Hublot Big Bang Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary

Partnerships in the luxury industry often feel transactional, a simple logo swap to move inventory, but the relationship between Hublot and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons operates on a different frequency entirely. This is a bond forged over decades, rooted in a mutual understanding of what drives the collector mentality in the Middle East. We are witnessing a convergence of two massive milestones that have shaped the modern horological landscape: the twentieth anniversary of the Hublot Big Bang, a design that completely disrupted the status quo of Swiss watchmaking, and the seventy-fifth anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, the custodians of time in the region. To commemorate this dual celebration, the two entities have come together at the seventh edition of Dubai Watch Week to unveil a pair of timepieces that are as technically proficient as they are culturally significant. The Hublot Big Bang Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary editions are not merely re-colored catalog items; they are a deliberate and thoughtful fusion of Hublot’s aggressive material science and the Seddiqi family’s deep-seated heritage.

The venue for this unveiling, Dubai Watch Week, is significant in itself because it represents the shift of horological gravity. While Geneva and Basel were once the undisputed and sole capitals of watch culture, Dubai has firmly established itself as a critical hub for serious scholarship and appreciation of the craft. It was here, amidst the global gathering of media, collectors, and industry titans, that Hublot CEO Julien Tornare and Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons CEO Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi presented these two limited editions. The atmosphere surrounding the release speaks to the maturity of the market there; collectors in the region are sophisticated, favoring bold expressions of mechanical art over conservative tradition. These new Big Bang models, available in a strictly limited run of ten pieces for the All Black ceramic version and twenty-five pieces for the Titanium Grey, are calibrated specifically for this audience. They eschew standard Roman or Western Arabic numerals for Eastern Arabic numerals, a design choice that immediately grounds the Swiss mechanics in the local culture of the Emirates.



To truly appreciate the weight of this release, one must understand the trajectory of the Big Bang itself. When it launched in 2005, the watch landscape was vastly different, dominated by heritage brands playing it safe with modest sizes and traditional materials. The Big Bang was a shock to the system. It introduced the concept of the "sandwich" case construction, which allowed for the mixing of materials—Kevlar, rubber, gold, ceramic—in ways that had never been industrialized before. Twenty years later, that silhouette is unmistakable. The Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary editions utilize the 43mm evolution of this case, a size that commands presence without becoming unwearable. The architecture of the case remains one of the most complex in the industry, featuring the signature H-shaped screws on the bezel and a multi-component structure that allows for distinct finishing techniques on every surface. In these new references, that architectural depth is used to highlight the contrast between the industrial coldness of titanium or ceramic and the warmth of the applied Eastern Arabic numerals.

Let us first examine the Big Bang Titanium Grey Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary, a watch that acts as a study in controlled contrast. The case is crafted from polished and satin-finished titanium, a metal chosen for its superior strength-to-weight ratio and its hypoallergenic properties. Titanium has a distinct, gunmetal grey hue that differs significantly from the bright white of steel or platinum. Hublot has leaned into this industrial aesthetic but elevated it with the inclusion of 18K King Gold. This is not standard gold; King Gold is a proprietary alloy developed by Hublot that contains platinum, ensuring the color remains stable and does not oxidize over time. On this model, the King Gold is used for the H-shaped screws on the bezel, the crown, and the chronograph pushers. The visual effect is striking. The warm, reddish tone of the gold cuts through the cool, monochromatic grey of the titanium, creating a two-tone aesthetic that feels modern rather than retro. It is a look that suggests luxury without resorting to full-gold ostentation, striking a balance that fits perfectly with the contemporary lifestyle of a Dubai collector.

The dial of the Titanium Grey model is where the "Art of Fusion" philosophy becomes most visible. The surface features a stamped satin-finished "carbon effect," which presents visually as a sophisticated checkerboard or weave pattern. This texture catches the light in interesting ways, creating depth and movement as the wrist rotates. Against this geometric backdrop, the Eastern Arabic numerals are applied in a gold tone to match the case accents. The indices are bold, luminescent, and architecturally tall, sitting high off the dial surface to increase legibility. The layout is a bi-compax chronograph configuration, with sub-dials at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. These sub-dials are not solid circles but rather rings that allow the checkerboard pattern of the main dial to show through, maintaining the visual continuity of the face. The hands are skeletonized and faceted, gold-plated and satin-finished, ensuring they are easily readable against the complex background without blocking the view of the chronograph registers.



Moving to the second piece in this commemorative duo, the Big Bang All Black Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary takes a decidedly more stealthy approach. Limited to just ten pieces, this watch is a manifestation of Hublot’s "Invisible Visibility" concept. The entire case, including the bezel and case back, is machined from microblasted black ceramic. Ceramic is an incredibly difficult material to work with, requiring diamond-tipped tools to machine, but the result is a scratch-proof surface that will look brand new decades from now. The microblasting process gives the ceramic a matte, non-reflective finish that absorbs light rather than reflecting it, giving the watch a tactical, almost architectural vibe. Unlike the Titanium model which uses gold for contrast, the All Black creates drama through texture. The screws, crown, and pushers are all black-plated titanium or black rubber, maintaining the monochromatic theme.

