To commemorate the inauguration of their new boutique in Caesar’s Palace Forum Shops in Las Vegas, Hublot launched the Vegas boutique-exclusive Hublot Big Bang Las Vegas Edition timepieces. While there are technically four different references, they are all functionally the same watch offered with different case materials and diamond configurations.
At their heart, these watches are the Hublot Big Bang Chronograph powered by the calibre HUB4100, which is an automatic movement that offers 42h of power reserve and beats at 28,800bph. I believe the HUB4100 is either based off the ETA 2894-2 or is a modified version of it.
I’m sure, given the Las Vegas connection and Hublot’s polarizing designs in general, you won’t be surprised when I say these watches won’t be to everyone’s tastes. The first two variants start off with a microblasted black ceramic case, while the other two are a combination of ceramic and anodized aluminum and are set with 212 black diamonds.
The bezels on each of the watches vary too, with the simplest being a black ceramic similar to the case and the more elaborate ones having anywhere between 48 to 114 diamonds set in them. The most exclusive option – limited to one piece only – comes with the 48 baguette cut diamonds. These watches are ideal for someone who’s looking for some bling (perhaps to signal that they’ve had a successful run at the tables) and isn’t particularly picky about legibility. Perhaps it’s the supplied press images or could just be me, but it seems like legibility wasn’t a key consideration in the design process.
The dial is matte black with black applied markers and black luminescent paint, which is known for having a rather faint glow. The 7:00 marker is the only one that is Arabic and once again, set with black diamonds. Even the hands are, and I quote the brand, “satin-finished black plated hands with black luminescent.” The logic of using a black dial with black markers and black plated hands honestly escapes me. The watch images however, make the hands appear to be brushed metal without plating, which should improve legibility in some light conditions.
The case of the Hublot Big Bang Las Vegas Special Edition watches are completed by stainless steel pushers and crown (black PVD of course) and a black (surprise) composite resin for the lugs. The case checks in at 44mm wide by 14.6mm thick – well sized for people to notice the bling. It’s also rated to 100m water resistance so you can keep it on while you take a dip at the hotel pool.
The Hublot Big Bang Las Vegas Special Edition watches are limited runs – 21 pieces for the all-ceramic case (Ref. 301.CI.1110.HR.LVB17), 1 piece only for the case with baguette cut diamonds (Ref. 301.CI.1110.HR.0900.LVB17), and 7 pieces each for the remaining two (Ref. 301.CI.1110.HR.1100.LVB17 and Ref. 301.CI.1110.HR.1700.LVB17). All watches come with an alligator strap and a rubber strap and pricing varies from $18,600 for the all-ceramic to $65,700 for the baguette diamond set case; $22,800 and $32,600 for the other models, respectively. hublot.com
