Hublot envisages watchmaking differently. Its conception of time measurement is grounded in the particular expertise of a brand that places innovation front and centre - or rather the “Art of Fusion” that is intrinsic to every one of its creations: a fusion of designs, materials as well as movements. The Swiss brand has forged a path with its iconic Big Bang and more so the MECA-10 whose movement construction revolutionised the watch space when it launched in 2016. Several versions have followed since then, always with a 45mm diameter.
In contrast, the Big Bang MECA-10 that Hublot is introducing at LVMH Watch Week measures a more compact 42 millimetres. We can imagine the technical challenges to be overcome when scaling back the size of a watch that runs so much counter to established codes, both aesthetically and mechanically. From its debut in 2016, the MECA-10 broke new ground with the unique “Meccano-type” construction of its skeleton movement. This smaller diameter also aligns with recent years’ trend for more compact case sizes.
What, then, of the new Big Bang MECA-10? From a mechanical perspective, which is probably where most of the interest lies, the manual-winding skeleton movement retains its predecessor’s construction, but with evolutions to the finishing and decoration. Attached to the main plate, the three linear bridges are enhanced with satin-brushed surfaces and hand-polished bevels. On all three versions – King Gold, Titanium and Frosted Carbon – the movement is galvanically coloured in 5N gold tones, metallic grey and black, respectively, to match the cases. More mechanical madness: the digital display that tracks the impressive ten-day power reserve is driven by a system rarely seen in mechanical watches, namely a rack in which a linear gear engages a circular gear. The balance wheel, the escape wheel in paramagnetic silicon and all the movement parts are fully exposed. Seeing them in action is a visible demonstration of time passing.
Design-wise, the Big Bang MECA-10 conserves its familiar form. King Gold and Titanium versions reprise the characteristic satin-brushing and polished edges of previous iterations, while Frosted Carbon, a first for the Big Bang, is paired with a Velcro® strap in black to match this lightweight yet rugged material. Worth noting: frosted carbon has no fixed pattern hence every piece has a unique appearance.
