The Big Bang Unico is undoubtedly the most important novelty for Hublot in 2013. Indeed, it represents better than any other watch from the collection the strategy and the upmarket move of the brand. For many years, the Big Bang proved to be the incarnation of the fusion of materials dear to Jean-Claude Biver’s heart. The mechanical side was not essential, Hublot focusing mostly on reliable and easy to service 7750 movements for its chronographs even if some Big Bang could be equipped with more exclusive calibers. Given the evolution of the watch market, it became crucial for Hublot to have its own chronograph movement to support its growth ambition. The Unico movement is however not only an in-house chronograph movement. It is actually a real basic movement that can host other complications such the display of several timezones (Unico GMT). This is why it has a similar architecture to that of a modular movement as evidenced by the presence of the chronograph mechanism on the dial side. Beyond its clever architecture and its modularity, the Unico can allow us to enjoy advantageously the dial openings that reveal some elements of the chronograph mechanism like the column wheel.
If the first watches that used the new movement were the King Power, it was paradoxically a Big Bang which really put it under the spotlight. The Big Bang Ferrari has met since its launch a great success and it has been able to take advantage of the whole of the benefits provided by the Unico: a 72 hours power reserve, a flyback function and the column wheel visible on the dial side without forgetting the technical specifications that ensure the reliability of the movement behavior. Unquestionably, the Big Bang Ferrari foreshadowed what would be today’s new Big Bang Unico.
However, considering the latter as a simple evolution of the Ferrari watches is a quick shortcut. They have their own characteristics that distinguish them to the “Prancing Horse” watches. Thanks to its special design, the Unico is a very nice movement to watch.
The winding rotor made of tungsten is treated with a black satin finish, consistent with the bridges. Beneath the balance wheel, the pallet fork and escapement wheel are guessed thanks to the purple color of silicon. Its performances are quite respectable: a 72 hours power reserve, a 4hz frequency, the flyback and a 60 minute counter.
