Hublot Big Bang Earl Gray Watch In Steel

by Ariel Adams (RSS feed)
May 18th 2009 at 12:01PM

More with the gray watch trend? Where do these fads come from? Just recently I wrote about the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Gray that shared this theme, and no doubt there will be more. This watch is surely for the ladies, but will likely be available for men as well. I say that this is a ladies watch because the case is 41mm wide, which is typically the size Hublot reserves for its women's Big Bang watches - the male versions are at least 44mm wide, but now that I think about it -men who like the style could also enjoy it. Aside from the trendy gray colored dial, this watch has two interesting things to notice. First, is the metal bracelet, that I've never seen on the Hublot Big Bang watch line (though it is possible it was around before). It makes total sense for the watch to be coupled with a metal bracelet, and here is the first glimpse I've seen of one. Second is the fact that the watch is steel. Why is this important? Because steel is a lower cost metal and indicates Hublot realizes it cannot continue to fuel demand for its ultra decadent Big Bang watches constructed of exotic and/or precious materials. Though the screws are still titanium.

The case itself is a mixture of polished and satin surfaces, with a bezel inset with baguette cut diamonds. While diamond studded steel watches are not unheard of, does it really make that much sense? The dial is a fancy material called tantalum, which in this case is done with a soft satin gray look. The movement is the HUB1145 automatic mechanical chronograph movement, visible through the sapphire caseback window. While the watch does offer a rubber strap, go for the metal bracelet. Hublot hasn't been able to shed the whole "sandwiched" thing, so the bracelet is steel with "composite resin" in the middle. Not sure what that means, but it sounds like a fancy plastic or glue if you ask me.

Ariel Adams publishes the popular watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Tags: big bang, BigBang, earl gray, EarlGray, hublot, steel, watch

Filed under: Timepieces / Watches

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Dadi May 19th 2009 7:16AM

Hey, what about a little research before posting ?
"a metal bracelet, and here is the first glimpse I've seen of one". From the very beginning, the BB line was proposed with either rubber OR metal bracelet...
"the watch is steel. Why is this important? Because steel is a lower cost metal and indicates Hublot realizes it cannot continue to fuel demand for its ultra decadent Big Bang watches constructed of exotic and/or precious materials". Once again since the BB line was launched, steel watches were available and have never left the serie.
You might be referring the "bigger bang" line, a watch with a lot more sophisticated complication (chronograph tourbillion), from which a special edition is made every year : the one million bang.
I highly doubt Hublot is trying to move down form their current position in the market (mostly 10k to 20k watches, which correspond to entry level watches for Patek Pilippe, Vacheron Constantin or Audemart Piguet) according to their new line and soon to be announced models.
Instead of talking about "ultra decadent watches with exotic / precious metal" u should have mention the fact that it is outrageous to put such a price tag on a watch without a proper in house movement. For watch connoisseur the metal used is quite irrelevant – cheap steel or titanium versus platinum doesn’t make such a big different – ; what matters a lot more is the horlogical mastery and complication of the movement.

Ariel Adams May 19th 2009 7:24AM

Hi there,
Thanks for your comment. Let me address a few points. First, in terms of the metal bracelets, I indicated that they are new to my knowledge - not that they are necessarily new. I've never seen one on any of the many Hublot Big Bang watches I've seen here in America. It is possible that they are more popular in other parts of the world.
I agree that the largest premium should be placed on watches with in-house movements, but I don't agree that using outside movements should imply a cheap watch. Major Swiss movement makers such as ETA make fantastic and well engineered movements. They need to be given the large volume and production requirements. In-house movements with production in the 10,000s versus the 1,000,000s simply don't have the same expectations all the time (but of course there are many impeccable in-house movements).
Lastly, there is a large group of collectors who are quite interested in the materials that watches are made of. Many simple won't buy steel versus gold or platinum. So in that regard this is an interesting point in my opinion. Thanks for commenting and take care.

dadi May 19th 2009 7:50AM

Got your point Ariel, thanks for clarifying ! ETA indeed makes some workhorse movements and should be used for entry level watches, i'd love to see mechanical watches become popular again (as it used to be before the digital watch era) ; but i never understood why whould a "new" brand (like hublot for instance) try to gain reputation through puting diamonds on their bezels... In my opinion the best watch makers (PP, AP, VC, richard mille, philippe dufour, etc...) did not get to the top of the industry thanks to blingy and gaudy stuffs.
anyway, after posting my previous comment i realized it might sound a bit "dry", sorry about that, i didn't mean to be rude !
take care, bye

Ariel Adams May 19th 2009 2:50PM

Hi there,
Thanks for the follow up, no worries. You are just a passionate watch lover like me. I agree that the true appreciator of fine watches focuses on the overall design and what is inside. Dressing a watch up with diamonds only adds price without much substance. Part of the reason that I write about watches each day is to help re-establish a love for watches in America - in there is plenty of room for fine mechanical watch movements. Thanks again for reading and take care.