Final week throughout LVMH Watch Week 2022, Hublot launched a trio of recent Huge Bang Sang Bleu II watches that I bought to hands-on with. In gold or ceramic, these are limited-edition items executed in collaboration with Sang Bleu. Extremely geometrically stylized (and splendidly divisive), the Huge Bang Sang Bleu II defies a lot of mainstream categorization and is the uncommon collaboration to efficiently stand by itself.
For these unaware of the collaboration, Hublot first partnered with iconic tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Buchi of Sang Bleu seven years in the past. The extremely faceted design of the case displays the Sang Bleu signature of remarkably straight strains interplaying in opposition to one another and, whereas I might get into the main points, our David Bredan did a really in depth evaluation of the gathering simply final yr (which you’ll be able to learn right here).
On the threat of sounding pushy or haughty, I’ll say that an opinion on the Huge Bang Sang Bleu II with out seeing it within the metallic is essentially incomplete or uninformed till you deal with it in particular person. Sure, it’s on the bigger facet at 45mm, and the aggressively geometric design will not be to your style, however belief me once I say there’s actually nothing prefer it. Singularity alone doesn’t inherently insinuate greatness, however the Sang Bleu II shines as a stark instance of unrestrained design leading to a spectacularly cool watch.
Becoming a member of the present variations of the Sang Bleu II comes this trio in Magic Gold, inexperienced ceramic, and black ceramic. All scratch-resistant supplies (together with Magic Gold, which we took a pair of keys to and didn’t get a scuff), these three new Sang Bleu II fashions present how versatile the design actually is. Again when it was first launched, I assumed the Sang Bleu could be a one-off limited-edition collaboration, however it has grown right into a full-fledged assortment (albeit one comprised of restricted editions).
The case is 45mm-wide and 16.5mm-thick with a lug-to-lug measurement of nearly 55mm and waterproof to 100m. The inexperienced ceramic mannequin is vibrant and shiny with a sheen that highlights all of the sides and angles in a colourful approach, whereas the black is extra brooding whereas undertaking the identical impact. Personally, the Magic Gold was absolutely the standout. Hublot’s proprietary Magic Gold is a reasonably restrained tone which solely serves to amplify the Sang Bleu case design.
The skeletonized dial goes full Sang Bleu as effectively, with strains crisscrossing and creating geometric patterns all through. It might really look like legibility is a matter however when you notice that the triangular lumed tipped arms denote the hour and minutes, it’s really fairly straightforward to learn the time. The dial design is so coherent and effectively thought out that it’s onerous to image the case with out the dial design, and vice versa.
Extremely comfy on the wrist on a rubber strap, the Magic Gold exudes modern luxurious whereas the ceramic fashions have a extra carefree fashion-oriented really feel. After all, all three are scratch-proof to allow them to be worn with out the underlying nervousness of inflicting harm. A completely uniquely designed and hard watch that you would be able to really buy — who’da thunk it?
(Word this picture is from David’s evaluation however a a lot clearer view than my picture above it)
From the caseback, you may see the automated HUB1240 manufacture UNICO flyback chronograph motion with column wheel. I’m joyful to see it’s completed with the suitable geometric Sang Bleu design which has as a lot thought and care put into it as some other facet of the piece. Working at 28,800 vph, the HUB1240 has a 72-hour energy reserve.
Every of the three new Hublot Huge Bang Sang Bleu II items comes on an identical rubber strap with the Magic Gold and black ceramic on black rubber and the inexperienced ceramic with inexperienced rubber. The Sang Bleu II Magic Gold is proscribed to 100 items with a value of $42,000, the Black Magic aka black ceramic is proscribed to 250 items with value of $27,300, and the inexperienced ceramic is proscribed to 200 items with a value of $27,300. You may be taught extra at hublot.com.
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