Hublot has frequently demonstrated its mastery over materials and color, particularly with its signature Big Bang collection. The brand's latest release, the Big Bang UNICO Blue Ceramic Caribbean, is a striking exercise in thematic design, capturing a specific nautical and tropical energy through a bold application of high-tech ceramic. This is not a subtle watch; it is an expressive piece that leverages a complex case material and an in-house, skeletonized movement to create a watch clearly inspired by the blues of the Caribbean sea and sky.
The brand's identity is famously built on the "Art of Fusion," a philosophy established at its founding in 1980. At a time when the Swiss watch industry was bound by rigid tradition, Hublot committed a near-heretical act by pairing a precious 18k gold case with a simple, unadorned black rubber strap. This fusion of disparate materials—the luxurious and the utilitarian—was a disruptive move that set the course for the brand's entire future. It was a statement that a watch's value could be derived from its design and material innovation, not just from traditional precious metals.
Courtesy of Hublot
This guiding principle reached its most potent expression in 2005 with the launch of the original Big Bang. This watch was a literal and figurative explosion in the industry, introducing a "sandwich" or layered case construction that allowed for an endless combination of materials. The iconic "porthole" bezel, secured by six H-shaped screws, became an immediate hallmark. The Big Bang was large, aggressive, and mechanically complex, and its success was immediate, earning the Best Design prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève that same year. It is from this celebrated lineage that the new Caribbean-themed model is born.
The most defining feature of this timepiece, as its name suggests, is the case material. Hublot has become a leader in the development and use of vibrantly colored, high-tech ceramics. The 44mm case of the Big Bang UNICO Blue Ceramic Caribbean is crafted from a "Microblasted Sky Blue Ceramic." This is not a coating or a paint; the color is inherent to the material itself, meaning it will not fade, chip, or scratch away over time. The "microblasted" finish gives the light blue ceramic a uniform, non-reflective matte texture that is soft to the touch and resistant to fingerprints.
The process of creating this case is a feat of material science. It begins with a base of zirconium powder, which is sintered—or compacted and formed—at extremely high temperatures. This process hardens the material until it is ultra-tough and almost completely impervious to scratches, with only diamond rating higher on the hardness scale. This advanced ceramic is significantly lighter than steel yet far more durable in terms of wear, making it an ideal material for an active-lifestyle watch.
Visually, the light blue microblasted case provides a soft, chalky foundation that is dramatically contrasted by the bezel. The bezel is made from a "Microblasted and Polished Blue Ceramic" in a much deeper, richer shade of navy. While the top surface of the bezel is microblasted to match the case texture, its faceted edges are brightly polished. This subtle interplay of brushed and polished ceramic surfaces, along with the two-tone blue color scheme, creates a sense of visual depth and sophistication. The six polished, H-shaped titanium screws locking down the bezel provide a sharp, metallic contrast to the smooth ceramic.
Courtesy of Hublot
The dial is a "Mat Blue Skeleton Dial," continuing the color theme while exposing the watch's mechanical soul. The "dial" itself is essentially the mainplate and bridges of the movement, which have been treated in a matte blue finish to match the bezel. This open-worked architecture allows the wearer to look directly into the intricate workings of the caliber, observing the gears, levers, and springs that power the watch. Large, applied Arabic numerals and bold, faceted hands, filled with white luminous material, float above the mechanical chaos, ensuring the time remains legible despite the complex background.
A unique, thematic detail is found within the 9 o'clock sub-dial, which serves as the chronograph's 45-minute counter. In place of a traditional hand or disc, Hublot has integrated a "stylized conch shell." This light-blue element, a celebrated cultural symbol of the islands, rotates as the chronograph runs. It's a specific and playful nod to the watch's Caribbean inspiration, a detail that clearly separates this edition from a standard production model. The 3 o'clock sub-dial displays the running seconds, and a date window is discreetly integrated into the 45-minute counter.
Protecting this intricate display is a flat sapphire crystal, which has been given an anti-reflective treatment on both sides. This is a critical feature for a skeleton-dialed watch, as it eliminates glare and allows the wearer to appreciate the mechanical depth without distracting reflections. The 44mm case is water-resistant to 100 meters, or 10 atmospheres, ensuring it is more than capable of handling swimming and other water-related activities one would expect on a Caribbean vacation.
