BY ERIK SLAVEN
Hublot introduced the first Big Bang with an integrated bracelet in 2020 – a stylized, open-worked chronograph with a 42mm case. Arguably the most popular line for Hublot, the Big Bang collection is in its 17th year and the new Integral Time Only trio tones things down into a (dare I say) mature package. The watches are still unmistakably Hublot with all of the DNA present, but the smaller dimensions, thinner profile and time-only setup offer a cleaner overall aesthetic. Integrated sports watches (with bracelets) are hot commodities these days and Hublot is joining brands like Bell & Ross, H. Moser & Cie. and even Citizen (with the high-end Caliber 0200) in capitalizing on the trend.
The new model has a 40mm case with a thickness of 9.25mm, which are dressy dimensions for sure. Like the Big Bang Integral chronograph from 2020, the Integral Time Only comes in three materials – titanium, black ceramic or 18k yellow gold. The ceramic model is limited to 250 watches, but the other two are not limited editions. The round brushed bezel sits on a composite layer and is secured via six H-shaped titanium screws, identical in appearance to the earlier Big Bang Integral. A brushed/polished three-link integrated bracelet seamlessly flows from the case and is second in expense to the movement. A lot of hand finishing goes into these complex bracelets and they’re both difficult and expensive to produce. It secures with a triple folding clasp. There are sapphire crystals front and back, and water resistance is rated at 100 meters.
The dial is sapphire, displaying the brushed movement plates, gears and jewels, and an open-worked date wheel that’s framed at 6 o’clock. The faceted, applied indices and partially open-worked hour/minute hands have Super-LumiNova inserts. A black minute track with white numerals and red marks spans the perimeter. The brand’s logo is printed on the underside of the case crystal, which has an anti-reflective coating. The case back reveals the HUB1710 automatic, which is based on the Zenith Elite 670 – both Hublot and Zenith are subsidiaries of the LVMH conglomerate, so cooperation like this is expected. It has 27 jewels, beats at 4Hz with a 50-hour power reserve. Although the watch is called the Time Only, it does have a date complication. Poetic license. Decorations are restrained, but there’s an open-worked rotor and cool circular Geneva stripes on the bridges.
The Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only retails for USD 19,900/EUR 19,600 for the black ceramic model (ref. 456.CX.0140.CX), again limited to 250 pieces, while the titanium model (ref. 456.NX.0170.NX) retails for USD 17,800/EUR 17,500 and the yellow gold (ref. 456.VX.0130.VX) for USD 49,400/EUR 48,700. Certainly not cheap, but competitive with comparable luxury sports watches.
Visit Hublot here.
