When winter arrives, the atmosphere changes, shifting from the vibrant heat of summer to a crisp, sharp clarity that redefines the landscape. Hublot has decided to capture this distinct atmospheric shift, moving beyond their established summer editions to stake a claim on the colder months. With the release of the Big Bang Unico Winter Sapphire and the Big Bang Unico Winter Titanium Ceramic, the brand is translating the visual and tactile experience of ice and snow into horological form. These are not merely white watches slap-dashed for the holidays; they are technical exercises in materials science, utilizing the brand’s mastery of sapphire and ceramic to mimic the frozen environments of Zermatt or Aspen. The release continues the brand's long-standing philosophy of the "Art of Fusion," where traditional watchmaking mechanics collide with industrial, avant-garde casing materials to create something that feels entirely modern.
The aesthetic presentation of these timepieces is immediately striking, dominated by a color palette that avoids the predictable navy blues of the watch industry in favor of something more piercing. The use of a "glacier blue" combined with stark whites and metallic grays creates a visual temperature that feels physically cool to the eye. This is a specific design choice intended to evoke the reflection of sunlight off fresh powder or the translucent blue hue found deep within a crevasse. It is an aggressive, sporty look that fits squarely within the Big Bang DNA, a collection that has never been known for subtlety but has always commanded attention through complex geometry and architectural depth. The watches measure 42mm in diameter, a versatile size that allows the intricate case construction to be appreciated without becoming unwieldy on the wrist, balancing substantial presence with wearable ergonomics.
Courtesy of Hublot
Looking closely at the Big Bang Unico Winter Sapphire, limited to just 30 pieces, one is confronted with a level of transparency that borders on the surreal. The case is crafted entirely from polished sapphire crystal, a material notoriously difficult to machine due to its extreme hardness and brittle nature during the cutting process. The result, however, is a housing that allows light to pass through the watch from every angle, illuminating the mechanical heart within. The sapphire allows for a complete view of the movement from the sides, the top, and the bottom, effectively suspending the engine in a block of ice. The light plays off the faceted edges of the lugs and the bezel, creating distortions and reflections that give the watch a dynamic, shifting appearance depending on the ambient lighting. It is a technical marvel that transforms the watch from a static object into a prism, interacting with its environment in a way that traditional metal cases simply cannot.
The second variation, the Big Bang Unico Winter Titanium Ceramic, takes a different but equally technical approach to the winter theme. Here, the case utilizes microblasted titanium, a material chosen for its immense strength-to-weight ratio and its dull, grey industrial sheen. This matte finish absorbs light rather than reflecting it, providing a stark contrast to the polished elements of the dial. This titanium frame is capped with a microblasted white ceramic bezel. The ceramic offers a texture that is smooth yet visually chalky, reminiscent of compacted snow. The pairing of grey titanium and white ceramic creates a bi-color aesthetic that feels technical and rugged, suggesting equipment designed for high-altitude exploration. The iconic H-shaped screws, a signature of the Hublot design language, punctuate the bezel in contrasting titanium, reinforcing the industrial "porthole" inspiration that gave the brand its name in 1980.
The dial on both models is an exercise in depth and layering, eschewing a traditional solid face for a skeletonized approach that reveals the inner workings of the chronograph. The rhodium-plated matte finish of the dial components provides a neutral backdrop that allows the ice-blue accents to pop. The hour markers are applied blocks of luminescence, floating above the exposed gear train, while the hands are broad and partially skeletonized to ensure that they do not obstruct the view of the mechanics below. The sub-dials—a running seconds counter and a chronograph minute counter—are ringed in that signature glacier blue, creating focal points that guide the eye across the complex landscape of the dial. It is a busy, information-dense display, yet the high contrast between the rhodium, white, and blue elements ensures that legibility remains high, a critical factor for a sports chronograph.
Courtesy of Hublot
Turning the watch over reveals a detail that specifically anchors this release to the season: a custom oscillating weight shaped like a snowflake. Visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, this rotor is a departure from the standard Hublot tungsten weight. The geometric, crystalline structure of the snowflake is rendered in a skeletonized metal, spinning freely to wind the mainspring. It is a literal representation of the theme, a "wink" to the collector that distinguishes this limited edition from the standard production models. Surrounding this thematic rotor is the caseback ring, which bears the engraving of the limitation number, certifying the rarity of the specific piece. The view from the back also offers a look at the baseplate and bridges of the movement, which feature an industrial finish that complements the overall technical vibe of the watch.