Turning the watch over reveals a sapphire display caseback, which offers an unobstructed view of the movement's reverse side. The automatic winding rotor, also skeletonized, features the Hublot logo and spins freely with the wearer's motion. As a final tribute to the watch's theme, the sapphire crystal of the caseback has been etched with a delicate map of the Caribbean archipelago. It's another special, edition-specific touch that reinforces the watch's identity.
Courtesy of Hublot
At the heart of this watch beats the HUB1280 UNICO Manufacture movement. This is not a third-party caliber but an engine designed, developed, and assembled entirely in-house by Hublot. It is a self-winding, or automatic, flyback chronograph movement that represents a significant evolution of the brand's original UNICO caliber. This second-generation movement was re-engineered to be thinner, allowing for a more streamlined case profile while maintaining its robust performance.
The HUB1280 is a technical powerhouse, composed of 354 individual components. It operates at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and provides a substantial power reserve of approximately 72 hours, meaning the watch can be set down for a full three days and will still be running. The architecture of the movement is a key part of the watch's aesthetic, which is why Hublot designed it to be "open-heart."
One of the UNICO's most celebrated features is the placement of its column wheel. In most chronographs, the column wheel—the component that acts as the "brain" for the start, stop, and reset functions—is hidden on the back of the movement. Hublot re-engineered the UNICO to have its column wheel visible from the dial side, positioned proudly at 6 o'clock. This, along with the visible double-clutch system, allows the owner to watch the complex levers engage and disengage every time they operate the chronograph pushers.
The movement is also a flyback chronograph. In a standard chronograph, you must press the pushers three times to time a new event: once to stop, once to reset, and once to restart. A flyback function allows the user to simply press the bottom reset pusher while the chronograph is running. The timer hand "flies back" to zero and instantly begins timing a new event, all with a single push. This function, originally developed for pilots, reflects the movement's sophisticated engineering.
Courtesy of Hublot
To ensure its reliability and robustness, the UNICO movement's construction was simplified as much as possible, despite its high component count. Hublot also integrated several patented innovations, including a silicon escapement (which is anti-magnetic and requires less lubrication) and an advanced dual-clutch system, to improve the reliability and smooth operation of the chronograph.
A Hublot Big Bang would not be complete without a rubber strap, a nod to the brand's 1980 origins. The Big Bang UNICO Blue Ceramic Caribbean comes with two distinct straps to match its versatile personality. The first strap is a "Blue and White Rubber" option, featuring a deep navy blue main strap with a clean white lining. The second, additional strap is a "Sky Blue and White Rubber" option, which perfectly matches the light blue of the ceramic case, also with a white lining.
Both straps are made from Hublot's high-quality, resilient rubber, which is known for its comfort and durability. The straps are deeply grooved, adding a textural element that complements the architectural case. This two-strap package allows the owner to choose between a high-contrast, deep-blue look or a more integrated, monochromatic light-blue appearance.
The strap is secured to the wrist with a "Titanium Deployant Buckle Clasp." The use of titanium for the clasp is a deliberate choice. Like the ceramic case, titanium is both lightweight and extremely strong, ensuring the clasp is secure and comfortable without adding unnecessary weight to the watch.
Courtesy of Hublot
The entire presentation is completed by a special-edition box. Instead of a standard case, the watch is delivered in a "sky-blue lacquered box" that is decorated with a rendering of the Caribbean islands, mirroring the design etched onto the watch's caseback. This makes the unboxing experience a continuation of the watch's thematic journey.
With a retail price of $27,300 USD, this model is positioned as a premium, special-edition offering. Its availability is as specific as its theme; the watch is available exclusively at authorized Hublot dealers located throughout the Caribbean, on select cruise ships, and through the brand's own website, making it a true destination piece.
Case: 44 mm size. Microblasted Sky Blue Ceramic case. Bezel is Microblasted and Polished Blue Ceramic. Water resistance is 100m or 10 ATM. Crystal is sapphire with anti-reflective treatment.
Movement: HUB1280 UNICO Manufacture Self-winding Chronograph Flyback Movement with Column Wheel. Power reserve is approximately 72 hours. Contains 354 components.
Dial: Mat Blue Skeleton Dial.
Strap: Blue and White Rubber strap. Includes an additional Sky Blue and White Rubber strap. Clasp is a Titanium Deployant Buckle Clasp.
Price: USD 27,300
Reference Number: 421.EX.5129.RX.HBC25
Notes: Inspired by the Caribbean, the dial features a stylized conch shell on the 9 o'clock chronograph counter. The sapphire caseback is etched with a map of the Caribbean archipelago.