Introducing: The Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire

January 25, 2021

LVMH Watch Week continues with a tangerine fever dream from Hublot called the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire. While we've seen lots of different and colorful sapphire-cased watches from Hublot, the brand says this is the first time orange sapphire has been used in this manner, and the effect is, to say the least, striking. The brightly orange form is tinted with titanium and chromium, and this peach of a Hublot is also rocking a brand new partially transparent automatically wound and tourbillon-equipped movement.? Initial Thoughts With a translucent sapphire case measuring 45mm across and 15.3mm thick, this Hublot is certainly less clementine and more naval in its sizing, but I think the aesthetic is quite successful C in a wild sort of way. The vibrance of the orange is nicely matched by the industrial feel of the satin-finished and sandblasted elements of the movement. Furthermore, the open and bright view of the internals is enhanced by a trio of sapphire bridges that support the dial and movement architecture while focusing your eye on the tourbillon and the clever winding rotor execution.? The movement in question is Hublot's new manufacture MHUB6035, and it ticks at 3 Hz while offering a 72-hour power reserve (not to mention a large one-minute tourbillon at six o'clock). Additionally, the micro-rotor sits on the dial-side (you can see it at 12) and has a Hublot-signed and skeletonized winding mass that should provide further animation while on wrist.? Given the full sapphire case and new tourbillon movement, this is no "entry-level" Big Bang, and thus the $169,000 price tag is, at least at some level, a given. For that truly immense sum of money, you do get a very limited creation (only 50 examples will be made) and a seriously complicated and equally orange watch.? The Basics Brand: HublotModel: Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange SapphireReference Number: 419.JO.0120.RTDiameter: 45mmThickness: 15.3mmCase Material: Sapphire, colored orangeDial Color: Transparent Indexes: AppliedWater Resistance: 30 meters Strap/Bracelet: Orange rubber with titanium deployant (folding) buckle clasp The Movement Caliber: Hublot MHUB6035 Functions: Hours, minutes, tourbillon Power Reserve: 72 hoursWinding: Automatic Frequency: 21,600 vphJewels: 26Additional Details: Three bridges in transparent sapphire, 22k white gold micro-rotor, Swiss lever escapement.? Pricing & Availability Price: $169,000Limited Edition: 50 piecesFor more, click here. LVMH Watch Week is an annual launch event for the LVMH watch brands. Some of last year's coverage on HODINKEE can be found here and here. Although?LVMH Luxury Ventures recently became a minority investor in HODINKEE, we maintain complete editorial independence. Shop this story Visit Hodinkee affiliate Crown & Caliber to shop pre-owned Hublot models