However, even on the All Black model, legibility and identity are preserved. The dial features the same stamped carbon-effect checkerboard pattern, but here it is black-plated. The Eastern Arabic numerals are also black-plated but finished with a satin brush that differentiates them from the matte dial background. It requires a second look to fully appreciate the details, rewarding the wearer with a discovery process every time they check the time. This watch is for the collector who does not need their timepiece to shout across the room; it is a personal luxury, a secret handshake between the brand and the owner. The only disruption to the darkness is the subtle date window at 4:30, which uses a black wheel with grey numerals, integrating seamlessly into the minute track. This level of restraint is difficult to achieve, as the temptation is often to add color for readability, but Hublot has stuck to its convictions here to create a piece of pure design sculpture.

Mechanically, both watches are powered by the same engine, the HUB1280 Unico Manufacture movement. This is a critical point of distinction because the Unico is not an off-the-shelf movement; it was designed and developed entirely in-house by Hublot’s R&D team in Nyon. It is a self-winding flyback chronograph, a complication that allows the user to reset the timing function to zero and instantly restart it with a single push of the button at 4 o'clock. This is significantly more complex to engineer than a standard chronograph, which requires a stop-reset-start sequence. The movement is composed of 354 individual components and 43 jewels, beating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour). One of the most enjoyable features of the Unico caliber for a gearhead is that the column wheel—the command center of the chronograph that controls the start, stop, and reset functions—is positioned on the dial side. This means the wearer can watch the mechanical levers and the column wheel rotate and engage every time they activate the pushers.



Turning the watch over reveals another layer of exclusivity specific to this partnership. The case back is fitted with a sapphire crystal, offering a full view of the movement's architecture. The standout feature here is the custom oscillating weight. Crafted from 22K 4N gold, the rotor is open-worked and dramatically engraved with the "Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary" logo. Using 22K gold for the rotor is a significant upgrade in terms of luxury and mass; the heavier gold weight improves the winding efficiency of the watch compared to standard tungsten or steel rotors. The warm tone of the gold rotor contrasts beautifully against the industrial grey of the movement bridges in the Titanium version and stands out even more starkly against the black ceramic of the All Black version. The case back ring is also engraved with the specific limitation number (e.g., "N°00/10" or "N°00/25"), ensuring that the owner knows exactly where their piece stands in the production run.

The strap integration is another hallmark of the Big Bang design language that is executed perfectly here. Hublot was the brand that made rubber straps on luxury watches acceptable, and they continue to innovate in this space. The Titanium Grey model comes with a black and silvered structured rubber strap that mimics the checkerboard pattern of the dial. It is thick, pliable, and incredibly durable. The All Black model is fitted with a black structured rubber strap with the same texture. Both straps are integrated directly into the case using Hublot’s "One Click" system, which is likely the easiest strap-change mechanism in the industry, allowing the wearer to swap straps in seconds without tools. The straps are secured by a deployant buckle—titanium for the grey model and black ceramic and black-plated titanium for the black model—which ensures the watch remains securely on the wrist and balances the weight of the watch head effectively.

It is impossible to discuss these watches without acknowledging the history of the partner they celebrate. Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons was established in 1950, a time when the Trucial States were on the cusp of transformation. Ahmed Seddiqi had a vision to bring Swiss horology to the region, building relationships with brands one by one. Today, under the leadership of the second and third generations, the company manages over fifty locations and represents over one hundred brands. They are not just retailers; they are educators and community builders. The 75th anniversary is a testament to their resilience and their ability to adapt to a rapidly changing luxury landscape. By partnering with Hublot, a brand that represents the "new guard" of high-end watchmaking, Seddiqi signals that while they honor their past, they are firmly focused on the future of collecting.

The technical specifications of these watches are robust enough to handle daily wear in any environment, including the extreme heat of the Gulf. The cases are water-resistant to 10 ATM (100 meters), meaning they are perfectly capable of being worn while swimming. The 72-hour power reserve is another practical benefit, allowing the wearer to take the watch off on Friday and pick it up on Monday morning without it having stopped. The sapphire crystal is treated with an anti-reflective coating, which is essential for reading the dial in the bright desert sun. The dimensions—43mm wide and 13.2mm thick—are substantial, but the way the lugs angle sharply downward allows the strap to hug the wrist, making the watch wear smaller than the numbers might suggest.



