Imploding on the scene in 2005, the Hublot Big Bang was designed to shock and awe with its large loud cases fusing state-of-the-art materials. Fusion is the operative word again as the Big Bang steps up the action with a micro-rotor and tourbillon staged inside an ultra-lightweight carbon fibre and Texalium case with an integrated strap that looks uncannily like a metallic bracelet. Similar to the Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Full Sapphire of 2021, the Hublot Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Texalium-Carbon (yup, it’s a mouthful) is a powerful mix of old and new combining in-house horological weight with a radically resistant yet lightweight composite.

The striking interwoven texture of the 43mm case, with its thickness of 14.15mm, is produced using carbon fibre. Renowned for its resilience and lightness, the carbon fibre case weighs just 42 grams (without the strap). However, since fusion and state-of-the-art materials are the operative words, the carbon fibre is covered with a protective Texalium coating. This fibreglass-based fabric, which has a proprietary finish and a thin coating of aluminium on the surface, makes the surface practically immune to scratches and gives the black/grey weave of the carbon fibre a distinctive, silvery colour.

Hallmark features of the Hublot Big Bang’s construction, like the crown with rubber insert, the six functional screws on the bezel and the two side lugs to protect the case, are all represented here.

Using the same carbon fibre and Texalium composite, the integrated strap looks very much like an integrated metal bracelet. Designed, manufactured and assembled in-house, each link is individually machined to achieve a perfect surface and the desired flexibility. Weighing just 26 grams, it is one of the lightest straps available today and is fitted with a deployant clasp.

Housed in this ultra-technological composite case, the openworked dial showcases the mechanical heart of the watch dial. Suspended on the dial at 6 o’clock, the tourbillon performs its rotations against an almost diaphanous background of sapphire bridges and an openworked baseplate, allowing light to flood the movement. The lattice structure of the baseplate echoes the interlaced pattern of the carbon fibre, and you can see the micro-rotor with the Hublot branding dial-side at noon. The six hour indices are suspended over the movement, and the hour and minute hands are treated with Super-LumiNova.

Powered by Hublot’s skeletonised HUB6035 manufacture calibre with a tourbillon regulation system and a micro-rotor automatic winding system, the 282-part movement beats at 3Hz and delivers a 72-hour power reserve.