place in the future. Tradition and innovation has fused to celebrate Bavarian alpine art.” Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of Hublot
Hublot Boutique, Munich – 19 September 2017
For the first time, Hublot has cut its Big Bang case out of bronze, a material created in 3000 BC that has the advantages of non-magnetism, resistance to corrosion and a unique appearance. While it is not stainless, bronze is covered with a natural patina that protects it and gives it an unparalleled finish. The case back is in black ceramic whereas the screws are in 3N gold. Tanned and burnished by hand, each strap and case are different and unique. Time will add distinction and character to the Big Bang Bavaria Just like leather, the Hublot bronze, with its yellow pink tones, becomes enhanced over time.
“The differences between state-of-the-art technique and authentic, living craftsmanship, and also those between the city and the mountain, are what embody everything that fascinates modern individuals and that inspires me to create our MEINDL products. I am delighted to have found partner in Hublot, one that shares our passion and our love of
design, products and craftsmanship; we have created a product that brings together our two universes flawlessly!”
Markus Meindl, CEO of Meindl
Centuries of expertise and tradition lie behind the Big Bang Bavaria strap. Firstly, the craftsmanship of a family that has been passing down its passion for leather from father to son since 1683. The Big Bang Bavaria strap is reminiscent of the “Lederhosen”, the short leather breeches that originated in Bavaria and have been the traditional clothing of the mountain people since the 18th century. Just like the garment from which the strap draws inspiration, it is cut in deer leather and hand-embroidered with a pattern only possible to create on deer leather. Traditional sewing gives a 3D effect to the leather tanned using the Meindl tradition.
It takes 3 to 4 months to tan the hide using an age-old technique. The hides are salted then plunged into a limestone-based liquid before being washed, then treated by hand with cod-liver oil and dried. The last two steps are repeated several times until the leather is entirely soaked with the oil. The hide is left to dry in the sun to develop a light brown colour. To bring out the velvet character of the leather is then rubber with sandpaper. Meindl then applies and brushes the leather with several tropical wood bark colorants, a procedure repeated up to 5 times. The products used are all without preservatives or chemicals to respect nature.
Delivered with two “One Click” straps, the Big Bang Bavaria easily changes its look thanks to its patented attachment system. There’s a version with a cuff in natural light brown deer leather, enhanced by two leather tabs embroidered with a deer head. The second version comes in “altsalzburg” (black-brown)-coloured deer leather, embroidered with oak leaves. The Big Bang Bavaria beats to the rhythm of Unico, the Hublot manufacture movement, with 330 components for a 72-hour power reserve—a self-winding bidirectional movement with a flyback chronograph and a column wheel on the side of the dial.
As tradition demands, the Hublot Big Bang Bavaria was unveiled at 16.00 on the dot at the Hublot Boutique in Munich in true “Wiesn’ spirit with Meindl present Uttering “O’zapft is” (“It’s tapped!”), Ricardo Guadalupe opened the first barrel of the event just like at the Oktoberfest. It took 3 taps of the mallet to get the beer flowing.
Meindl—At the heart of tradition since 1683
To our family, real buckskin has always represented more than just a simple material. We have been relentlessly working for many decades on its traditional production. Hannes, my father, supported by his brother Alfons and, of course, by Lukas Meindl, my grandfather, paid great attention to the care and protection of this quite unique material. More than ever, then, this leather deserves confidence and respect.
For several centuries, it has proven to be simultaneously precious, reliable and extremely emotional. Today, there are only a tiny handful of specialists capable of understanding the ancestral art of manufacturing and treating this high-end leather. We have been working in close collaboration and exclusively with our tanneries for several generations. We are thus able to guarantee a constant quality that has been raised to the very highest level, in both technical and ecological terms. Our products are synonymous with sustainable development. They will not fail to fully satisfy you, nor the generations to come as well. Not all the products of our turbulent times, in which everything moves at breath-taking pace, can be said to purport to these values. This is why I want to share with you our passion for leather and for the unique articles that we create for you.
More detailed information can be found on the www.meindl-fashion.de website.
BIG BANG UNICO “BAVARIA”
Reference: 411.BZ.1149.VR.MDL17 – Limited to 100 pieces
Diameter: 45mm
Thickness: 16.30mm
Water Resistant: 10 ATM (100m)
Case: Brushed Bronze
Bezel: Brushed Bronze
Bezel Lug: Black composite resin
Screws « H »: 18k Yellow Gold, polished
Glass: Sapphire with anti-reflective treatment and HUBLOT logo printed on the inner side
Case back: Microblasted black ceramic engraved “LIMITED EDITION 100NUM”
Case back Glass: Sapphire with interior anti-reflective treatment
Dial: Mat black skeleton
Yellow Gold -plated indexes with beige luminescent
Hands: Yellow Gold -plated hands with beige luminescent
Movement: Caliber Hublot MHUB1242, UNICO Manufacture self-winding chronograph flyback movement with column wheel
No of Components: 330 (38 jewels)
Frequency: 4 Hz (28’800 A/h)
Power reserve: 72 Hours
Strap 1: Cuff in deer leather with embroidered deer head
Strap 2: Black rubber and brown leather deer strap with embroidered oak leaf
Buckle: Black PVD titanium with brushed bronze insert deployant buckle clasp
