Few things have such an appeal, whilst remaining fundamentally dichotomous, as a sports watch completely encased in precious gemstones. There is something so ostentatiously delightful in the level of indulgence on display, when your hard wearing, tough timepiece, is delicately adorned in diamonds.
Hublot, the brand which began with the highly original combination of gold and rubber. This “Art of Fusion” stems from the imagination of its visionary Chairman, JeanClaude Biver, and has been driven forward ever since. Here they introduce three new wristwatches to their collection, as part of their Haute Joaillerie (fine jewellery) collection.
These three new models marry the technical performance of the manufacture movements, the sophisticated beauty of diamonds and the expertise of master watchmakers.
Mechanical brilliance
Big Bang Unico High Jewellery – 334 baguette-cut diamonds – 12.5 carats
Arranged in close rows in invisible closed settings on an 18-karat white gold background, 243 diamonds (8.6 carats) adorn the 42 mm case and the bezel, while 61 stones (1.3 carats) impart a contemporary opulence to the dial of the latest flyback chronograph movement. Its beating heart is the HUB1280 calibre, the Unico 2 manufacture movement featuring brand new architecture and innovations including an oscillating second clutch and an adjustable ball bearing chronograph friction system. Four patent applications have been filed for this technological wonder, which is paired with an alligator strap featuring a deployant buckle set with 30 diamonds (2.6 carats).
A precious piece
Spirit of Big Bang High Jewellery – 346 baguette-cut diamonds – 13.1 carats
Aficionados consider the Hublot HUB4700 movement to be one of the finest Swiss chronographs ever created. Its design is directly inspired by the Big Bang, a unique case construction that allows for an infinite combination of materials. In the High Jewellery version, 178 diamonds (8.1 carats) adorn the silhouette of its tonneau case, while 113 more (2.1 carats) are set around the edges of the indices and the minute disc at 3 o’clock, the hour disc at 6 o’clock and the second disc at 9 o’clock. The elegant strap, in alligator leather sewn onto natural rubber with a buckle set with 55 baguette-cut diamonds (2.9 carats), completes this precious piece.
A mesmerising paved setting
Classic Fusion High Jewellery – 427 baguette-cut diamonds – 20.8 carats
In an invisible closed setting that allows the merest glimpse of 18-karat white gold, no fewer than 391 diamonds (18.6 carats) encrust the elegantly contemporary Classic Fusion High Jewellery in its entirety, producing a hypnotic shimmering effect. The indices and hours are built into a circle around the hands, creating an impression of height. A composition of rectangular and trapeze-cut stones covers the entire surface of the dial, converging in the centre beneath which beats the HUB1710 self-winding movement. The buckle on the alligator leather and natural rubber strap is also set with 36 diamonds (2.2 carats).
International Pricing :
BIG BANG UNICO HIGH JEWELLERY – 300,000.00 CHF
SPIRIT OF BIG BANG HIGH JEWELLERY – 350,000.00CHF
CLASSIC FUSION HIGH JEWELLERY – 350,000.00 CHF
