Hublot is showing us how a substantial looking watch can weigh virtually nothing with the new Big Bang Unico GMT.
Since Hublot started the Unico in-house movement production years ago, it has been in full control of the R&D and design of its movements, which allows the brand to come up with unique and complex variations. The Unico HUB1251 movement on the new watch is redesigned to support two time zones, but it works differently than other GMT movements in the market. The two-push buttons on the side of the case allow effortless local time adjustment. Pressing the push-button at 2 o’clock moves the time forward hour by hour, while pressing the one at 4 o’clock moves it back. Both push-buttons work without interfering with the gears for the minutes and seconds to maintain accuracy. The home time is clearly indicated by the arrow-shaped handle together with the day/night disc, a convenient feature for frequent flyers.
Hublot is one of the few watchmakers focusing on the high-end sports watch market. The company uses various materials for its cases, but all are at least 42 mm diameter and paired with a natural rubber strap. Big Bang Unico GMT offers two material options – titanium or carbon fibre – for the 45 mm case. It comes with a ribbed black and blue natural rubber strap, but with the “One Click” interchangeable strap system owners can get plenty of additional strap options and swap them in seconds. The GMT functioned Unico HUB1251 movement is driven by 358 components and can be appreciated through the skeleton dial. It beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a power reserve of 72 hours.
