Hublot’s Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue turns mechanical complexity into a transparent summer spectacle!
It was only a few days ago that I did my hands-on review of the Hublot Big Bang Automatic Tourbillon Yellow Neon SAXEM sapphire timepiece, and now we have another release from the brand, further cementing its status as the undisputed Master of Sapphire creations. Hublot is a brand that has never been afraid of colour, transparency or technical experimentation, and sapphire is one of the best examples of this.
What was once considered a material almost impossible to machine into the specific designs required for watch cases, especially at a commercial scale, has now become one of Hublot’s defining pillars. It allows the brand to play with light, design, and colour in a way that very few watchmakers in the industry can.
This latest Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue continues the brand’s amazing story with sapphire, creating arguably one of its most visually captivating pieces yet. Limited to just 100 models, this new Big Bang brings together Hublot’s sapphire mastery with a soft blue skeletonised dial, giving the watch a lighter and more summery personality just in time for the European summer. But even with this softer look, this is still a highly technical piece, boasting an incredible power reserve and the full mechanical display of the HUB1201 movement.
Transparent Architecture, Sky-Blue Character
The signature design of the 44mm Big Bang case is retained, with it crafted from clear sapphire and given a polished finish to provide that signature glass-like transparency while reflecting light beautifully. As with most of Hublot’s sapphire creations, the case is paired with titanium elements, with the H-shaped screws and crown made from the lightweight metal.
What makes this latest sapphire creation stand out, however, is the way the transparent case allows the sky-blue elements of the dial inside to influence the overall aesthetic of the timepiece. The matte sky-blue skeleton dial and matching movement bridges give the watch its light blue appearance, reflecting a feeling of summer. But the beauty of the piece lies in how Hublot has used the sapphire case as a window into the dial’s main character.
From the front, the watch looks like it features a transparent, clear sapphire case with a blue openworked dial. However, when you start looking at the case from different angles, that inner blue radiates through the sapphire, giving the case a soft blue appearance. Clever and beautiful at the same time!
The dial is where the Sky Blue name of the watch really starts to make sense. Hublot has used a matte sky-blue skeleton dial, almost with a metallic hue, which gives the watch its main burst of colour. Even with the transparent sapphire case, this sky-blue skeleton dial allows the Meca-10 movement to remain the visual centrepiece.
The sky-blue treatment also does not overpower the watch, but rather gives the impressive mechanical manual-winding movement sitting inside this Big Bang a softer layer, allowing the technicality of the calibre to still shine through. The matching sky-blue bridges help tie the whole design together, while the transparent sapphire case allows the dial and movement colours to be seen from different angles.
Ten Days Of Mechanical Theatre
The Hublot Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue is powered by the HUB1201 manufacture manual-winding Meca-10 movement, which has long been one of the Maison’s most technically impressive time & power reserve indicator movements. What I like about this movement is its construction, or more so its architecture, which is inspired by mechanical building systems. Made from 223 components, the fully skeletonised architecture places the movement on full display, making it a natural fit for a sapphire-cased watch like this.
The highlight of the HUB1201 Meca-10 movement is its staggering 10-day power reserve. This is achieved through two parallel mainspring barrels, while the movement also uses an unconventional rack-and-pinion system, with sliding racks running from 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock that are directly linked to the power reserve indicator. Operating at 3Hz, or 21,600 VpH, which is standard for a manual-wound movement, the calibre is not just technically impressive. Its complexity also plays a role in how the skeletonised architecture is formed, creating that beautiful visual spectacle.
Initial Thoughts
This watch perfectly encapsulates what Hublot does best: the Art of Fusion. While that philosophy often refers to the literal mixing of materials, I see it here as something broader. It is about bringing materials, colour, and technical complexity together in a way that allows each element to bring out the best in the other. And this is exactly what the Big Bang Sapphire Sky Blue does: a modern, transparent, colourful statement piece that leans fully into the brand’s identity.
When you have mastered sapphire timepieces, it becomes more about how to then interpret what you have created differently. And infusing a metallic and matte sky-blue architectural skeleton dial does just that, as it beams with colour when looking through the transparency window of the sapphire case.
For me, the appeal of this watch lies in how well the material, colour and movement work together. Sapphire watches can sometimes feel like they are built purely around shock value, but here the sky-blue tone gives the Big Bang a more emotional and atmospheric quality. For those who love Hublot’s bold use of materials and its unapologetic approach to design, this is a very fitting addition to the brand’s sapphire story.
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | 424.JX.5120.RX |
| Dimensions | 44mm case diameter x 53mm lug-to-lug x 14.4mm thickness |
| Case | Polished Sapphire Crystal |
| Dial | Matte Sky Blue skeleton dial showcasing Meca-10 movement |
| Crystal | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Caseback | Open, sapphire |
| Movement | Manual-wound HUB1201 Manufacture Skeleton Power Reserve movement |
| Power Reserve | 10 Days |
| Beat Rate | 3Hz / 21,600VpH |
| Water Resistance | 50m / 5bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Sky blue lined structured rubber strap with titanium deployant buckle clasp |