I must admit that when I look at the Hublot Big Bang range there is such similarity between certain models that it’s easy to become turned around and lose sight of what makes each model special or unique, even in some of its more unusual iterations like the Square Bang. However, with the new Square Bang Tourbillon 4-Day Power Reserve what makes it special is immediately apparent. It’s the first Square Bang that’s not a chronograph and, more importantly, features a very distinctive skeleton display.
As this is the first tourbillon model in the Square Bang collection, Hublot wanted to give it a special case. As such, they’ve completely redesigned the 42mm design in a carbon composite material woven into vertical and horizontal lines. It makes for a very striking, patterned texture across the flanks of the case and broad, flat bezel. It’s slightly bizarre to see a material that normally feels organic and random tamed into rigid lines – that’s because carbon composites are typically made from carbon fibres that are bonded using a resin to make it extra strong, often creating random patterns in the material. However, through careful production, the resulting pattern can be predetermined as is the case here.
Speaking of rigid lines, the skeletonised display features entirely square bridges. It gives the piece a sort of modernist appeal, like a Mondrian painting. It’s like the dial is full of windows through which you are invited to inspect isolated elements of the movement inside, parcelled up into bitesize chunks for your enjoyment. It creates a juxtaposition with the circular elements of the movement’s mechanism such as the gear train, power reserve indicator, power barrel and titular tourbillon.
It’s notable that each of those four elements are specifically arranged to match the four sides of the square design: power barrel at 12 o’clock, winding system at 3 o’clock, tourbillon at 6 and power reserve indicator at 9. It doesn’t necessarily balance the display because each one of those elements is very different in size and function, but it does create a sense of harmony.
The movement powering the Square Bang Tourbillon is the MHUB6023. It’s a manual winding calibre with a 96-hour power reserve, which is where the “4-Day Power Reserve” part of the watch’s full title comes in. Tourbillons are quite a power intensive complication due to their constant rotation so a 4-day reserve is solidly impressive. That’s also why the power barrel occupies so much space at the top of the display.
As for price, the Hublot Square Bang Tourbillon 4-Day Power Reserve comes in at £91,000. That’s quite the eye-watering price but then this is Hublot so what else were you expecting? It is at least a watch with quite a lot of character thanks to the dynamic, geometric display.
Price and Specs:
More details at Hublot.
So, to paraphrase, the difference between men and boys is classed as the cost of their toys.
I’m sure I had something this this when I was a kid (if I remember correctly, it was a giveaway with some action comic), obviously not a real watch, but something that must have been worn by one of the wooden puppets on some kids programme. So now we have the “grown-ups” version, a working version for the wooden headed whom are willing to meet the criteria and pay £91k