Hublot Big Bang 20th Anniversary: How the UNICO 2 Movement Redefines a Legend
Two Decades of Big Bang: Where Art of Fusion Meets Modern Engineering
Hublot celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Big Bang at Watches & Wonders 2025 with a collection that bridges the original 2005 design with today's cutting-edge technology. According to aBlogtoWatch, the anniversary models feature a hybridized approach — preserving the aesthetic DNA of Jean-Claude Biver's landmark creation while integrating the manufacture UNICO 2 movement and modern case innovations.
The Big Bang's Revolutionary History
When Jean-Claude Biver acquired Hublot in the early 2000s, the brand was struggling. The first Big Bang, designed primarily by Yvan Arpa, introduced a modular, multi-material concept that Biver later dubbed "The Art of Fusion." This approach — stacking different materials in a single case — combined with Biver's marketing genius, transformed Hublot from a fading brand into an industry powerhouse, culminating in LVMH's acquisition in 2008.
The original Big Bang used relatively basic ETA/Sellita chronograph movements and inexpensive case materials including plastic composites. The first steel version was priced around $10,000. Over two decades, Hublot incrementally elevated the product line, eventually developing the in-house UNICO automatic chronograph movement.
20th Anniversary: Original DNA, Modern Technology
The anniversary collection includes five references, with the Titanium Ceramic 43mm (ref. 431.NM.1337.RX) and King Gold Ceramic 43mm (ref. 431.OM.1338.RX) as the centerpiece models. Key updates from the original include:
| Feature | Original Big Bang (2005) | 20th Anniversary (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Case Size | 44mm | 43mm |
| Base Material | Steel | Titanium or King Gold |
| Strap System | Standard | One Click Quick-Release |
| Movement | ETA/Sellita Chronograph | UNICO 2 In-House |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph | 28,800 vph (4 Hz) |
| Power Reserve | ~42 Hours | 72 Hours |
| Chronograph Registers | Three | Two (60-min counter) |
| Regulation | Standard | Silicon-Based System |
| Lume | Hands Only | Hands + Hour Markers |
The UNICO 2: A Movement Built for the Next Era
The UNICO 2 caliber represents Hublot's most refined chronograph movement to date. At 4 Hz with 72 hours of power reserve, it features a column-wheel controlled flyback chronograph with silicon-based regulation. The movement is 1.3mm thinner than the original UNICO, despite incorporating a modular escapement system designed for easier long-term servicing.
Hublot's automated lubrication system at the Nyon manufacture ensures all oiling points function perfectly, while the double-reversing switch with ball bearings replaces the original Pellaton winding system for improved efficiency.
Modular Design: The Industry-Shaping Concept
The anniversary models highlight what made the original Big Bang so commercially successful: its modular construction. By designing a platform where bezels, cases, dials, and straps could be swapped in different combinations, Hublot created a template that the entire industry later adopted. This approach allowed the brand to produce dozens of variations from a single design, connecting each to specific marketing campaigns, ambassadorships, and limited editions.
Pricing and Availability
The Big Bang 20th Anniversary Titanium Ceramic 43mm is priced at $20,800 USD and limited to 500 pieces. The King Gold Ceramic 43mm version is priced at $38,400 USD and limited to 250 pieces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does the 20th Anniversary Big Bang compare to the original 2005 model?
A: The anniversary version is 1mm smaller (43mm vs. 44mm), uses titanium instead of steel as the base material, features the in-house UNICO 2 movement with 72-hour power reserve, includes the One Click strap system, and adds lume to the hour markers — while preserving the original's layered case construction and aesthetic proportions.
Q: What is the "Art of Fusion" concept?
A: Coined by Jean-Claude Biver, "The Art of Fusion" refers to Hublot's practice of combining unexpected materials within a single watch case — rubber with gold, ceramic with titanium, carbon with sapphire. This modular, multi-material approach became the brand's defining characteristic and influenced the broader watch industry.
Q: Is the UNICO 2 a significant upgrade from the original UNICO?
A: Yes. The UNICO 2 is 1.3mm thinner, introduces a modular escapement for easier servicing, replaces the Pellaton winding with double-reversing ball bearings, uses automated lubrication at the Nyon manufacture, and incorporates the oscillating clutch system — all while maintaining 72 hours of power reserve.
Related Reading
- The Complete History of the Hublot Big Bang: 2005 to 2025
- Understanding the Hublot UNICO Movement Family
Source: Based on reporting by Ariel Adams at aBlogtoWatch, published April 8, 2025.