Hublot Big Bang Unico GMT
2017 GPHG Travel Time Category Finalist
Keeping tabs on the time back home while you're traipsing across the time zones is made easy with Hublot's Big Bang Unico GMT, using its deceptive chronograph looks to skip swiftly through to local time, wherever you might be, at the push of a button.
At first glance, the Big Bang Unico GMT almost looks like it might be out of place here among the six preselected finalists in the GPHG 2017 Travel Time awards. Sporting a pair of chrono-like pushers either side of the crown, yet with the features of a GMT/second tome zone watch on its dial and a bezel with numerals like a dive watch, it seems like there was a mix-up on the Hublot production line, but of course it's nothing of the sort.
Faced with the challenge of devising a simplified operational solution to the GMT complication, Hublot have combined the tactile features of a chronograph to enhance the functionality of the GMT, by pressing the pushers to advance or retract the local hour hand in one-hour increments, while the 'home time' uses the arrow hand in conjunction with the 24-hour day and night disc at the centre of the sapphire dial. It's a clever solution, and regular travellers would doubtless appreciate its ease of use.
Available in black carbon fibre or titanium 45mm case the Big Bang Unico GMT, with its rugged looks and pronounced features, is the sportiest pick of the six finalists, and it's contemporary too; its sapphire dial and caseback revealing the HUB1251 self winding movement within.
While it is technical, practical and very convenient to use, its uncompromising, modern styling is perhaps an acquired taste, and across a panel of jurors I am not sure it would carry a winning vote. The category is only in its second year so it's impossible to establish a trend. Last year, it was Fabergé and its Visionnaire DTZ; a very different watch to the Hublot.
The Watch Press prediction
No. I would not be shocked if the Big Bang Unico GMT were to win the GPHG 2017 Travel Time award, just because it's innovation is so usable, but I would be mildly surprised, as the competition is strong here, and very diverse.
The pertinents
- REFERENCE: 471.QX.7127.RX
- CASE: Titanium or carbon fibre
- BRACELET/STRAP: Rubber
- BUCKLE: Folding clasp
- MOVEMENT: Self winding mechanical. Power reserve: 72 h, 28'800 vph
- FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Second time zone
- SIZE: ø 45 mm
- THICKNESS: 15.85 mm
- WATERPROOFNESS: 100 m
- PRICE EXCL.VAT: 20'278 CHF
