The Cherry Blossoms are blooming in Japan, so we’re celebrating with our selection of pink dial watches, and this Hublot Big Bang Unico Pink Sapphire is the boldest one yet!
For Watch Advice’s Cherry Blossom week, so far, we have had some elegant and sporty timepieces with daring looks. Now we move on to something that is far more bold and expressive. While most brands interpret pink dial through soft tones, traditional materials, or through artistic expression, Hublot is one brand that is renowned for taking a different approach.
Not one for playing it safe, their Big Bang Unico Pink Sapphire is quite possibly the best pink-themed timepiece on the market, and perfectly suited for cherry blossom season with its pink sapphire case beautifully complementing the soft tones of cherry blossom petals.
Creating a pink sapphire timepiece, let alone a sapphire one, is an extremely delicate process. It’s a space very few watch brands venture into, but one that Hublot has mastered. Sapphire is one of the hardest materials used in watchmaking, requiring diamond tools to cut, machine, and polish. Even among the brands that do explore sapphire cases, very few attempt to produce them in different colours.
To create coloured sapphire, trace elements such as iron or chromium must be introduced during the growth process. The challenge arises here, as these elements can cause bubbles, cracks, and structural inconsistencies within the crystal. Achieving a consistent tone of a single colour, which is pink in this case, is extremely difficult. Too much of the trace element can result in noticeable variations, ranging from deeper reddish hues to much lighter, almost clear shades.
Achieving the right balance of colour, clarity, and strength consistently from one watch to another is an incredibly demanding process. While it may appear to be just another coloured sapphire Big Bang Unico from Hublot, it is far more than that. Very few brands attempt sapphire cases, fewer still produce them in transparent coloured form, and even fewer manage to achieve soft pink tones like this. This makes the Big Bang Unico Pink Sapphire all the more special and a truly masterful creation.
Sapphire Case
The signature 42mm x 14.5mm Big Bang Unico case is crafted entirely from transparent pink sapphire crystal, which includes the bezel and the caseback. This truly is materials engineering at it’s finist for watchmaking, with the soft pink tones perfectly complementing the sapphire case to accentuate all the angles and architectural lines that define the Big Bang design. Where this sapphire case comes to life is when you take it under light, or direct sunlight. The case glistens and sparkles like no other, with every facet catching and refracting light in a way that feels almost unreal on the wrist.
Hublot’s “Art of Fusion” philosophy is certainly not forgotten in this timepiece, as this remarkable pink sapphire case is combined with titanium elements such as the H-screws on the bezel and lugs, crown, and chronograph pushers. Combined with the grey skeletonised dial, this gives a striking contrast that enhances not only the visibility of the movement, but also the aesthetic of the timepiece.
Skeletonised Dial
This pink sapphire edition features Hublot’s signature Big Bang Unico design for sapphire timepieces, with a skeletonised dial that gives a view of the whole movement. As mentioned earlier, the grey movement matches nicely with the titanium elements on the case; however, I personally think having the movement in a slightly darker tone, bordering on black, would allow the hour indices and hands to stand out much clearer, while also further highlighting the pink sapphire case.
The issue with having a full skeletonised movement is that it can affect dial readability. All the elements of the dial are done in the same shade of pink as the sapphire case, which certainly aids in legibility, but some aspects, such as the 3 o’clock 60-minute counter, can still blend in too much with the movement in the background. Hublot has used a special pink-coloured lume that looks fantastic, complementing the timepiece’s overall aesthetic.
Movement
Sitting inside the Big Bang Unico Pink Sapphire is Hublot’s HUB1280 Unico Manufacture movement. This is a self-winding flyback chronograph calibre, with instant reset and restart functionality. These Unico movements are some of the best chronograph calibres in the industry, and with a skeletonised framework, makes it even more impressive. The column wheel mechanism, which controls the start, stop, and reset functions of the chronograph, can be seen working directly from the dial side, a rarity in the world of mechanical watchmaking.
The HUB 1280 Unico Manufacture movement offers a power reserve of approximately 72 hours, while beating at a high-frequency of 4Hz (28,800 VpH). This combination of a 3-day power reserve and high-beat accuracy is also not a common feat, making this calibre both technically impressive and well-suited for everyday reliability.
Initial Thoughts
For Watch Advice’s Cherry Blossom Week, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Pink Sapphire stands out clearly as the boldest interpretation of the theme so far. While sapphire timepieces may not be everyone’s cup of tea, this is a technical masterpiece that is perfect for those who appreciate cutting-edge materials, craftsmanship, and a technically reliable movement, all the while not being afraid to make a statement on the wrist.
Hublot has never been one for fitting in with the norm, and that’s what makes them special. As is the case with this timepiece, where the soft pink hues, that perfectly capture the colours of cherry blossoms, are transformed into a striking, modern expression through sapphire. It’s a piece that doesn’t just reflect the season, but amplifies it, turning something delicate into a powerful design statement.
This timepiece is the perfect embodiment of Hublot’s “Art of Fusion philosophy. From the complexity of producing coloured sapphire to the architectural case design and skeletonised movement, every element works together to create something truly unique. It also makes the Big Bang Unico Pink Sapphire a standout piece for Cherry Blossom Week.
Reference: Hublot Big Bang Unico Pink Sapphire (Ref. 441.JP.4890.RT)
Specifications:
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 42.00 mm x 14.50mm thick |
| Case | Pink Sapphire with polished surfaces & titanium elements |
| Crystal | Glare-proofed sapphire crystal |
| Dial | Skeletonised dial with pink lume for indices and hands. Transparent sub-counters at 3 & 9 o’clock. |
| Caseback | Glare-proofed sapphire crystal |
| Movement | In-house HUB1280 UNICO manufacture movement operating at 4Hz (28,800 VpH) |
| Functions | Flyback chronograph, date |
| Power Reserve | Minimum 72 hours |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres (5 ATM) |
| Strap | Pink Transparent structured lined rubber straps with pink aluminum and stainless steel deployant buckle |