The visual details of the Titanium Grey model, when observed closely, reveal the level of finishing Hublot achieves. The satin finishing on the titanium bezel is vertical, while the case flanks are polished, creating a play of light that accentuates the sharp angles of the case design. The pushers have a tactile, rubberized feel to them, likely due to the overmolded rubber on the King Gold, which provides grip when operating the chronograph. The crown is substantial, easy to grip, and features the Hublot "H" logo on the end. The Eastern Arabic numerals on the dial are not flat; they have dimension and faceted edges that catch the light, matching the gold-plated hands. The date window is discreet, but the font used for the date numerals is standard Western Arabic, which provides a small but functional contrast to the hour markers.

On the All Black model, the texture is the star. The microblasted ceramic feels almost soft to the touch, like a smooth stone, yet it is harder than steel. The monochromatic look is broken only by the different textures—the rubber strap, the matte case, the satin dial, and the polished screw heads. This interplay of blacks and dark greys is what makes the watch readable. It is a very specific aesthetic that appeals to a collector who values discretion. The 10-piece limitation makes this version one of the rarest Big Bangs produced in recent years, ensuring that seeing one in the wild will be a virtually nonexistent occurrence outside of the most exclusive circles.

The collaboration also highlights the personal relationship between the leadership of both companies. Mohammed Abdulmagied Seddiqi has often spoken about the importance of relationships in the watch industry, and his connection with Hublot has been instrumental in growing the brand's footprint in the Middle East. This partnership goes beyond business; it is a shared passion for mechanical innovation. Hublot’s willingness to customize the oscillating weight and the dial indices specifically for this anniversary demonstrates a level of flexibility and respect that large luxury groups rarely afford to retailers. It transforms the watch from a product into a tribute.



Ultimately, these two timepieces stand as markers of time in more ways than one. They mark the passage of 75 years for a family business that helped build Dubai into a luxury capital. They mark 20 years of a watch design that changed the industry. And they mark a moment in time where the preferences of Middle Eastern collectors are driving global design trends. The use of Eastern Arabic numerals was once a niche modification for special orders; now, thanks to partners like Seddiqi and brands like Hublot, it is a recognized and celebrated design language in the global lexicon of horology. These watches are functional objects, yes, but they are also cultural artifacts that tell the story of a region's rise to prominence in the collecting world.

Availability for these models is understandably scarce given the extremely low production numbers. The Hublot Big Bang Titanium Grey Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary (Ref. 431.NO.4280.RX.SDQ25) is priced at 25,200 USD and is limited to just 25 pieces. The even more exclusive Hublot Big Bang All Black Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary (Ref. 431.CI.1340.RX.SDQ25) carries a price tag of 28,600 USD and is strictly limited to 10 pieces worldwide. Both models are available exclusively through Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons boutiques. Given the significance of the anniversary and the loyal following both the retailer and the brand command in the region, it is expected that these allocations were spoken for almost immediately upon their reveal at Dubai Watch Week.

Big Bang All Black Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary

Case: 43mm diameter, 13.2mm thickness, Microblasted Black Ceramic; Black plated H-shaped polished titanium screws; Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment; Satin-finished black plated titanium crown with black rubber; Satin-finished and polished black plated titanium pushers with black rubber; Microblasted black ceramic case back; Water resistant to 10 ATM (100m).

Movement: HUB1280 Unico Manufacture Self-Winding Chronograph; 354 components; 43 jewels; Frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 A/h); 72-hour power reserve; Date window at 4:30; 22K 4N gold oscillating weight engraved with "Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary".

Dial: Stamped satin-finished "Carbon Effect" black-plated dial; Black plated satin-finished hands; Eastern Arabic numerals.

Strap: Black structured rubber strap; Black ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle.

Price: $28,600 USD

Reference Number: 431.CI.1340.RX.SDQ25 (Limited to 10 pieces)

Notes: Released to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and the 20th Anniversary of the Big Bang; Features a custom 22K gold rotor and Eastern Arabic numerals.



Big Bang Titanium Grey Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary

Case: 43mm diameter, 13.2mm thickness, Polished and Satin-finished Titanium; H-shaped polished 18K 5N gold screws; Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment; Satin-finished 18K King Gold crown with black overmolded rubber; Satin-finished and polished 18K King Gold pushers with black rubber; Satin-finished titanium case back; Water resistant to 10 ATM (100m).

Movement: HUB1280 Unico Manufacture Self-Winding Chronograph; 354 components; 43 jewels; Frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 A/h); 72-hour power reserve; Date window at 4:30; 22K 4N gold oscillating weight engraved with "Ahmed Seddiqi 75th Anniversary".

Dial: Stamped satin-finished "Carbon Effect" rhodium-plated dial; Gold plated satin-finished hands; Eastern Arabic numerals.

Strap: Black and silvered structured rubber strap; Titanium deployant buckle.

Price: $25,200 USD

Reference Number: 431.NO.4280.RX.SDQ25 (Limited to 25 pieces)

Notes: Released to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons and the 20th Anniversary of the Big Bang; Features a custom 22K gold rotor and Eastern Arabic numerals.