By Jovan K
Every brand eventually realizes that watches and the seasons go hand in hand. For Hublot, that moment kicked off with those bright Summer Unico editions back in 2017. Since then, they have kept the momentum going, most recently with their Summer Unico release for 2025, which you can check out here. As winter takes hold, Hublot unveils two new pieces, the Big Bang Unico Winter Sapphire and the Big Bang Unico Winter Titanium Ceramic, a pair that brings the winter vibe to life in true Hublot style.
Both watches come in 42mm x 14.5mm cases. Having spent time with the Big Bang Unico range, with watches in 42mm, 44mm, and 45mm diameters, I can say that the 42mm is the pick of the bunch for me and wears very well indeed. The sapphire edition uses a polished transparent sapphire crystal across the case, bezel, and everything else, giving it the full see-through treatment, except for the crown, the chrono pushers, the screws, and the One Click buttons, which are all done in titanium. The titanium ceramic model goes its own way with a microblasted titanium case and caseback paired with a white ceramic bezel. The two watches differ in water resistance, with the sapphire version rated at 50 meters, which is expected, given the more delicate nature of a full sapphire case, but it is still fine for light pool swimming. The titanium ceramic model offers 100 meters.
The dial keeps things open and industrial, which has always been a big draw for the Unico watches. Both watches use a skeleton layout with rhodium-plated details throughout. The Unico design language has always been more open compared to Hublot’s early designs, the idea being to show off the mechanics and make a more expressive design.
The snowy theme is evident on the caseback, too, where the grey tungsten rotor is shaped like a snowflake. Under it sits the in-house HUB1280 Unico automatic chronograph flyback movement, finished in an ice blue tone, with 43 jewels, 354 components, a 4Hz beat rate, and a solid 72-hour power reserve. It has a dial side column wheel and a silicon escapement that gives better performance and strong magnetic resistance. The movement also carries five registered patents that cover the dual oscillating horizontal clutches, the anti-trembling system, the zero-friction ratchet wheel blocker, the fine balance wheel adjustment system, and the constant-pressure friction system for the minute counter.
Hublot keeps the strap setup straightforward with the One Click system and includes two options: a white rubber-lined calfskin strap and an ice blue version. Swapping between them is quick, so the watch moves easily from daytime to evening.
The Big Bang Unico Winter Titanium Ceramic (Ref. 441.NH.429B.VR) is limited to 200 pieces and is priced at 26,300 USD. The full Sapphire model (Ref. 441.JX.429B.VR) is limited to only 30 pieces and comes in at 80,500 USD.
