News: What’s The Deal With Sapphire Crystal? – The Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire
Gone are the days where precious metals like gold are considered a luxury—it’s all about sapphire now. As the machining of sapphire crystal becomes more accessible, more and more brands are starting to use it. Richard Mille did it first, closely followed by brands like Hublot. So how do you set yourself apart from the crowd? Make your sapphire watch so orange that it steals your lasagne. Get it? Because both Garfield and this watch are orange? Ah, forget it…introducing the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire.
Hublot was founded in 1980, Geneva, Switzerland
This isn’t the first-time colour has been added to a sapphire watch. Girard-Perregaux and affordable sapphire brand Aventi have blue sapphire watches, Richard Mille has blue and red sapphire models—it's not even the first time Hublot has done it. Hublot has a long list of coloured sapphire watches including ones that are red, blue and yellow. So, why is this 45mm orange one so special? Well, that’s thanks to its tourbillon and ultra-skeletonised design.
When I say ultra-skeletonised, I mean ultra-skeletonised. Just look at it; even the dial is made from sapphire crystal. The sapphire dial also doubles as the Caliber MHUB6035’s bridge—a smart design choice on Hublot’s front as it means there are a minimal number of obstructions within the watch. The dial features applied hour markers, skeletonised minute and hour hands, as wells as holes cut into the watch at 6—to accommodate the flying tourbillon—and another at 12 for the Hublot-branded micro-rotor.
Hublot, when translated to English means porthole
As you look over the Orange Sapphire, you get to know the Caliber MHUB6035 and each of its 243 parts. Running at 21,600 vph, with 26 jewels and boasting a fairly practical 72-hour power reserve—which is topped up by the 22k grey-gold micro-rotor—the Caliber MHUB6035—although not the prettiest of movements—is a masterclass in skeletonisation.
If you’re currently thinking, “I like the movement and the sapphire dial, but I’m not a fan of the orange” Have no fear. Hublot is also offering the same with either a carbon or black ceramic case. They are slightly more affordable and aren’t limited to just 50 pieces either.
The first Hublot Big Bang was released in 2005
Love it, hate it, there is no denying the Hublot Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Orange Sapphire is a unique-looking watch. The ultra-skeletonised design is a pretty awesome feature of this watch—being able to see your watch in its entirety and all—but the orange? Each to their own, I guess.
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