In 2022, Hublot unveiled a world-first, a new square-shaped Bang Unico. The Square Bang Unico has enjoyed a great deal of success since its release. On the back of this impressive design, Hublot is releasing three new models this year for the Square Bang Unico, unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2023. The three new editions being presented is the Square Bang Unico in sapphire and two models in ceramic.
The 2022 Square Bang Unico joins Hublot’s barrel-shaped models already featured in the “Shaped Collection”. The square-shaped design with its distinctive geometry gives an alternative to watchmakers that are accustomed to working with round cases. Hublot’s knowledge and expertise in materials and the sandwich-like construction for this design, allows them to take the standard square case and turn it into something truly special. The Maison’s signature features such as the 6 functional H-shaped screws are clearly visible on all three models.
Ricardo Guadalupe, Hublot CEO, explains the new models by stating “True to its motto—First, Unique, Different—Hublot has boldly and successfully ventured into the realm of square watch design with the Square Bang Unico. We view this model as a new arena to showcase our technical savoir-faire by embracing the challenge of developing new editions using state-of-the-art materials. The Art of Fusion!”.
A year after the initial release of the Square Bang Unico, Hublot has brought it back to the drawing board to create some exceptional timepieces. Using Maison’s incredible skills in the art of creating sapphire watches, they have released the Square Bang Unico Sapphire, limited to just 250 timepieces. Despite the challenges faced with the square-format of the timepiece and the case’s multi-layered sapphire construction, the designers and engineers at Hublot have been able to make the case water-resistant to 50m (5 bar). The sapphire edition of the Square Bang Unico is given a transparent structured rubber strap so that the aesthetics of the watch and strap are similar.
The Square Bang Unico is also being presented in two new editions made in ceramic, showcasing the brand’s power and position as a pioneer and leader in the use of ceramics. The first edition is a micro-blasted and polished white ceramic timepiece that also has a micro-blasted and polished white ceramic bezel. This timepiece is given a white structured rubber strap with white ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle. The second variation has the exact same design and features except everything is coloured black.
The movement for these three new editions for the Square Bang Unico remains unchanged from the movement in the initial release model last year. The Unico 2 movement was designed to be equipped with smaller timepieces and is the perfect candidate for the square-shaped watch. Known as HUB1280, the movement operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28,800 VpH) and gives out a 3-day power reserve (72 hours).
In a market heavily driven by traditional design with round cases, these three new additions bring the spotlight albeit for the time being onto square-shaped cases. For the first time, Hublot has used its extensive expertise in sapphire materials to bring it into a Square Bang Unico edition. The two ceramic editions add to Hublot’s showcasing of an exceptional mastery of these state-of-the-art materials.
References: SAPPHIRE821.JX.0120.RT, WHITE CERAMIC821.HX.0170.RX, BLACK MAGIC821.CI.0170.RX
Specification:
- Case: 42mm
- Case Material: Polished Sapphire Crystal or microblasted and PolishedWhiteor BlackCeramic
- Dial: Sapphire Crystal
- Crystal: Crystal Sapphire with Anti-reflectiveTreatment
- Water resistance: 50m (5 Bar)
- Movement: MHUB1280 UNICO 2 ManufactureSelf-winding ChronographFlyback Movement
- Power reserve: 72 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Transparent Structured Rubber Strap or White or Black Structured Rubber Straps.
