Hublot King Power Unico Titanium 48mm

Different yet recognisable, new yet quick to establish its prestige, desirable, distinguished and certainly very interesting – these are just some of the descriptions that the brand undoubtedly deserves. Hublot was created with the intention of being different by Carlo Crocco, a collector and enthusiast from Milan, who incorporated into all his models the design inspired by ship portholes that has since become the brand’s defining characteristic. The screws, bezels, crown and all other accents only emphasise the nautical theme embedded in the brand’s design. The unique case design blends seamlessly with the various strap styles, and this entire combination is made possible by the distinctive solution for attaching the straps to the case and, not least, by the brand’s interesting clasps. Hublot is undoubtedly one of the most prestigious manufacturers, producing only the finest watches. For more than three decades, the brand has created numerous technologically advanced models – some relatively conventional in appearance, others based on entirely new concepts, but always high-quality and prestigious timepieces. Every example demonstrates ingenuity and exceptional capabilities in the field of haute horlogerie. With the arrival of Jean-Claude Biver from Blancpain and the subsequent launch of the fusion-based Big Bang line, the brand’s development and recognition accelerated dramatically. The Big Bang, with its DNA of high-tech materials and contemporary design, won a prestigious design award in 2005. The watch presented for your attention is an automatic flyback chronograph with a titanium case and a rubber strap with a titanium clasp, offered in the largest size of the series – 48 mm! The bezel is also titanium, with a carbon insert, while the skeletonised dial features luminous semi-skeletonised hands and applied hour markers, also with luminescent material, making the indications very easy to read even in the absence of light. The minute markers are positioned around the outer edge of the dial, while the date window is located at 4:30. The in-house automatic HUB1240 Unico movement is a column-wheel chronograph with a flyback function and a power reserve of more than 72 hours. Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating, screw-down crown, transparent caseback and water resistance of 100 metres. The case diameter is 48 mm excluding the crown, while its thickness is approximately 18 mm. A mechanical listing of facts. But what exactly does this watch possess that justifies its position in such a high price segment? Yes, it does not have the long history and popularity of a Submariner or Seamaster, nor the legendary stories surrounding the Fifty Fathoms or Radiomir, but it possesses several very important characteristics that make it one of the iconic watches in its class. First, quality – starting with the materials used, moving through the finishing of every detail and ending with the overall composition and impression this watch creates when examined, there is absolutely no doubt about this characteristic. This watch is not merely well made – it can confidently be placed among the most intelligently designed and exceptionally crafted timepieces in general. Second, its distinctive appearance – this is one of its greatest advantages. The overall impression it creates is that, during the design process, the main task given to the designers was to fit a circle into a hexagon in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible and then round off the corners of the hexagon. :) Third, but certainly not least, is the technology – the watch appears to be assembled from four separate layers. The bottom layer, to which the caseback is screwed, works together with the upper layer to secure the remaining components using four bolts with bushings, while the bezel is attached to the upper section. A composite rubber gasket is used to ensure a tighter contact between the bezel and the case. This is certainly not a watch you would describe as delicate, elegant or refined, but nobody expects it to be. This is an instrument designed to be an instrument, built like an instrument and looking exactly like an instrument – massive, somewhat rugged, straightforward to use and genuinely capable of attracting attention, while giving its owner enormous pleasure simply through its presence.