In 2011 Hublot teamed up with the Italian sports-carmaker to share design and technology and to brand its watches with the Ferrari logo and the famous prancing horse. The new chronographs again strongly mirror Ferrari’s design language …
We all know that Hublot is the ultimate master in occupying lucrative niches. The brand has an incredible visibility and offers a variety of models like any other. The good thing is that you always recognize an Hublot. Whatever partnership you might think about, you will always know that it is an Hublot. This is also true for the new Big Bang Ferrari chronograph that was launched Wednesday in Maranello at the Ferrari HQ in Italy. When I first saw the new ones it was difficult to see and tell whats really new, but when looking closer I discovered some very strong Ferrari design language that was taken from the most recent sports-cars, the Ferrari 488 GTB and the Ferrari F12tdf.
You will find the screws of the bezel being used in a bigger size for the legendary 12-cylinder-engine, the typography on the chronograph´s dial being the one used on the dashboard instruments, the shape of the crown being part of the air-nozzle-interior-design and the subtle play with the colors red and black that you will find all over these Ferrari´s.
The entire design process was accompanied and controlled by no one less than Flavio Manzoni, Ferrari´s Design Director. It is also him who insisted that the prancing horse should be placed exactly over the column-wheel on the display. This is the only flaw I like to point out on these chronographs, but Flavio Manzoni told me there was no other place to put the prancing horse to achieve a symmetrical balanced dial design. Well then let´s accept his decision to to so…
What I very much like is the bayonet fitting of the crown. Once closed after being opened to either wind the watch or set the time and date the crown will perfectly be aligned again.
BRAVO!
A little detail that makes a huge difference to so many other watches, even to some that are much more expensive and exclusive.
The Big Bang Ferrari are equipped with the Unico in-house calibre that integrates a flyback chronograph with column wheel positioned on the dial side. The oscillating weight echoes the iconic star spoke design of the Ferrari wheel rims, while the main plate, bridges and oscillating weight are all treated with black PVD and can be seen through the dial and sapphire case-back.
Measuring 45 mm in diameter and available in titanium (1000 pieces), King Gold (500 pieces) and uni-directional carbon (500 pieces), the Big Bang Ferrari chronographs have a strap made from black alcantara on black rubber, with red over-stitching in the style of Ferrari upholstery or in black Schedoni leather in reference to the iconic design of Ferrari seats.
The titanium Big Bang Ferrari chronographs (402.NX.0123.WR – 1000 pieces limited edition) are sold for 25.900 Euro including 19 % VAT each,
the Big Bang Ferrari King Gold chronographs (402.OX.0138.WR – 500 pieces limited edition) are sold for 41.400 Euro including 19 % VAT each and
the uni-directional carbon Big Bang Ferrari chronographs (402.QU.0113.WR – 500 pieces limited edition) are sold for 26.900 Euro including 19 % VAT each.
Lateral inserts Black and red composite resin
Case-back Titanium or King Gold or black coated Titanium
Water resistance 10 ATM, i.e. approx. 100 metres
Dial Sapphire, Ferrari appliqué, rhodium–plated (Titanium) or 5N gold-plated (King Gold) or rhodium-plated (Carbon)
Hands
Date Sapphire disk, yellow window at 3 o’clock
Power reserve Approximately 72 hours
Strap Black Alcantara – red sewing – black rubber
UNICO movement Designed, developed, machined and assembled by the micro-mechanics, engineers and watchmakers at Hublot. Flyback chronograph, two push-buttons, with date indicator, mechanism with double clutch and “column wheel” visible on the dial side. The hour counter is driven directly by the barrel and there is no jumper in the chronograph mechanism. Its pallet fork and escapement wheel are fixed to a removable platform and made from silicon. 330 components. Frequency 28,800 A/h (=4 Hz ), 72-hour power reserve.
Two videos that showing you the new chronographs…
Would never buy a watch with the Ferrari brand on it. Its okay for the sportscars, but the Ferrari brand for wathces is dead, because Ferrari was in bed with too many different watchmakers over the last 40 years. The same thing with Porsche Desing watches, which were made by IWC, then by Eterna and now by … I don’t care. No consistent history.
Absolutely hideous
very nice collection – even better than the previous one.