Powering these winter machines is the HUB1280 Unico movement, a manufacture caliber entirely designed and developed within the walls of the Hublot factory. This is a flyback chronograph, a significant complication that allows the user to reset and restart the timing function with a single push of the button at 4 o'clock, bypassing the traditional stop-reset-start sequence. This feature was originally developed for pilots who needed to time consecutive events rapidly, but in this context, it serves as a demonstration of mechanical prowess. The movement operates at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), ensuring a smooth sweep of the seconds hand and precise timekeeping. It offers a generous power reserve of 72 hours, meaning the watch can be taken off on Friday and picked up on Monday morning still running, a practical feature for those who rotate their collections.
The architecture of the Unico movement is notable for placing the column wheel mechanism on the dial side of the watch. In most chronographs, this critical component—which coordinates the starting, stopping, and resetting of the mechanism—is hidden at the back. By moving it to the front, Hublot allows the wearer to observe the mechanical interaction every time the chronograph pushers are activated. Watching the column wheel rotate and the levers engage adds a layer of kinetic engagement to the ownership experience. The movement comprises 354 individual components, essentially a city of gears and springs packed into a 42mm diameter. It is protected by five patents, covering innovations such as a dual oscillating horizontal clutch and a system to eliminate hand flutter, showcasing Hublot's commitment to advancing traditional horology through modern engineering.
The strap integration utilizes Hublot’s proprietary "One Click" system, a feature that has become indispensable for the modern versatility of the Big Bang line. Between the lugs, a trapezoidal button allows the wearer to release the strap instantly with a simple press, enabling tool-free swapping. This is particularly relevant for the Winter editions, as the watches come with two strap options to suit different environments. The primary option is a white rubber strap with blue calfskin inlays, offering the luxurious look of leather with the durability and sweat resistance of a rubber base. The second is a white rubber strap with white calfskin, offering a monochromatic "white-out" look. The ability to switch between these looks instantly changes the character of the watch, moving from a sporty, high-contrast look to a cleaner, more uniform aesthetic suitable for après-ski settings.
Courtesy of Hublot
The tactile experience of the Big Bang is always a major component of its appeal, and the Winter editions are no exception. On the side of the case, the chronograph pushers are prominent, piston-like cylinders that offer a satisfying mechanical resistance when pressed. They are designed to be easily operated even while wearing gloves, a functional nod to the winter sports inspiration. The crown is large, rubber-molded, and screw-down, ensuring a water resistance of 50 meters (5 ATM). While this depth rating does not classify it as a professional dive watch, it is more than sufficient for exposure to snow, splashing, and general surface water activities. The crown guards are integrated into the case structure, protecting the winding stem from impacts, which is a necessary feature for a watch designed to be worn during active pursuits like skiing or snowboarding.
The use of sapphire in the flagship model of this duo is worth further examination regarding its physical properties. Synthetic sapphire is essentially crystallized aluminum oxide, produced at incredibly high temperatures. It boasts a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, surpassed only by diamond. This means that the case is virtually scratch-proof, capable of maintaining its pristine, glass-like transparency indefinitely, barring a catastrophic impact. This resilience is key for a luxury object intended to be worn, as it alleviates the anxiety of "desk diving" marks or hairline scratches that plague softer precious metals like gold or platinum. However, this hardness creates immense challenges in fabrication; the machining of a complex Big Bang case from a block of sapphire requires diamond-tipped tools and takes infinitely longer than machining steel, contributing significantly to the cost and exclusivity of the piece.
Hublot’s history is defined by this kind of material audacity. Founded in 1980, the brand shocked the conservative Swiss industry by pairing a gold case with a rubber strap—a combination that was practically heresy at the time. That initial act of rebellion established the "Art of Fusion" as the brand's guiding ethos. The launch of the Big Bang in 2005 under the guidance of Jean-Claude Biver took this concept to the stratosphere, introducing a sandwich-style case construction that allowed for the mixing of disparate materials like Kevlar, carbon fiber, magnesium, and tungsten. The Winter editions are the direct descendants of that lineage, continuing to push the boundaries of what a luxury watch case can be made of. They represent a refusal to adhere to the traditional codes of watchmaking materials, favoring high-tech industrial ceramics and synthesized crystals over the standard steel and brass of the past.
