Continuing its partnership with SORAI (Save Our Rhinos Africa and India), the Swiss watch manufacturer Hublot has released its fourth limited-edition SORAI timepiece as its latest release of 2024. While the previous three SORAI-edition watches were based upon Hublot’s Big Bang Chronograph, the latest model in the series uses the tourbillon-equipped version of the brand’s tonneau-shaped Spirit of Big Bang as its foundation, and it is easily the most premium SORAI-themed model that the brand has put forward. Featuring a gray ceramic case and a matching gray-colored camouflage strap, the new Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI will be produced as a limited edition of 30 examples, and a portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to SORAI to help continue its fight to protect the rhinoceros.
SORAI (Save Our Rhinos Africa and India) is a conservation organization founded by former international cricket player and Hublot ambassador Kevin Pietersen. The first of Hublot’s SORAI-edition models arrived in 2019 with a tan/khaki color profile, while a green version followed in 2021, and the third model from the series was launched last year with a colorway inspired by the African sunset. However, while the previous three SORAI-edition Hublot models were all essentially different colorways of the same core design, the new Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI (ref. 645.FX.8020.NR.SOA24) is an entirely different timepiece that takes the most premium version of the Spirit of Big Bang and gives it the same aesthetic flourishes that have characterized the brand’s other SORAI-themed models.
Similar to other Hublot Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve models, such as the Carbon Orange version that was launched earlier this year, the new Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI features a tonneau-shaped case that measures 42mm in diameter by 13.25mm thick. However, rather than having a case made from forged carbon, the new SORAI-edition model features a gray ceramic case with polished and micro-blasted surfaces. Sapphire crystals are fitted to both sides of the watch to offer a full view of its internal movement, while a black-finished titanium winding crown sits at 3 o’clock with a rubberized grip molded to its edges. Similar to its siblings, the new Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI features 30 meters of water resistance to protect against incidental contact, and its gray ceramic case components are held together by the brand’s signature H-shaped screws, which are crafted from titanium and given a black finish to match the winding crown.
Just like most of Hublot’s skeletonized watches, the new Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI foregoes a traditional dial to showcase the internal workings of its movement, and it features the same overall layout that can be found on its Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve siblings. The time is displayed by a pair of off-center hands against an arc-shaped ring on the right-hand side of the dial, while the power reserve indicator appears next to it at 8 o’clock, and the tourbillon is prominently displayed at the 6 o’clock location. Beyond these key elements, the rest of the dial is essentially just a clear piece of sapphire, and even the long linear bridges of the movement are open-worked to reveal the various components that reside between them. Based on the photos, the time-telling hands and hour markers appear to be filled with luminous material, and Hublot’s name is printed on the transparent sapphire dial surface directly below the 12 o’clock marker.
While previous SORAI-edition Hublot models have incorporated a small rhino into their running seconds sub-dials, the new Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI includes this signature design element next to the time-telling hands at 3 o’clock. Just like other SORAI-themed watches, the small rhinoceros appears in a stylized geometric design that is slightly reminiscent of the works of French artist Richard Orlinski. However, while Orlinski is also a Hublot brand ambassador and has lent his name to a number of different watches, the angular stylized rhino is not actually one of his designs, and a similar geometric rhino can be found on various other items of merchandise that have been produced by SORAI over the years. Additionally, just like the previous three SORAI-edition models, the new Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI features the organization’s logo printed on the underside of the sapphire display window in the caseback.
Just like the standard Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve watches, the new Hublot Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI is powered by the brand’s manufacture Caliber HUB6020 manual-wind tourbillon movement. Running at a frequency of 21,600vph (3 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 115 hours, the 25-jewel Hublot Cal. HUB6020 consists of 183 individual components, and it features a 60-second tourbillon with an arc-shaped power reserve indicator to track its five days of autonomy. With that in mind, unlike the movements fitted to the various Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon models that have either forged carbon or colored sapphire cases, the Cal. HUB6020 movement inside the new SORAI-edition model has black-finished bridges to further lean into the model’s largely black and gray color profile.
Similar to previous SORAI-edition models, the new Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI comes as a set with two different straps. The first strap is made from black rubber with a fabric-texture outer section that appears in a camouflage print consisting of dark gray, light gray, black, and beige. Additionally, just like Hublot’s other rubber straps, the camo-print strap for the new Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI is completed by a deployant-style folding clasp that is made from black-finished titanium with a double push-button release. Meanwhile, the second included strap is one of Hublot’s Velcro wrap-around designs, and it is made from gray fabric with a black ceramic loop for its buckle. Additionally, the two straps can easily be swapped out by using the brand’s signature quick-release system that allows the ends of the strap to be disconnected from the case by simply pressing the two trapezoid-shaped buttons located on the top surfaces of the lugs.
As the most premium SORAI-themed model that has been put forward thus far, the new Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI (ref. 645.FX.8020.NR.SOA24) costs significantly more than the previous three models from the series, and the 30-piece limited edition has an official retail price of $110,000 USD, which makes it arguably more expensive than an actual rhinoceros. However, while the new Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon SORAI may be significantly more expensive than previous SORAI-edition models that were based on the Big Bang Unico Chronograph, it is also positioned directly in line with the rest of the brand’s Spirit Of Big Bang Tourbillon 5-Day Power Reserve models, which typically have a starting price just north of six figures. For more information on the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon Sorai, please visit the brand’s website.
