Hublot has reinvented creativity in a modern interpretation of the mechanical watch movement. Void of a conventional dial, the MECA-10 makes visible and aestheticizes something that is normally hidden. Inspired by Meccano-type construction systems, the MECA-10 is a masterclass in micromechanical engineering and a creatively intriguing spin on how we perceive mechanics and the motion of time itself. Like a construction that’s fashioned layer by layer, brick by brick, the Big Bang MECA-10 offers something to discover in every element from every angle, where the interconnection between them creates a dynamic choreography.

The original Big Bang MECA-10 broke all the rules upon its release 2016 with its unique form, consisting of a ring-shaped base plate onto which the bridges are attached. The result was one of visual intrigue and structural integrity. Now, Hublot revisits this unique take on the manual-winding skeleton movement with a refined, open and coherent display, while maintaining its distinctive construction that’s elevated with refined finishing and decoration. For the engineers and watchmakers at Hublot, the challenge was to preserve all that makes the MECA-10 so original, while reducing its dimensions to fit the 42mm Big Bang case without compromising its performance.

Delivered by two mainspring barrels, the energy level of the movement can be read by means of a digital display that shows the power reserve as the number of days of autonomy remaining. These indications are driven by a “crémaillère” rack system rarely seen in mechanical watches, consisting of a linear gear engaging a circular gear, moving in a straight line. A closer look at this system reveals a mechanism that is more subtle than it appears, composed of two superimposed disks rotating in opposite directions and connected by a spiral spring that coils in their centre like the barrel spring. This results in a very surprising differential display that is nevertheless intuitive to read.