Moreover, in late March 2020, the South African border was closed to prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Prior, the day-to-day influx of foreign visitors had kept the poachers at bay. Now, due to a severe shortage of rangers, poachers are free to move undetected around this vast area. This interruption of a source of national revenue underlines the extent to which wildlife protection organisations rely on private financial donors and on collaborative and coordinated efforts between local, international, public and private stakeholders.
Hublot is using its global reach, and reconfirming its support for Kevin Pietersen and SORAI – Save Our Rhino Africa India – with the release of a new edition of the Big Bang Unico SORAI, inviting 100 future owners to help support this cause for our planet. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated exclusively to Care for Wild – the largest rhino sanctuary in the world, supported by SORAI – for it to use as it sees fit.
“According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), international, national and local partners must work together to resolve the biodiversity crisis. It is our duty to amplify the voices of those who work on the ground to protect endangered species, particularly the African rhino which is in critical danger of extinction. Hublot is truly delighted and proud to support Kevin Pietersen and SORAI in this movement which is so crucial for the future.” – Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO HUBLOT
While the previous release, with its beige ceramic case, evoked the colours of the South African bush in winter, the Big Bang Unico SORAI is equipped with the UNICO manufacture movement and inspired by the natural colours of the bush in summer: a harmonious blend of two shades of green, from the green ceramic case to the green camouflage rubber or velcro strap. This special edition, engraved on the back of the sapphire crystal glass, will be available as a limited edition of 100 pieces.
Left on its own, an orphaned baby rhinoceros whose parents have been killed by poachers has almost no chance of survival. Care for Wild rescues these rhinos, then ensures their protection, growth, and well-being in secure environments, equipped with 24-hour video surveillance, and communication networks, monitored by mobile units of dogs and their handlers, trained to apprehend poachers. The Care for Wild mission also includes rehabilitation and rewilding – the release of rhinos to their natural habitat, where their development can be monitored.
Founded in Switzerland in 1980, HUBLOT is defined by its innovation, which began with the highly original combination of gold and rubber. This “Art of Fusion” stems from the imagination of its visionary Chairman, Jean-Claude Biver, and has been driven forward by CEO Ricardo Guadalupe since 2012.
The release of the iconic, multi-award-winning Big Bang in 2005 paved the way for new flagship collections (Classic Fusion, Spirit of Big Bang), with complications ranging from the simple to the highly sophisticated, establishing the extraordinary DNA of the Swiss watchmaking house and ensuring its impressive growth.
Keen to preserve its traditional and cutting-edge expertise, and guided by its philosophy to “Be First, Different and Unique”, the Swiss watchmaker is consistently ahead of the curve, through its innovations in materials (scratch-resistant Magic Gold, ceramics in vibrant colours, sapphire), and the creation of Manufacture movements (Unico, Meca-10, Tourbillon).
HUBLOT is fully committed to creating a Haute Horlogerie brand with a visionary future: a future which is fused with the key events of our times (FIFA World CupTM, UEFA Champions League, UEFA EUROTM) and the finest ambassadors our era has to offer (Chiara Ferragni, Pelé, Kylian Mbappé, Usain Bolt, Novak Djokovic).
Discover the HUBLOT universe at our network of boutiques located in key cities across the globe: Geneva, Paris, London, New York, Hong Kong, Dubai, Tokyo, Singapore, Zurich and at HUBLOT.com
BIG BANG UNICO SORAI
TECHNICAL FEATURES
REFERENCE
411.GX.5220.NR.SOA21
Limited to 100 pieces
CASE
Microblasted and Polished Green
Ceramic
Diameter: 45 mm
Thickness: 15.45 mm
Water resistance: 10 ATM (100 m)
CASE BACK
Microblasted Green Ceramic
Engraved “LIMITED EDITION”, “N°
XXX/100”
Sapphire glass with Anti-reflective
Treatment with Logo SORAI
Printed
BEZEL
Microblasted and Polished
Green Ceramic
DIAL
Matte Green Skeleton with
“Rhinoceros” Applique at 9
o’clock
Matte Green Laquered
appliques with White
Luminescent
MOVEMENT
Hublot MHUB1242
UNICO Manufacture Self-winding
chronograph
flyback movement with column wheel
Frequency: 4 Hz; 28’800 A/h
Power reserve: 72 hours
Number of components: 330
Jewels: 38
STRAP AND BUCKLE
STRAP 1
Green Fabric Strap with
Microblasted Black Ceramic Buckle
STRAP 2
Black rubber with Camouflage
Decor
With Black Ceramic and Blackplated Titanium Deployant Buckle
Clasp
PRICE
CHF 22’900
EUR 23’800
USD 24’100
GBP 19’900
