In 2022, Hublot unveiled the Square Bang Unico, adding a novel square-shaped design to its diverse collection of timepieces. This new model joins the prestigious lineup that includes round, barrel-shaped, and uniquely designed Master Pieces (MPs).
The Square Bang Unico stands out with its King gold and ceramic design, captured beautifully at the Pisa 1940 flagship store in Milan. As Italy’s largest watch dealer and a favorite among international collectors, Pisa 1940 has hosted exclusive editions from elite brands like Patek Philippe and IWC. This setting provided the perfect backdrop for our encounter with this innovative timepiece.
Developing a square watch poses unique challenges. The inherent circular design of mechanical calibres complicates their integration into a square case, often leading to the concealment of movements in traditional square watches. Hublot embraced this challenge by engineering the HUB1280 Unico movement specifically for this model. This in-house automatic chronograph movement, featuring 354 components, operates at 4 Hz and boasts a 72-hour power reserve. Its construction allows for a captivating display of its inner workings from both sides.
Additionally, square cases typically struggle with waterproofness more than their round counterparts, compounded by the modular construction typical of Hublot designs. However, Hublot’s expertise facilitated the creation of a water-resistant square case capable of withstanding pressures up to 10 bar (100 meters/330 feet).
The watch’s 42 mm x 14.5 mm case showcases a square bezel secured by six functional screws, mirroring the placement found on the round Big Bang models. It also features protective ‘ears’ which enhance both its aesthetics and durability.
The particular model we photographed features a luxurious combination of King Gold and a black ceramic bezel, offering a sporty yet sophisticated aesthetic. King Gold is an exclusive alloy, enhanced with 5% platinum to enrich its hue.
Hublot also offers the Square Bang Unico in other variants including a 250-piece limited edition in black ceramic, titanium models both with and without a black ceramic bezel, and an all King Gold version.
The design includes a sapphire crystal front that proudly displays the openworked multi-level dial, showcasing the chronograph column wheel at 6 o’clock. The dial is further enhanced with polished and sandblasted screws, a rubber-overmoulded crown, and push-pieces adorned with rubber ‘chocolate squares’. The hands and hour markers are 5N gold-plated, filled with Super-LumiNova for enhanced visibility in low light.
Completing the aesthetic, the watch is paired with a black rubber strap featuring a textured pattern of raised squares that echo the four-sided case design, along with a matching folding clasp.
With the Square Bang Unico, Hublot not only expands its horological horizons but also sets a new standard in the aesthetics of luxury watchmaking. Be sure to check our list of the most expensive watches ever.
