In its latest release, Hublot continues its exploration of SAXEM – a material often used in satellites and some lasers – allowing the Manufacture to obtain unprecedented translucent colours, which are neon yellow. A first for Hublot and watchmaking.
A little over three years ago, Hublot released the visually stunning Big Bang MP-11 in a translucent neon green material called SAXEM. And this year, for LVMH Watch Week, they’ve taken this to the next level with the next SAXEM edition, the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Neon Yellow, with a 72hr power reserve, Tourbillon at 6 O’Clock and fully skeletonised, something of a major technical feat!
For those that may have missed the original Big Bang SAXEM release in 2019, SAXEM is a material that was originally developed in the field of satellite technology. SAXEM stands for “Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Mineral”. It is an alloy of aluminium oxide, the basic component of sapphire, with rare earth elements like thulium and holmium, as well as chromium. The resulting material is ultra-resistant and endowed with a brilliance that is greater than that of sapphire.
According to Hublot, SAXEM guarantees the same shade and intensity of colour, regardless of the angle from which the case is viewed, meaning that whichever angle you view the watch from, it will look just as Neon, just a brilliant and in the case of this new release, just as yellow!
The Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM is powered by the HUB6035 self-winding Manufacture calibre. With a self-winding using a micro-rotor, Hublot has ensured that the engineering in the movement is on full display, and with this particular model, if the press release images are as close to real life as this writer hopes, then they’d done a standout job making sure it can be admired from both front and back.
The boffins at Hublot have even taken this skeletonisation a step further, with even its bridges being made from sapphire so that only the beating heart and soul of the watch remain – In this case, that heart is the tourbillon, which appears to be suspended in mid-air at the 6 O’Clock position, as to not obscure any part of the movement, but it also gives the movement from the dial side balance, offsetting the miro-rotor visible at the 12 O’Clock position.
The Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Yellow Neon SAXEM offers a guaranteed 72-hour power reserve – making the piece perfectly weekend-proof and ideal for daily wear.
This timepiece, which will be exclusively available as a limited edition of 50 pieces, came with a neon yellow textured rubber strap, tailor-made for this watch, complete with a titanium deployant buckle and equipped with the One Click system so that it can be changed immediately with no need for tools.
Reference: 429.JY.0120.RT
Specification:
- Case: 44 mm and 14.4mm in thickness
- Case Material: Polished and microblasted neon yellow SAXEM with “One Click” system
- Dial: Sapphire crystal
- Crystal: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 30 metres with screw-down crown
- Movement: HUB6035 Manufacture automatic tourbillon movement
- Power reserve: 72 Hours
- Bracelet: Lined, transparent neon yellow rubber strap and Titanium deployant buckle clasp
- Bezel: Polished and micro-blasted neon yellow SAXEM
- Case-Back: Polished neon yellow SAXEM and sapphire crystal with anti- reflective treatment
