Hublot South East Asia Special Editions

Hublot has released five South East Asia Edition watches in celebration of the sophisticated watch collecting scene in the region. The collection includes three Big Bang references (44 mm, 41 mm and 38 mm), the Classic Fusion 45 mm Aerofusion Chronograph Ceramic and the Spirit of Big Bang 42 mm.

Women’s Collection

The difference is in the diamonds and the details; the Big Bang and the Big Bang Automatic have bezels with a single row of larger diamonds, as opposed to the standard configuration of two rows. Both watches share a lot of similarities: polished and satin-finished stainless-steel cases, black satin-finished sunray dials, polished rhodium-plated hands with white luminescent and matching black alligator straps with rubber underlays.

Where the two models differ, apart from their size, is in their complication. The Big Bang “Steel Diamonds” has a minimalist dial adorned with a date-window at the 3 o’clock position. Whereas, the larger, Big Bang Chronograph boasts a chronograph, to measure elapsed time. Other minor differences include applied military stencil-style hour markers and red minute markers, matching the red central chronograph hand. Both are water-resistant to 100 metres and have a power-reserve of 42 hours.

Both the Big Bang “Steel Diamonds” and the Big Bang Chronograph come on black alligator leather straps, lined with black rubber – an excellent marriage of the comfort and waterproofness of rubber with the luxurious appearance of leather. It’s a perfect combination for the tropical climate of South East Asia.

Men’s Collection

The difference between the regular models and the South East Asia Special Editions is more noticeable within the men’s collection. Watches in the collection include the Big Bang Chronograph, Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph and the Spirit of Big Bang. All three – decked out in black and gold – channel the warmth of the South East Asian climate. While also faithfully paying tribute to the original Hublot watches from the 80s with their gold cases on rubber straps.

Amongst the men’s collection, the Big Bang Chronograph immediately stands out, with its frosted carbon fibre case and bezel. Contrasting against the blacked-out aesthetic of the case and carbon-fibre dial are satin-finished 3N Gold-plated appliqués and hands (with white luminescent). Also worthy of mention is the 3N Gold-plated Hublot ‘H’ at the tip of the red central chronograph hand.

The Hublot Big Bang Chronograph features a tri-compax dial arrangement; running clockwise there’s a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and running seconds at the 9 o’clock position. Continuing the dark theme, the Big Bang Chronograph has a black-lined rubber strap and a micro-blasted black ceramic and black PVD stainless steel deployant buckle clasp. Housing the self-winding Hublot HUB4104 calibre, a 252-part movement with 27 jewels, a frequency of 4 Hz and a power reserve of 42 hours.

Also in the collection: the Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph and the Spirit of Big Bang. Both with black ceramic cases, albeit with different types of finishing, satin-finished 3N Gold-plated appliqués, hands and polished H-shaped screws.

The Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph has a satin-finished and polished black ceramic case and 18K King Gold rectangular chronograph pushers and crown – a first for Hublot. Whereas the tonneau-shaped Spirit of Big Bang has a black micro-blasted ceramic case and bezel lug, black PVD titanium with black rubber insert crown, pushers and a black micro-blasted ceramic case back.

Ticking inside is the HUB 1155 calibre, a self-winding skeleton chronograph movement with 42 hours of power reserve and a water-resistance of 50 metres. The HUB4700 calibre within the Spirit of the Big Bang offers slightly more, with 50 hours of power reserve and 100 metres water-resistance.

The collection, when looked at as a whole, sums up everything Hublot is renowned for: material innovation, bold watchmaking design and complicated watchmaking. It’s an emblematic collection which pays tribute to advanced watch collecting culture and, high level of appreciation Hublot enjoys in the South East Asian region.