20 Years Of The Big Bang: Hublot’s Relentless Pursuit Of The New
4 min read
When Hublot launched the Big Bang in 2005, it wasn’t trying to fit in with the rest of the Swiss watch industry—it was trying to rethink it. In an era still dominated by classicism and conservatism, the Big Bang was provocative: large, multi-material, and unapologetically modern. It fused gold with ceramic, rubber with carbon fibre, and ushered in a new design language that felt more industrial, more architectural, and far more aligned with the contemporary collector.
Twenty years later, the Big Bang is not just a bestselling flagship. It’s a case study in how a brand can evolve without losing its edge. To celebrate two decades of its most emblematic collection, Hublot has unveiled a 5-piece limited edition capsule that bridges the original Big Bang DNA with the technical evolution of the Big Bang Unico. This anniversary series isn’t just nostalgic—it’s forensic in its attention to what made the Big Bang an icon, and where it’s headed next.
The Anniversary Editions: A Fusion of Time
Each of the five new 43mm anniversary models captures the essence of Hublot’s journey—from the raw innovation of the first Big Bangs to the mechanical muscle of the Unico generation. The design language is deliberate: layered case construction, pinched lugs, knurled bezels, and riveted numerals nod to the original models, while the high-performance Unico calibre inside cements these as modern machines. Aesthetic consistency meets technical progress. This is Hublot’s way of showing that evolution doesn’t erase identity—it amplifies it.
Edition Overview: Five Faces of a Legacy
1. Titanium Ceramic & King Gold Ceramic
These two editions—limited to 500 and 250 pieces respectively—bring back the materials that made the Big Bang a talking point in 2005. The fusion of high-tech ceramic with titanium or Hublot’s proprietary King Gold is as refined as it is symbolic. Details matter: the knurled bezels, lozenge-patterned rubber straps, and red chronograph accents echo the debut references, while the Unico movement within speaks to 2025's engineering prowess.
2. Red Magic
Red ceramic isn't just eye-catching—it’s a material achievement. Introduced by Hublot in 2018, this vivid hue represents one of the most complex colours to stabilize in ceramic. Limited to just 100 pieces, the Red Magic is a testament to the brand’s unmatched mastery of coloured ceramics. The dial’s carbon fibre motif, bright red case, and matching strap give this edition a bold yet cohesive identity.
3. All Black
Launched in 2006, the original All Black concept defied the traditional purpose of a watch: legibility. Instead, it leaned into stealth aesthetics and monochromatic design, sparking a trend that would ripple across the industry. The 20th anniversary All Black brings back that rebellious spirit with a matte and polished black ceramic case and black carbon-pattern dial—a reminder that minimalism can still provoke.
4. Magic Gold
The most technically sophisticated of the five, the Magic Gold edition features Hublot’s proprietary scratch-resistant 18K gold alloy—a fusion of gold and ceramic created in-house. With only 100 units available, this version pairs science with spectacle. The golden hue, slightly tinged with olive, gives it a visual depth unlike any other material on the market.
What’s Inside: The UNICO Movement
All five editions are powered by the MHUB1280.20YEARS calibre—an in-house automatic flyback chronograph with a 72-hour power reserve. This isn’t just a powerhouse movement—it’s a statement that Hublot’s mechanical credibility has long caught up with its material bravado. Look closely, and you’ll find the commemorative 20th-anniversary engraving on the rotor, along with signature finishing across bridges and plates.
Where most anniversary editions lean heavily on past success, Hublot’s approach is different. These watches aren’t remakes—they’re reinterpretations. They merge two decades of design language and technical evolution into a singular form factor. The message is clear: the Big Bang isn’t just surviving—it’s still defining the shape of modern watchmaking.
Hublot’s Big Bang didn’t just make noise in 2005—it permanently altered the watchmaking conversation. Twenty years later, it continues to challenge what a luxury watch can look like, feel like, and be made of. With this capsule collection, Hublot isn’t resting on its legacy. It’s expanding it.
And if the past is anything to go by, the next twenty years will be just as unpredictable—and just as exciting.
