Spotlight: fine Designs

Hublot’s Big Bang Sang Bleu II utilises the art of tattooing in a new masterpiece of architectural watchmaking

The Big Bang Sang Bleu II artfully elevates Hublot with new designs and techniques

More ambitious than the Big Bang Sang Bleu launched in 2016, the new Big Bang Sang Bleu II passionately channels the design skills of world-famous tattoo artist Maxime Plesciabuchi. A case with more finely chiselled lines, conveyed in three dimensions; an expression of the passage of time, the hands—two elongated diamonds and an arrow—are stylised fragments of tattoos set above a hypnotic chronographic movement.

The Big Bang Sang Bleu II harnesses the creative inspiration of Maxime in its threedimensional angles and edges. The motif spans the case, cutting into its hexagonal bezel, and carving into the sapphire crystal, juxtaposed against the hands with their geometric lines and moulded onto the interchangeable bracelet. The dial plays with transparency, allowing glimpses of the Unico movement. It is feat of construction, almost architectural in scope, in a 45mm case.

Within the meticulously interlaced geometric lines of this new case lies the HUB1240 Unico manufacture self-winding chronograph movement: the chronograph seconds are tracked along a straight hand, while the chronograph minutes complete their laps on one of the two discs on the dial. It oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, for a period of 72 hours.

A key component of contemporary pop culture, tattooing is no longer the sole preserve of a largely masculine underground scene.

From a primitive practice to a celebrated field

of art and a cultural phenomenon, its growing creative influence shows that tattooing is not merely a trend but a cultural shift that will last and influence generations to come.

The new Big Bang Sang Bleu II is the horological expression of a tattoo set in motion with timeless precision, unifying materials and crafts through geometry by Sang Bleu’s founder, Maxime Buchi.

The release of the iconic, multi-awardwinning Big Bang in 2005 paved the way for new flagship collections (Classic Fusion, Spirit of Big Bang), with complications ranging from the simple to the highly sophisticated, establishing the extraordinary DNA of the Swiss watchmaking house and ensuring its impressive growth.