Courtesy of Hublot
The visual impact of the skeletonized dial is enhanced by the careful finishing of the exposed components. The bridges are sandblasted and rhodium-plated, creating a matte grey finish that absorbs light and prevents glare. This industrial finishing contrasts with the polished surfaces of the hands and indices, creating the necessary separation for readability. The stencil-style numerals, another Big Bang signature, are applied to the sapphire crystal dial rather than the movement itself, giving them a floating quality. This adds verticality to the watch face; it is not a flat image but a three-dimensional diorama of mechanics. When viewed at an angle, the shadows cast by the numerals onto the movement below add to the sense of depth and complexity.
The comfort of the Big Bang Unico Winter models is aided by the ergonomic curvature of the case and the integration of the strap. Despite the angular appearance, the case is designed to hug the wrist, and the rubber backing of the straps ensures the watch stays planted without sliding. The deployant buckle, made of titanium, is lightweight and secure, balancing the weight of the watch head. In the case of the Titanium Ceramic model, the watch is exceptionally light due to the low density of titanium and ceramic. The Sapphire model has a slightly different heft; while sapphire is lighter than steel, it is denser than titanium, giving the transparent model a substantial, glass-like feeling on the wrist that is unique to the material.
The choice of blue for the accents is specific and deliberate. It is not the navy of a maritime watch, nor the bright cyan of a summer diver. It is a desaturated, pale blue that mimics the optical effect of light passing through dense ice. This color is used sparingly—on the minute track, the sub-dial rings, the chronograph hand tip, and the strap stitching—to avoid overwhelming the design. It serves as a highlight rather than a base color, keeping the overall impression of the watch clean, white, and sharp. This restraint in color application demonstrates a maturity in design, understanding that for a "Winter" theme to work, it must rely on texture and tone rather than overt coloration.
The chronograph function itself is displayed with clarity. The 60-minute counter at the 3 o'clock position incorporates the date window, a clever integration that keeps the dial symmetrical. The open date wheel is visible as it rotates beneath the dial surface, with the current date framed in the aperture within the sub-dial. This skeletonized date wheel is a subtle technical detail that fits the overall open-worked aesthetic. The running seconds sub-dial at 9 o'clock is simpler, balancing the visual weight of the chronograph counter. The central chronograph seconds hand features the Hublot "H" counterweight, a small branding detail that pivots around the center axis as the timer runs.
Courtesy of Hublot
The rarity of these pieces adds to their allure. With only 30 examples of the Sapphire edition and 200 of the Titanium Ceramic, these are not mass-market products. They are intended for collectors who likely already own staple pieces and are looking for something seasonally specific and technically expressive. The limited production run also speaks to the difficulty of manufacturing, particularly for the sapphire model, where yield rates for the cases are low due to the risk of cracking during the machining process. Owning one is an acknowledgment of this industrial difficulty.
For those looking to acquire these frozen timekeepers, the barrier to entry reflects the technology involved. The Big Bang Unico Winter Titanium Ceramic is priced at USD 26,300 and is limited to a production of 200 pieces. The highly exclusive Big Bang Unico Winter Sapphire, with its full sapphire crystal case construction, commands a significantly higher price of USD 80,500 and is strictly limited to just 30 pieces worldwide. Both models are available at select Hublot boutiques and authorized retailers, assuming stock remains after the initial allocation to the brand's top clients.
Case: 42mm diameter; 50m (5 ATM) water resistance; Microblasted Titanium case with Microblasted White Ceramic bezel (Titanium Ceramic edition) or Polished Sapphire Crystal case and bezel (Sapphire edition); sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment.
Movement: HUB1280 UNICO Manufacture Self-winding Chronograph Flyback movement with Column Wheel; approx. 72 hours power reserve; 354 components; features double clutch mechanism and custom snowflake-shaped oscillating weight.
Dial: Rhodium-plated skeleton dial; matte finish with ice-blue luminescent accents and sub-dial rings.
Strap: White Rubber and Blue Calfskin strap; additional White Rubber and White Calfskin strap included; Titanium Deployant Buckle Clasp; Hublot One Click interchangeability system.
Price: USD 26,300 (Titanium Ceramic); USD 80,500 (Sapphire)
Reference Number: 441.NH.429B.VR (Titanium Ceramic); 441.JX.429B.VR (Sapphire)
Notes: Titanium Ceramic limited to 200 pieces worldwide; Sapphire limited to 30 pieces worldwide; specific winter-themed release featuring a unique snowflake rotor visible through the caseback.