Hublot's Big Bang Time Only bracelet watch introduces a new 38 mm diameter, and abandons the distinctive skeleton dial.
Tell me you're a Big Bang without telling me you're a Big Bang. This is the idea behind the Integrated Time Only, the most understated version of the Big Bang. The aesthetic characteristics of the bold chronograph that has defined the image of HublotIndeed, they are still there, albeit concentrated in much smaller dimensions. But also shuffling the cards was a solotempo movement - the first ever for a Big Bang - and an accompanying integrated bracelet, unprecedented for a brand that has built its image on its rubber strap. Quite a challenge for Hublot, because the Big Bang Integrated Time Only has positioned itself in a very competitive segment, that of luxury sports bracelets. Where, however, the brand had its say with a personal stylistic approach, without betraying the family feeling of the collection.
The first Time Only arrived two years ago, with a 40 mm case (small, by Hublot standards) and a skeleton dial in the Big Bang tradition. Now, however, the next step has arrived. In fact, the new version goes down even further to 38 mm and becomeswith a thickness of 9.4 mm, a genderless watch in its own rightsuitable for all wrists and occasions.
A Big Bang with a closed dial
The Time Only concentrates Hublot's Big Bang case design in 38 mm.
If the case design has not changed, on this even more compact Time Only set-up it was enough to put a non-skeletonised dial to have a different personality. Seen here in the blue version, paired with 18-carat King Gold, Hublot's proprietary gold alloy. It differs from the models with skeleton dials in the alternation of baton hour markers with Arabic numerals for the even numbers. The position of the date display also changes, moved from 6 o'clock to 3 o'clock.
The case is that of the Big Bang, in an even smaller size, with the sandwich construction allowing for play with materials: a composite insert, in this case blue, is inserted between the central part and the round bezel with the six H-shaped titanium screws.
A Sellita-based movement modified by Hublot.
The Big Bang Integrated Time Only becomes a classic by Hublot standards
If the previous 40 mm skeleton version adopts a movement based on the Zenith Elite 760, The Big Bang Integrated Time Only 38 mm, on the other hand, features a new calibre, the automatic HUB1115, made on a Sellita base and modified by Hublot. The power reserve is up to 48 hours. It's hard to think of a Hublot as a classic, but the new Time Only certainly is by its standards, as it reflects the more straightforward, yet powerful Big Bang offering.
With its new size and non-skeletonised dial, the Time Only seems to be the link between the Big Bang and the Classic Fusion Original, the watch where it all began in the 1980s. Which, in a fresh and contemporary image, manages to unite the two worlds perfectly.
Price49,100 euro (King Gold version).
