Last year on the occasion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, Hublot released the Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chronograph in black ceramic and carbon fiber as presented by us here. A year later, Hublot presents the new Hublot Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono King Gold Ceramic ref. 413.OM.1128.RX —this replica watch is also available in Titanium and Ceramic under ref. 413.NM.1127.RX. This Bi-Retrograde chronograph is not your average flyback chronograph as it is fitted with a different type of display. It’s a replica watch specially designed for the world of soccer —fútbol. The Hublot Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono King Gold Ceramic is a first for Hublot, who has never before produced a bi-retrograde function until the release of its predecessor in 2014. The Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono King Gold Ceramic features a 45 mm 18K King Gold satin brushed finished case with a strikingly beautiful black ceramic bezel, black composite resin lower bezel with 6 H-shaped black PVD titanium screws and a black dial featuring gold accents, a bi-retrograde chrono display at 12 o’clock, subsidiary time display dial at 6 o’clock and running seconds at 9 o’clock. The hour and minute hands for the subsidiary display as well as the running seconds hand are all satin-finished and microblasted gold-plated with white luminescent inlays.
While for those replica watchlifestylers that follow soccer the bi-retrograde display is fairly easy to understand, those that are not in sync with soccer will have a hard time understanding the functionality of this replica watch and why it was designed the way it was. Therefore, let’s explain how this replica watch works. When the chronograph is started, the chrono’s seconds hand and minute hand move from left to right in a circular arc of 45 minutes —one half of a soccer match—, with an area for 15 minutes —added complementary time— to measure up to 60 minutes. To avoid any potential confusion, both chronograph hands are properly labeled ‘minutes’ and ‘seconds’ and while the ‘minutes’ hand is red, the ‘seconds’ hand is white.
There are two pushers on either side of the crown for Start, Stop and Reset; the pusher at 2 o’clock which is red, is also used to show the period of time selected from the following 4 options: 1st half, half time, 2nd half and end of match, all indicated by a window in the center at 12 o’clock. The screw-down crown with over molded rubber is decorated on the end with the famous “H” from the Hublot screw.
Another challenge to be met by those designing the movement was energy. This rather unusual display design demands additional effort, as the rapid movements of the hands require more energy from the movement. This has been optimized, as far as possible, so as not to affect the correct operation of the time display; Hublot was highly selective in its choice of materials and functions, opting for those offering the lowest possible consumption and friction coefficient. The beating heart inside the Hublot Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono King Gold Ceramic is the in-house automatic movement Unico HUB1261 with column wheel mechanism and a power reserve of 72 hours. The movement is fully visible via the display case back and it is one of the nicest movements in terms of finishing coming from our friends from Nyon.
The sharp angles and intelligent sandwich system have been retained in the case design, but the strap attachment in particular has been optimized featuring the now famous “One click” system which allows the wearer to switch between a wide choice of straps. The Hublot Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono King Gold Ceramic is supplied with a structured and ribbed black natural rubber strap which perfectly matches the end pieces of the middle case and is fitted with a black PVD titanium deployant buckle with 18K King Gold insert.
On the wrist, the replica watch wears slightly bigger than its actual size and top heavy. Its wrist presence is exceptional thanks to the 18K King gold case construction and the functionality of the chronograph is really exciting, especially if you are a fan of the most played sport in the world. Below you’ll see a short video we have prepared to see the chronograph in full action.
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Next time you head down to the ‘Bombonera’ to replica watch that classic match between River and Boca, make sure this lovely piece adorns your wrist.
Sticker Price $42,400 USD. For more info on Hublot click here.
