BY JOVAN K
Hublot just pulled the curtain back at LVMH Watch Week 2026 and they didn’t exactly show up empty-handed. We have already covered Hublot’s full LVMH Watch Week 2026 lineup here. While the big headlines might be chasing that Novak Djokovic “GOAT” tourbillon made from actual tennis rackets or the latest Samuel Ross industrial collab, there is something a bit more grounded but equally sharp happening in the lineup. They have refreshed their core with a new Coal Blue theme across the board, covering everything from the Spirit of Big Bang to smaller diamond-set and even a few Sage Green Classic Fusion models. It is a massive release that basically says Hublot is comfortable being Hublot. But if you want the real sweet spot of the bunch, the one we have tapped as our Watch Of The Month, you have to look at the Big Bang Original Unico Titanium Coal Blue Ref. 431.NX.717B.RX.
One look and it’s clear that this isn’t just another Big Bang, it’s part of what Hublot is calling the “Big Bang Original” collection, basically their attempt at distilling 20 years of Big Bang evolution into what they think is the refined sweet spot. When you get this thing in your hand, the first thing you notice is that they have dialed in the proportions.
We are looking at a 43mm x 13.2mm case, which honestly feels about right for a sports chronograph in 2026. Titanium keeps it light on the wrist, something Hublot has always been smart about since nobody wants a chunky chronograph feeling like a boat anchor. The bezel is titanium too, no ceramic insert here, just brushed and polished titanium doing its thing. Water resistance sits at 100m, should be enough for daily wear, if not then the comments section is to the south.
The dial is where Hublot really wants your attention to gravitate. It’s not navy, it’s not royal blue, it’s this deeper, almost smoky blue that Hublot is rolling out across multiple models this year. The dial keeps that signature Big Bang layout with a checkered pattern, which is a nod to the carbon weave of the original 2005 model. It’s a stamped, satin-finished Coal Blue 3D effect motif with high interactivity with the light, shifting between stormy blue and deep grey as you move your wrist.
This textured backdrop adds a layer of graphic depth that inextricably ties the sporty case to a more refined ‘dressed up’ aesthetic. The chronograph registers remain easy to read, the 60-minute counter takes the three o’clock position and running seconds occupy nine. A date window sits neatly at four thirty. The hands and indices get some lume, standard fare. What makes it work is how the coal blue plays against the gray titanium, enough contrast to keep it readable but still not trying to grab attention from across the room.
Mechanics are handled by the HUB1280 Unico manufacture chronograph, a familiar sight for anyone who has spent time with modern Hublot. This is a self-winding flyback chronograph, which is a fancy way of saying you can reset the timer without stopping it first. With 354 components and 43 jewels, it runs at 4Hz and packs a 72-hour power reserve, which is the industry standard “weekend proof” spec these days.
Hublot fits this one with a coal blue rubber strap using their One-Click interchangeability system, so swapping straps takes about five seconds if you want to switch things up. The Big Bang Original Unico Titanium Coal Blue joins the collection as a non-limited release, priced at USD $20,400.
