Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Impact: Sapphire, Ceramic, and Crystallized Osmium Push Material Boundaries

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Impact: Where Advanced Materials Meet Avant-Garde Design

At Watches & Wonders 2026, Hublot unveiled the next chapter in its Impact series with three limited-edition Spirit of Big Bang Impact watches. Originally launched in 2016, the Impact concept features an avant-garde fragmented motif where interlocking elements create the striking appearance that the watch has been shattered. For 2026, Hublot brings this aesthetic to its tonneau-shaped case, showcasing mastery of black ceramic, crystallized osmium, and diamond-set sapphire.

Three Models, Three Material Stories

The Impact series spans three distinct models, each a limited edition with its own material narrative. The entry point is the Spirit of Big Bang Impact All Black (ref. 647.CX.0140.RX.IMP26), a 100-piece limited edition featuring polished and micro-blasted black ceramic with mirror-polished black appliqués creating the shattered motif across the dial.

The second model, the Spirit of Big Bang Impact Sapphire (ref. 647.JX.0106.RW.IMP26), is a 30-piece limited edition with a transparent sapphire case. Its dial showcases alternating appliqués made from polished rhodium and crystallized osmium — the densest, hardest, and rarest metal on Earth. This pale blue crystallized form offers a truly brilliant sparkle that creates a mesmerizing visual experience.

The most exclusive model is the Spirit of Big Bang Impact Sapphire Jewelry (ref. 647.JX.9000.RW.1904.IMP26), limited to just 20 pieces. This marks the first time Hublot has set diamonds into sapphire. The bezel features 54 fancy-cut diamonds, while the dial is adorned with another 91 fancy-cut diamonds, each unique in size and cut. The diamonds are set within polished gold channels secured between framing strips within laser-cut mounts in the sapphire bezel.

Material Specifications Comparison

Crystallized Osmium: Earth's Rarest Metal

The standout material in the collection is crystallized osmium. Denser, harder, and heavier than platinum, osmium is considered the rarest naturally occurring metal on Earth. In its crystallized form, it exhibits a pale blue hue with exceptional brilliance. On the Spirit of Big Bang Impact Sapphire's dial, the osmium fragments alternate with mirror-polished rhodium shards, creating the collection's signature shattered aesthetic on a transparent sapphire sheet.

Sapphire Case Engineering

Both sapphire-cased models measure 42mm in diameter with a height of 15.5mm. The transparent cases are secured by Hublot's signature H-shaped screws, with sapphire crystals on both front and back. While the sapphire material offers exceptional scratch resistance and transparency, it does reduce water resistance to 50 meters compared to the ceramic model's 100 meters.

The challenge of setting diamonds into sapphire required innovative engineering. Since the rigid nature of sapphire is not conducive to traditional gem-setting, each diamond is housed within polished gold channels, which are secured between two framing strips within laser-cut mounts in the sapphire bezel.

FAQ: Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Impact Materials

What is crystallized osmium?

Crystallized osmium is the densest and hardest form of the rarest metal on Earth. It appears in a pale blue crystalline form with exceptional brilliance, making it ideal for luxury watch dials.

How does Hublot set diamonds into sapphire?

Since sapphire is too rigid for traditional gem-setting, Hublot uses polished gold channels secured between framing strips within laser-cut mounts in the sapphire bezel. Each diamond is unique in size and cut.

What movement powers these watches?

All three models use the Hublot Caliber HUB1770, based on a Zenith Elite architecture. It operates at 28,800vph with a 50-hour power reserve, featuring moonphase, date, and running seconds displays.

Sources: aBlogtoWatch

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