Watches & Wonders 2022: Hublot - Big Bang Tourbillion Automatic Purple Sapphire

Although synthetic sapphire was around in 1902, it still doesn't make the process any easy. Due to the instability of the crystallization process, maintaining the consistency of the colour of the sapphire is quite a challenge. Hublot however has never walked away from a challenge. From the Big Bang Unico Sapphire (transparent), the All Black Sapphire, the Big Bang Unico Red and Blue Sapphire, the Spirit of Big Bang Yellow Sapphire, or the latest Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire this year at Watches & Wonders, Hublot has introduced a new Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic in a translucent purple. 

As mentioned before, working with sapphire is no easy task. Each new colour is the result of very subtle alchemy in order to combine a powerful, expressive and precise shade, which is also translucent, perfectly homogeneous within the mass of a highly-complex case. What's unique here is the marriage of a traditional complication (the tourbillon) with a disruptive material (sapphire) in a totally exclusive colour. When wearing its Tourbillon next to the skin, you have the sensation of a completely translucent case that reveals every last detail.

It features a translucent bezel and case in finely polished purple sapphire complemented by six H-shaped titanium screws that are quite specific to the Big Bang design. When it comes to the movement, the self-winding tourbillon offers a three-day power reserve. The tourbillon carriage at 6 o'clock, which turns on itself in one minute, lets you plunge right into the heart of the mechanism. 

The winding system on this Big Bang uses ceramic ball bearings. Rather than achieving this with a traditional oscillating weight, it uses a micro-rotor perfectly inserted into the heart of the calibre: a much more demanding technical choice giving you a clearer view of the whole movement. Placed at 12 o'clock this micro-rotor also provides a fine aesthetic balance with the tourbillon located at 6 o'clock, which shares the same proportions.

The visibility of the open dial is enhanced by hands and hour markers highlighted by a luminescent coating. The transparent purple rubber strap with lined relief – featuring the patented One-Click express interchangeability system and titanium folding clasp - completes the avant-garde style of this limited edition of 50 pieces.

Kudos to the innovation, however the new Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic in a translucent purple is most certainly an acquired taste.