2013/01/29

*Hublot "New Productions 2013"

Hublot the Big Bang Ferrari "Red Magic Carbon", King Gold Carbon & Ceramic

 

HUBLOT and FERRARI: The great step forward

A fantastic first year of collaboration between Ferrari and Hublot is coming to an end. This has been highly successful, both commercially, with the two first Big Bangs in titanium and Magic Gold - the famous first ever scratch-resistant 18-carat gold invented by Hublot - and promotionally, with more than 130 events. This success is welcomed by Jean-Claude Biver, Chairman of Hublot, and Ricardo Guadalupe, the CEO of Hublot, and is already sparking ideas for new models. There are three which are already part of the Big Bang 45 mm family:

The first is the aptly named Big Bang Ferrari "Red Magic Carbon": It is the new symbol of the brand's progress towards verticalisation, with its case and its movement designed, developed, and produced entirely at the Hublot manufacture.

The UNICO movement is designed, developed, machined and assembled by the micro- mechanical engineers, engineers and watchmakers at Hublot. A practical flyback chronograph which can be reset at any time, and which is unique in the watchmaking industry, two push- buttons, with date indicator, and featuring a uniquely positioned mechanism with dual coupling and the famous "column wheel" visible on the dial side. Its development required a completely original approach and thinking outside the box: For example, the hour counter is driven directly by the barrel, and there is no jumper in the chronograph mechanism. This simplification boosts reliability and robustness. Its pallet fork and escapement wheel are fixed to a removable platform and are made from silicon, whose lightness provides a guarantee of performance. Its construction, which incorporates just 330 components, has been simplified as much as possible in order to further increase robustness. This result is the fruit of continual adjustments made since 2009, the year it was launched, which have been carried out jointly by the technical office, the laboratory and the after-sales service in the manufacture. Its frequency of 4hz/28,800 vibrations per hour and its immaculate finish are also a guarantee of high chronometric quality. Finally, its automated production, which includes automation of the machining, stone fitting, oiling and numerous assembly operations also ensures consistent, controlled quality. Its power reserve is around 72 hours.

Its carbon fibre case is also entirely designed, developed and manufactured by Hublot thanks to a team of specialists who joined the in-house team two years ago, and who understand all the production stages of its components perfectly. What sets it apart is the forging of all the carbon fibre components using the multi-layer principle: This involves the stacking of several sheets of carbon fibre (up to twelve for the thickest component), pressed into moulds and placed in polymerization ovens. The advantage of this principle: No bubbles, therefore providing the material with excellent homogeneity as well as higher mechanical strength. The in-house machining is done on specially adapted machines with five spindles. Each component of the case and the movement is subjected to continual checks throughout the manufacturing process. For example, the water resistance of each timepiece is inspected three times during its assembly.

Finally, the mass of the red sapphire crystal for this model was coloured directly by adding chemical components during the development of the material. Thanks to this process, the colour is unalterable. The timepiece comes with two straps, in black or red schedoni leather stitched onto black rubber, which gives it a great deal of flexibility, comfort and durability.

The Big Bang Ferrari "Red Magic Carbon" is a limited edition of 1000 numbered timepieces.

It is also presented in a "King Gold Carbon" version as a limited edition of 500 pieces, and in black ceramic as a limited edition of 1000 numbered pieces.