Hublot Big Bang Unico King Gold 45mm Ferrari Limited Edition

The timepiece presented here is part of the brand's Unico series, which unites the models with Hublot's in-house movements. Today's model is an automatic chronograph with a solid rose gold case and a rubber strap with a titanium clasp featuring a gold plate. Of course, the most interesting feature here is that the watch was created in collaboration with Ferrari – and to leave no doubt, the brand's golden horse is placed at the 9 o'clock position on the dial. The bezel is carbon, and what is interesting in this case is that it is crafted using gold threads. It is fixed and secured to the case with the brand's six proverbial screws. The dial is skeletonized, with luminous semi-skeletonized gold hands and applied hour markers, also with luminescence, which makes reading the indications very easy even in the absence of light. The minute markers are located on the sub-bezel around the outer rim of the dial, and the date window is at the 3 o'clock position. The watch features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating, a screw-down crown, a transparent case back, and water resistance of 100 m. The case diameter is 45 mm without the crown, the thickness is 16 mm, and the strap width at the lugs is 26 mm. Through the transparent case back, we can enjoy the workings of the in-house Hublot Calibre HUB 1241 movement – an automatic chronograph with a column wheel and flyback function, with a power reserve of over 72 hours, operating at 28,800 vibrations and composed of 330 parts and 38 jewels. A mechanical enumeration of the facts. So what does this watch actually possess to deserve its positioning in this high price segment? Yes, it does not have the long-standing history and popularity that models like the Submariner or Seamaster can boast, nor the mythological stories of the Fifty Fathoms or Radiomir, but it possesses several very important characteristics to become a cult model in its class. First – the quality. Starting with the materials used, moving through the finish of every detail, and ending with the overall composition and the impression the watch leaves, this characteristic leaves no room for doubt – this is not just a well-made watch, but one of the truly competently created models in contemporary watchmaking. Second – the distinct appearance. This is one of its greatest advantages. The overall impression is that during the design development, the main task was to 'fit' a circle into a hexagon and then to round the corners of this hexagon – the result is something truly recognizable and distinctive. Third, but not least – the technology. The watch seems to be assembled from several separate layers: the lowermost one, to which the case back is screwed, together with the upper one, clamp the construction with the help of six bolts with sleeves, and the bezel is secured onto the top layer. For a tighter contact between the bezel and the case, a composite rubber gasket is used. Indeed, this is not a watch we would call fine, elegant, or sophisticated – but no one expects that from it. This is an instrument, designed as an instrument, crafted as an instrument, and looking exactly like one – massive, slightly coarse, easy to use, and undeniably attention-grabbing, while at the same time providing pleasure from its presence on the wrist.