The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon x SORAI

When the Big Bang exploded on the watch scene in 2005, it was the paragon of an oversized, high-octane, octagonal sports watch flaunting an unusual fusion of materials. A decade later, the Spirit of Big Bang joined the lineup of Hublot. Embracing a similar concept, the Spirit proposed a more complex case with a tonneau-shaped, cambered profile, lateral rubber bumpers, and openworked dials. One sub-collection in the Spirit of Big Bang family is dedicated to partnerships, with models like the Sang Bleu made in collaboration with tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Büchi. The latest partnership sees Hublot and SORAI – the rhino conservation organisation – united to raise awareness and funds to fight the threats facing rhinos today. Marking the fourth Hublot x SORAI watch, but the first Spirit of Big Bang, this edition comes in a grey ceramic case with a tourbillon regulator and is limited to 30 pieces.

SORAI, which stands for Save our Rhinos Africa and India, was founded by former England cricket captain and Hublot ambassador Kevin Pietersen. According to the WWF, rhino populations have decreased from 500,000 at the beginning of the 20^th century to 27,000. Thanks to conservation programmes to protect rhinos from poachers and habitat loss, the population of Indian rhinos has grown to around 4,000, and black rhinos have doubled in number over the past two decades.

To capture the distinctive colour of a rhino’s hide, the 42mm case with a thickness of 13.25mm is cast in microblasted warm grey ceramic with polished finishes. The choice of high-tech ceramic, which is ultra-tough, lightweight and almost entirely scratch-proof, works well in this rugged context of conservation and the great outdoors.

The black rubber bumpers on either side of the case and the 6 H-shaped screws in the bezel are classic features of the Spirit of Big Bang, and the large, black DLC-coated titanium crown is microblasted and fitted with a rubber grip. Despite its size, the case has a pronounced camber following the natural contours of the wrist. Unlike the earlier Big Bang SORAI editions with 100m water-resistance, this model with its tourbillon regulator has a decreased water-resistance rating of 30m.

Hublot’s movements are designed to follow the same lines as the case, and the manual-winding calibre HUB6020 is revealed in full. Secured by blackened suspension bridges, the openworked dial has three overlapping rings: the largest off-centred microblasted grey ring on the right is for the hours and minutes and is highlighted with luminescent markers and hands; the ring at 6 o’clock is the tourbillon; and the smaller grey ring at 9 o’clock is the five-day power reserve indicator with white and red numerals. Despite the exposure of all the mechanical components, the dial is relatively balanced and legible. If you didn’t spot it at first glance, SORAI’s rhino logo is perched at 3 o’clock.

The sapphire caseback reveals another series of blackened openworked bridges punctuated with bright rubies, revealing the fascinating mechanical scenery of the movement. Beating at 21,600vph, the 4mm thick movement has a beefy 115-hour power reserve.

Two interchangeable straps, a grey fabric Velcro strap with a black ceramic and titanium deployant clasp and a black rubber strap with a safari camouflage pattern, are included in the package.

Availability & Price

The Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve SORAI is limited to 30 pieces and retails for CHF 100,000 / EUR 115,000 / USD 110,000 / GBP 95,000.

For more information, please consult hublot.com.