Different, yet recognizable. New, yet quickly having gained prestige. At the same time desired, thoroughbred, and certainly very interesting – these are just some of the epithets that the brand categorically deserves. Hublot was created with the goal of being different by Carlo Crocco – an amateur collector from Milan, who in all models incorporates this design, inspired by ship portholes, which has already become a distinctive feature of the brand. The screws, the bezels, the crown, and all other accents only emphasize the naval theme embedded in the design of this brand. The unique design of the watch case merges with the uniquely designed and executed straps, and this whole fusion is thanks to the different solution for attaching the straps to the case and, last but not least, the brand's interesting clasps.
Hublot is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious watch manufacturers, producing only the finest timepieces. For over three decades, they have produced a range of technologically advanced, some simple in appearance, others based on entirely new concepts, but always high-quality and prestigious watches. Each specimen is an example of ingenuity and unique capabilities in the field of fine watchmaking. With the recruitment of Jean-Claude Biver from Blancpain and the subsequent launch of the fusion-based Big Bang line as a result of this collaboration, the brand's development and establishment gained new momentum. Big Bang, with its DNA of high-tech materials and thanks to its contemporary design, won the Wristwatch of the year award for 2005.
The watch presented here is an automatic diver, with a case made of carbon fiber and a titanium frame, a rubber strap with a titanium clasp, and is in the largest size for the series – 48 mm! Until now, we have had the opportunity to handle the Big Bang King series in the 48 size several times and we thought that this was truly a large watch, but this Oceanographic breaks all records – it is simply huge, and if someone wants to wear a large watch on their wrist, this is one of the first they should think of.
The watch is the brand's first "true" diver and was initially launched with the working name "4000" – only later was Oceanographic added, which came as a result of the brand's collaboration with the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Two versions were launched – a titanium one in a limited series of 1000 pieces and a carbon one in a series of 500 pieces, i.e., the one presented today is the rarer version and for this reason (and because of the materials used) is about 25% more expensive according to the price list. The differences compared to the regular BB King are mainly in the case design – the time-setting crown is at "4 o'clock" – it itself has an additional "helmet" – whose purpose is more of a design whim than any functional addition, and the additional crown "at 2 o'clock" serves to operate the internal bezel. The stationary bezel is also carbon, the black carbon dial has luminous semi-skeletonized hands in a darkened color and applied hour markers, again with blue luminescence. Minute markers are located on the inner sub-bezel around the rotating internal diver's bezel, and the date window is at the "03 o'clock" position.
Automatic movement with a power reserve of over 42 hours, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a thickness of 6.5 mm with double anti-reflective coating, screw-down crown, solid case back, water resistance 4000 m. The case diameter is 48 mm without the crown, the thickness is 24 mm, the width of the strap at the lugs is 26.
A mechanical listing of the facts. And what exactly does this watch possess to deserve its positioning in the high price segment where it is found? Yes, it does not have the long-standing history and popularity that a Seadweller or a Seamaster Ploprof can boast, the mythological stories of the Fifty Fathoms or the Radiomir, but it possesses several very important characteristics to become one of the cult watches in its class. First, the quality – starting from the materials used, passing through the finish of every detail, and ending with the overall composition and the impression this watch leaves upon examination, this characteristic does not raise a gram of doubt – this watch is not just well-made, it can boldly be ranked among the best and most competently made watches in general. Second, the distinct appearance – this is one of its great advantages. The overall impression it makes is that during the development of its design, the main task set before the designers was to try to fit a circle into a hexagon in the most aesthetic way and then to round the corners of the hexagon. Third, but not least, is the technology – the watch seems to be assembled from four separate layers: the bottom one, to which the case back is screwed, together with the top one, are clamped with the help of 4 bolts with sleeves, and the bezel is attached to the top cover (and to make the contact between the bezel and the case tighter, a gasket made of composite rubber is used).
Truly, this is not a watch you would call fine, elegant, or sophisticated, but no one wants that. This is an instrument, designed to be an instrument, crafted like an instrument, and looks exactly like an instrument – massive, somewhat raw, simple to operate, and truly attracting the attention of those around, while bringing pleasure from its presence to its owner.
