The Hublot Big Bang Unico Sorai Limited Edition

A couple of weeks ago, as part of the LVMH Watch Week 2023, Hublot presented an array of new models, including a modernized take on the emblematic 1980 luxury sports watch called the Hublot, with the new Hublot Classic Fusion Original. There was another model that stroke my attention… A watch that, at first, I shouldn’t really liked. Big and bold, colourful and highly present, the new Hublot Big Bang Unico Sorai Limited Edition has something quite cool. Something that I can hardly explain, which might have to do with the contrast between its sleek, monochromatic case and the use of sunset-like colours on its dial. And the fact that it helps a good cause doesn’t hurt either.

This Big Bang Unico is made to save rhinos. It helps Sorai buy time for endangered rhinos, allowing them to live longer, and not to be the prey of their only predator, humans. Sorai is not a charity. It is a socially conscious enterprise that brings people and businesses together to build a more sustainable approach to conservation. Since 2018, Sorai has supported projects to protect endangered animals, identify new technologies to combat poaching (thermal cameras, GPS tracking of animals) and raise awareness of the need to protect these endangered species. There are many ways to combat poaching (raising public awareness, education, law enforcement, transmitters for tracking animals, increasing ranger numbers and creating sanctuaries for injured or orphaned animals). However, prevention and active rangers on the ground remain the most effective tools, according to Sorai.

In order to help protection of rhinos, Hublot and Sorai are partnering again. As with the two previous limited editions, “proceeds from the sale of the Big Bang Unico Sorai will go directly to projects supported by Sorai to equip helicopters with cameras, raise awareness in schools about the consequences of poaching and provide backup to rangers on the ground. These strategies are implemented where the need is biggest and most pressing, South Africa, home to more than 80% of the world’s total population of rhinos, with the majority of poaching taking place in Kruger National Park, as it has the largest population of wild white rhinos left on earth.”

The Hublot Big Bang Unico Sorai Limited Edition is made for this reason. In addition to being a watch with a sustainable approach, it is also a watch that makes an impression. Well, many different impressions actually. It isn’t a classic, discreet watch. It is typical Hublot. Polarizing, colourful, and full of contrasts in the textures and materials. It won’t create unanimity, but then again, this has never been the objective of the brand.

Besides being a limited edition with special colours and unique materials, this watch is based on the Big Bang concept. Launched in 2005, the Big Bang brought the initial concept of Fusion to the next level, strengthening the identity of the initial watch of 1980. In a way, it did to the Hublot watch what the Offshore did to the RO. Bolder, larger, and more architectural, it utilizes all the classic elements of the Fusion and brings it to a new dimension. Contrasts are enhanced, materials are light and high-tech, and movements are opened and complex. Besides the initial visual strike, there are some watchmaking skills behind the Hublot Big Bang.

This new Big Bang Unico Sorai draws on classic elements of the model, with a 44mm case with lightweight and robust materials, in contrasting colours for a strong visual impact. The present model, despite its 14.50mm height and sizeable diameter, wears surprisingly well. Lugs are short and curved, and materials are light. It combines mid-grey ceramic, with micro-blasted and polished finishes, with matte black ceramic hardware for the lateral protection, mid-case and crown/pusher module. The colour found on this watch isn’t only specific to this model, it’s also a reference to the theme… As it is dubbed rhino-grey…

The dial of this Hublot Big Bang Unico Sorai does come with its dosage of unique features too. The classic openworked dial of the collection is here using the same rhino-grey as a background for highly contrasting and colourful accents. It features “the glowing colours of sunset when the sky catches fire.” The markers on the inner flange and the applied 3D numerals, as well as the 60-minute counter of the chronograph, all rely on a gradient sunset/rainbow effect, in yellow, orange, purple and pink. A rhino sits in the small seconds and the date in a window at 3 o’clock, its skeleton disc highlighted by a black background. And, as usual, most of the parts of the movement can be seen ticking underneath.

I know it’s quite personal, but I find this contrast between the case and the dial rather appealing. The rhino-grey case has something special, with its solid, matte grey colour bringing a completely different aspect than metal. There is no shine, no reflections. The colour is almost like solid paint. And then the markers, with their gradient of colours, just pop even more. The idea of contrast has always been a big thing for the Big Bang and, in this respect, the Sorai Limited Edition doesn’t disappoint.

Another element we need to talk about is the movement, also known as the Unico calibre. Hublot is often slightly overlooked in this field, however, Unico is a movement that deserves some respect. An in-house movement developed with the idea of having all the technicality dial side, it fits the overall concept of the Big Bang perfectly. We’re talking about an integrated, automatic, flyback chronograph with solid power reserve (3 days) and a column-wheel architecture – the latter being in full sight at 6 o’clock on the dial side. The back of the movement is slightly simpler of course, yet the contrast between the matte black bridges and the shiny silver moving elements makes it pretty cool to look at. In the context of this Sorai Limited Edition, it features a sunset-effect on the rotor and a Sorai logo transferred on the crystal.

Last but not least, this Hublot Big Bang Unico comes equipped with the brand’s “One-Click” interchangeability system and two straps. The first is a black rubber strap with black, orange and purple camouflage decor and a ceramic and black-plated titanium deployant buckle clasp. The second, which makes the watch less polarizing, is a grey fabric strap with a micro-blasted black ceramic buckle and velcro loop.

The Hublot Big Bang Unico Sorai Limited Edition will be produced in 100 pieces and priced at EUR 25,200, CHF 22,900 or USD 24,100. All the proceed will go to Sorai. For more details, please visit hublot.com.