Hublot, a name that has become synonymous with a daring approach to watchmaking, continues to push the boundaries of material innovation and design. The brand, which first gained notoriety in 1980 by audaciously pairing a gold case with a rubber strap, fundamentally altered the landscape of luxury horology. This pioneering spirit gave birth to the "Art of Fusion," a philosophy that remains at the core of Hublot's identity. This concept is not merely a marketing slogan but a tangible commitment to combining unexpected materials, traditional craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technology. The Big Bang collection, introduced in 2005, stands as a testament to this philosophy, quickly achieving iconic status with its distinctive design, imposing size, and innovative layered case construction. The Big Bang was not just a new watch; it was a statement, earning
Hublot the Best Design award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in its debut year and solidifying its place as a revolutionary force in 21st-century watchmaking.
The evolution of the Big Bang has been a continuous exploration of new territories, both in terms of aesthetics and mechanical prowess. Hublot has consistently sought to redefine what a luxury sports watch can be, incorporating materials like carbon fiber, ceramic, and even proprietary alloys like Magic Gold. The in-house development of movements such as the Unico chronograph and the Meca-10, with its impressive power reserve, further underscores the brand's commitment to technical excellence and its relentless pursuit of innovation. Each iteration of the Big Bang builds upon this legacy, challenging conventions and offering a fresh perspective on timekeeping. It is within this context of bold experimentation and unwavering dedication to the "Art of Fusion" that Hublot introduces its latest creation, a timepiece that captures the essence of urban landscapes and mechanical artistry.
Courtesy of Hublot
On May 28th, 2025, from the vibrant heart of New York City, Hublot unveiled a striking new timepiece: the Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle. This special edition watch serves as a bold tribute to the city's iconic skyline, its relentless energy, and the very material that forms its structural backbone. Concrete, often perceived as a utilitarian element of Brutalist architecture and large-scale infrastructure, has found a new appreciation in the realm of high design. Its inherent texture, subtle tonalities, and surprising versatility have made it a favored medium for artists, architects, and designers seeking to imbue their creations with a sense of raw yet refined character. Hublot, in its characteristic fashion, has embraced this material, transforming it into a sophisticated expression of haute horlogerie.
The Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle is more than an homage; it is a physical embodiment of the city's spirit, fusing the unyielding nature of concrete with the meticulous precision of Swiss watchmaking. Julien Tornare, CEO of Hublot, highlighted this synthesis, stating, “Concrete has long been misunderstood as cold and industrial, but in the world of high design, it has become something else entirely - tactile, refined, even expressive. With the Big Bang MECA-10 Concrete Jungle, this timepiece captures the raw energy of New York and the meticulous precision of Swiss watchmaking. This timepiece is dedicated to our new New York Boutique and is crafted from the same material as our new Fifth Avenue boutique’s façade.” This statement underscores the deep connection between the watch, the material, and the brand's strengthened presence in New York City.
The watch presents a commanding presence on the wrist with its 44mm case, meticulously crafted entirely from matte concrete. This unconventional choice of material is rendered with Hublot's renowned sophistication, resulting in a finish that is both visually striking and surprisingly refined to the touch. The case's robust form is accentuated by six H-shaped screws in polished and micro-blasted titanium, which punctuate the bezel, also fashioned from matte concrete. These screws are a signature Hublot design element, instantly recognizable and contributing to the watch's industrial-chic aesthetic. The visual effect is one of strength and modernity, a direct reflection of the urban environment it celebrates.
Courtesy of Hublot
The case construction thoughtfully balances this bold material choice with functional design. The caseback is crafted from micro-blasted titanium, ensuring comfort against the skin and providing a contrasting textural element to the concrete. The crown, a critical interface for the wearer, is made from satin-finished titanium and over-molded with black rubber, offering enhanced grip and a tactile pleasure in its operation. Despite its substantial appearance and the inherent density of concrete, the watch maintains a wearable profile, with a thickness of 15.3mm. It also offers a practical water resistance of 50 meters, or 5 atmospheres, making it suitable for daily wear in the urban jungle it’s named after, capable of weathering the occasional downpour or splash.
At the heart of the Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle beats the impressive in-house HUB1201 caliber. This is not merely a movement; it is a mechanical sculpture, entirely conceived and developed by Hublot's engineers and watchmakers. The HUB1201 is a manual-winding skeletonized movement renowned for its extraordinary 10-day power reserve, a feat of engineering that ensures the watch keeps ticking for well over a week on a single full wind. This extended autonomy is a significant convenience, reducing the frequency of winding and allowing the owner to fully appreciate the intricate mechanics without constant intervention.
The architecture of the HUB1201 is a spectacle in itself, deliberately exposed through the watch's skeletonized dial and sapphire crystal caseback. Comprising 223 meticulously crafted components, including straight and curved perforated metallic strips, crown gears, racks, plates, axes, and ratchet wheels, the movement offers a captivating three-dimensional view. To achieve this unique visual depth and display the remarkable power reserve in an innovative manner, Hublot developed a distinctive construction where the traditional mainplate has been replaced by long bridges. These bridges are fixed on either side of a ring that serves as the movement's base, creating an open and airy structure that invites close inspection. This approach allows the intricate interplay of gears and levers to be fully appreciated from both the dial side and through the caseback.
