BYJovan K
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Mint Green Ceramic is one of those watches that makes an impression before you even realize what is happening. You catch the mint green from across the room, and it just pulls you in. It has this relaxed boldness that feels different from the typical Big Bang attitude. Hublot usually goes for loud and intense pieces, the kind that let everyone know you just walked into the room. This one still has presence, but it does it in a smoother, softer way that feels surprisingly refreshing.
Picking it up is the second surprise. You expect weight because the design looks solid and serious, but the ceramic keeps it light. Way lighter than your eyes expect. At 114 grams, it feels far lighter than it looks. That lightness changes the whole vibe. The color itself plays a huge part in that. Mint green sounds wild on paper, but in person, it is calm, confident, and strangely peaceful for a Big Bang.
The Case
The multi-part case keeps the classic Big Bang shape with bold edges, clean transitions, and those 6 signature H-shaped titanium screws on the bezel. But the moment you touch it, the ceramic changes the experience. Ceramic has a warmth and smoothness that metal never gets. It also has one of the best practical perks in watchmaking. It is almost entirely scratch-proof. You do not get desk marks. You do not get micro scratches. It stays clean, crisp, and sharp.
One important detail is that the mid case is made from polymer rather than ceramic. The bezel, lugs, and case back are ceramic, but the central structure under them is not. This does not take away from the look or the comfort, and it helps protect the ceramic from stress, but it is still a notable distinction for anyone expecting a full ceramic construction.
The play of polished and matte areas keeps the case alive without making it overdone. And because the ceramic keeps the weight down, the watch sits naturally and comfortably. The shape hugs the wrist instead of lifting off it. The size and lightness work together so the watch feels secure without feeling heavy, which is a big deal for a piece that looks this bold.
The size is perfect for Hublot. For a brand that regularly makes pieces in the 45mm range, 42mm x 14.5mm is very much the approachable zone. This is Hublot in a friendlier format. It lands on the wrist in a balanced, easy way instead of dominating your arm. I first handled this piece in April at Watches & Wonders, and it hooked me on the spot. The mint green looked way better in real life than I expected. I kept going back to it again and again just to take another look. Out of everything Hublot showed during the fair,this one and the Petrol Bluestood out instantly.
Pushers and Durability
The titanium pushers look bold and solid, but the action is surprisingly smooth. The start, stop, and reset clicks feel clean and precise. There is a softness to the feedback that makes the chronograph feel more refined than the aggressive design suggests.
You end up pressing the pushers even when you have nothing to time because the responsiveness is that good. The watch is rated to 100m/330ft of water resistance, and is ready for daily wear thanks to the screw-down crown made of titanium. As with most chronographs, the pushers are not designed for use underwater.
The Dial
If the mint green case draws you in, the dial is what keeps you staring. It is one of those layouts you can fall into without trying. The openworked design gives you a full view of the movement with gears turning, wheels shifting, and even a clear look at the column wheel from the dial side, a rare and satisfying detail that brings more mechanical character to the front of the watch.
The mint accents tie everything together. The outer ring, framed in mint, sets the mechanical action, and the subtle touches of mint on the hands and subdials add just enough color to make the movement stand out. Many openworked dials end up messy, but this one feels structured and intentionally designed. The sapphire crystal completes the view by shifting between sharp clarity and softened reflections as the light changes, adding depth to the dial.
If you tilt your wrist slightly, a different layer of the movement comes forward, almost as if the watch is changing scenes. Sometimes the gears take center stage, other times the column wheel catches the light, and occasionally the mint accents float above everything. It feels less like a static display and more like a living mechanism, enhanced by the mint ceramic that surrounds it and gives the watch a modern and expressive character.
Openworked dials can come with trade-offs, and here it shows mainly in the legibility. Indoors or at dusk, the hands can blend with the movement, and under bright sunlight, the date can take an extra moment to find. But none of it feels frustrating. The dial is so interesting and good-looking that those extra seconds become part of the enjoyment. It gives you more time to take in the view, and on a watch like this, that becomes part of the experience
The Movement
Inside sits the HUB1280 (Unico 2), a full in-house flyback chronograph. You can see it clearly through the back, and it matches the dial energy perfectly. It delivers 72 hours of power reserve, which is more than enough for daily wear. The movement itself is built from 354 parts and uses 43 jewels, which speaks to the level of engineering behind it. The flyback function is a highlight of the caliber. It lets you restart timing instantly with a single press instead of the usual sequence of three, making the chronograph feel faster, cleaner, and more intuitive.
The Unico 2 is the second generation of Hublot’s Unico family. It arrived in 2018 as an evolution of the original Unico that launched back in 2010 at Baselworld. This updated version is 1.3mm slimmer than the first generation at 6.75mm total height. That reduction allows it to fit into smaller 42mm cases instead of being limited to the larger models.
The movement is also protected by 5 patents, including the dual oscillating horizontal clutches, the anti-trembling mechanism, the zero-friction ratchet wheel blocker, the fine balance wheel adjustment system, and the constant pressure friction system for the minute counter.
The rotor has a personality of its own. It can be a little noisy at times, and you can even hear it spin from a short distance, especially during quick or sudden movements of the arm. Not in a bad way and not like anything is loose, but just enough to remind you that the movement is alive.
The finishing of the movement follows a modern and functional look. It is clean, precise, and intentionally industrial rather than decorated. There is no attempt to mimic classical hand-finished decoration, and that choice actually suits this watch. The openworked dial, the mint ceramic case, and the overall design lean toward a bold and modern overall look, so the straightforward finishing supports that identity without feeling out of place.
One thing I hope Hublot brings to the next Unico generation is a free sprung balance. The current setup uses an Etachron regulator, which works reliably and suits the contemporary design, but a free-sprung balance would provide greater stability in accuracy and give the movement an added sense of technical confidence. It would boost the mechanics to the same level as the design and make the evolution of the Unico feel even more complete.
The Strap
The strap is classic Hublot rubber, soft and flexible right from the start. It wraps around the wrist naturally and helps the case settle in without any drama. The comfort is honestly one of the most confident parts of the entire wear experience. The light ceramic case and the mid-sized format already make the watch easy to carry, and the rubber strap completes the package. It also uses Hublot’s One-Click exchange system, which lets you swap straps in seconds without any tools.
The titanium deployant clasp keeps everything locked in without adding extra weight. It opens and closes smoothly, feels secure, and makes slipping the watch on and off feel smooth. The entire setup feels solid but relaxed, exactly what you want on a watch that looks this bold but wears this easily.
I have worn this watch almost every day for the past month, and it has only strengthened my impression of how well the design comes together, because taken as a whole, the Big Bang Unico Mint Green Ceramic feels connected in a way that few bold watches manage.
Final Thoughts
The Big Bang Unico Mint Green Ceramic 441.GS.5221.RX in 42mm shows Hublot at its best. Personality without heaviness. Presence without discomfort. Color with presence. The movement has character, the dial is alive, the ceramic is light and virtually scratch-proof, and the size makes it more wearable than most Big Bang models. The watch is priced at 25,200 USD excluding taxes.
