The latest release from Hublot sees them don their Big Bang model in camouflage. Hublot has once again partnered up with Yohji Yamamoto to create this limited-edition timepiece, a watch that looks tough but yet playful. Hublot has previously partnered up with Yohji Yamamoto, to make the Big Bang GMT All Black Yohji Yamamoto.
This previous edition like the new Camo Big Bang, had similar design principles, in that the different elements were blended together. The all-black colour scheme of the Big Bang GMT made the timepiece subtle to look at while being fashion-forward.
Yohji Yamamoto is known to have revolutionised fashion and design. Yohji Yamamoto designs are created to raise questions. For the last 50 years, Yohji Yamamoto has been designing timeless style that goes beyond established notions. Yohji Yamamoto sees the fabrics that are created by the artisans in Japan, which come mostly in black as both being arrogant and modest.
The use of camouflage in the new Big Bang goes back to Yohji Yamamoto’s previous workwear collection, which the designer states that it highlights the fact that the act of choosing our clothing is an expression of our role and recognition in the society. Yohji Yamamoto has mastered the art of contradiction and antagonism, and with this latest camouflage design, it is the representation of the present and future coming together seamlessly.
In regards to his fashion design work, Yohji Yamamoto states that
I am powerfully drawn to a cutting-edge approach, in the sense that it expresses a point of view that is slightly removed from traditional values. Each collection incorporates a message about what I am feeling right now. It is a way to invite people to question what is already there, which is something I value greatly.
The Big Bang Camo Yohji Yamamoto comes in a 45mm microblasted and polished black ceramic case, with the bezel being made from the same material and finish. Apart from the all-black look which Yohji Yamamoto loves, the dial has a camouflage decor. The dial isn’t’ full camouflage, however. It is a skeletonised dial with the centre portion filled with camo. If you look closely, the date ring can be seen around the outer ring of the dial as well.
The hands and hour indexes have been done in black, which serves its purpose of blending into the camouflage dial. The drawback of all this is that the dial can be somewhat hard to read at first glance, but that’s what the camo is supposed to do in the first place isn’t it?
Two chronograph counters are also present at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions, with a very subtle date window added inside the 3 o’clock counter. The counters themselves are constant 60-second at 9 o’clock and an hour counter at 3 o’clock.
The movement used inside the Big Bang Camo Yohji Yamamoto is Hublot’s in-house calibre HUB1242. This UNICO Manufacture movement is self-winding chronograph flyback with column wheel. With roughly 330 components and a frequency of 4hz (28, 800 vph), the calibre HUB1242 produces approximately 72 hours of power reserve. On the case back, the words “LIMITED EDITION 200NUM” has been engraved.
This latest collaboration with Yohji Yamamoto to create the Big Bang Camo Yohji Yamamoto showcases the designer’s values for rebellious spirit, a strong will, and cutting-edge individuality.
Ricardo Guadalupe, CEO of HUBLOT put it best when he stated
Like Hublot, Yohji Yamamoto is constantly questioning the traditional tenets of the world he takes on – fashion – in his creations. The unique character of his creations, which use surprising materials not usually used in the world of fashion, make him a pioneer in the industry. This stance is not dissimilar to the philosophy behind the creation of our watches. The Big Bang that he has designed with Hublot echoes our shared codes and sports its camouflage motif in a truly original way through a set of outlines, superimposed on the sapphire dial, and vulcanised on the strap – a technology that Hublot introduced to the watchmaking sector for the first time in 2019.