Courtesy of Hublot
The movement operates at a steady frequency of 3 Hz, which translates to 21,600 vibrations per hour. It features twin barrels, which work in parallel to provide the impressive 10-day power reserve. A particularly distinctive feature is the rack-and-pinion power reserve indicator, prominently displayed on the dial. This intuitive display clearly shows the remaining energy, with a red-marked section to alert the wearer when winding is needed. The raw precision and exposed nature of the movement’s architecture echo the Brutalist spirit that inspired the watch, creating a harmonious dialogue between the external case material and the internal mechanics. The grey skeleton dial allows an unobstructed view into this mechanical marvel, with carefully placed indices and hands ensuring legibility amidst the complexity.
The Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle marks the third installment in Hublot's Concrete Jungle series, following the success of the 2016 Big Bang and the 2020 Classic Fusion editions. This continuity demonstrates Hublot's ongoing fascination with New York City and its unique urban fabric. The launch of this timepiece also carries special significance as it commemorates the relocation of Hublot’s flagship boutique to a new, prestigious home on Fifth Avenue. This move represents a bold new chapter for the brand in one of the world's most iconic luxury retail destinations, reinforcing its commitment to the American market and its discerning clientele.
The design of the new Fifth Avenue boutique itself mirrors the industrial-luxury aesthetic of the watch. The façade is clad in concrete and black brushed aluminum, creating a seamless visual connection between the retail environment and the product it showcases. This thoughtful synergy extends the narrative of the watch beyond the wrist, immersing the client in the world of Hublot and its "Art of Fusion" from the moment they approach the boutique. The boutique becomes more than just a point of sale; it is an experience, a physical manifestation of the brand's ethos.
Courtesy of Hublot
Understanding that versatility is key for the modern watch enthusiast, the Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle comes equipped with two interchangeable straps. The first is a grey fabric strap featuring a Velcro fastener, offering a comfortable and casual option that complements the concrete case. The second is Hublot’s signature black lined rubber strap, known for its durability and sporty appeal. The straps can be easily swapped using Hublot’s patented “One Click” system, a user-friendly mechanism that allows for quick and secure strap changes without the need for tools. This feature enables the wearer to adapt the watch’s look to suit different occasions or personal styles effortlessly.
The clasp system further enhances the watch's functionality and aesthetic. The grey fabric strap is secured with a micro-blasted black ceramic sport buckle, while the black rubber strap features a black plated titanium deployant buckle. Both options ensure a secure and comfortable fit on the wrist, maintaining the timepiece's robust and sophisticated character down to the smallest detail.
The presentation of the Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle is as unique as the watch itself. This special box features a stylized rendering of the New York City skyline, exclusive to this edition, further emphasizing its connection to the metropolis and making the unboxing experience a memorable part of acquiring this limited piece. This attention to detail in the presentation underscores the exclusivity and collectible nature of the watch.
Courtesy of Hublot
As the Big Bang celebrates its 20th anniversary, it stands as a symbol of a Manufacture that constantly pushes the boundaries of innovation. It has never fully embraced tradition, preferring instead to challenge it and forge its own path. The Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle is a powerful continuation of this legacy, a timepiece that is singular in its bold aesthetic and plural in its versatility. It is a watch that is unapologetically Hublot, capturing the raw energy of an urban environment while showcasing the pinnacle of Swiss watchmaking artistry.
The Big Bang Meca-10 Concrete Jungle is priced at USD 34,100. This special edition timepiece is available now, offering watch connoisseurs and admirers of innovative design an opportunity to own a piece of Hublot's tribute to New York City. It can be acquired exclusively at the new Hublot Fifth Avenue flagship boutique in New York and through Hublot's official website, Hublot.com. Given its unique materials, intricate movement, and special edition status, the Concrete Jungle is poised to be a sought-after piece for collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate Hublot's distinctive blend of urban-inspired design and high-performance mechanics.
Case: Matt Concrete material, 44 mm diameter, 15.3 mm thickness. Bezel is Matt Concrete. Water resistance is 50m or 5 ATM. Crystal is sapphire with anti-reflective treatment. Caseback is microblasted titanium.
Movement: HUB1201 Manufacture manual-winding skeleton power reserve movement. Power reserve is a minimum of 240 hours. Frequency is 3 Hz (21,600 A/H). Contains 223 components and 24 jewels.
Dial: Grey Skeleton.
Strap: First strap is grey fabric with Velcro fastener; additional strap is black lined rubber. Clasp includes a black plated titanium deployant buckle and a microblasted black ceramic sport buckle. Features Hublot's "One Click" system for easy strap changes.
Price: USD 34,100
Reference Number: 424.XC.5510.NR.NYC25
Notes: This is a special edition timepiece paying tribute to New York City and commemorating Hublot's new Fifth Avenue boutique. The watch case is uniquely crafted from matte concrete. It boasts an impressive 10-day power reserve and comes in a special Hublot Green presentation box featuring a stylized New York City skyline.