Hublot Big Bang Unico 45 Black Ceramic & Magic Gold automatic 45 mm Full Set 2018

A brief history

Launched in 2005, the Big Bang collection marked a decisive turning point in Hublot’s history. Going against the grain of traditional watchmaking, the Maison introduced a new aesthetic and technical language founded on a simple yet radical principle: the Art of Fusion. The fusion of materials, shapes, cultures and expertise quickly made the Big Bang a contemporary icon, instantly recognisable through its structured case, exposed screws and resolutely industrial architecture.

But Hublot did not stop at redefining design. From the early 2010s onward, the brand pushed material innovation even further by developing exclusive materials in-house. It was in this context that Magic Gold was introduced in 2011, following several years of research and development. A true metallurgical feat, it is the world’s first scratch-resistant 18-carat gold, created by fusing ceramic powder with molten gold under extremely high pressure. The result is a patented alloy combining the nobility of gold with the extreme resistance of ceramic—a material that is virtually impossible to scratch in everyday use.

This innovation perfectly illustrates Hublot’s vision: reinventing the traditional materials of luxury watchmaking through a scientific and industrial approach, without ever sacrificing visual impact. Magic Gold is not a mere stylistic effect, but a concrete answer to one of the historical paradoxes of gold in watchmaking: its beauty—and its fragility.

At the same time, Hublot asserted its mechanical independence with the launch of the Unico calibre, its first chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured in-house. Introduced in 2010, this movement marked a major milestone for the brand, establishing Hublot as a true modern manufacture capable of mastering both materials and complex mechanical architectures.

The Big Bang Unico Ceramic / Magic Gold sits precisely at the intersection of these two revolutions. It embodies a Hublot that has reached full maturity: iconic design, exclusive materials, manufacture movement and a strong, assertive identity. A watch that does not seek to please everyone, but fully embraces its status as a contemporary, technical and disruptive timepiece—faithful to the Big Bang DNA for nearly twenty years.

The model

The Hublot Big Bang Unico 45 mm Ceramic / Magic Gold, reference 411.CM.1138.RX, represents the most accomplished expression of the Big Bang aesthetic in a version that is at once technical, luxurious and resolutely contemporary. With its 45 mm diameter, it fully embraces its bold character and commanding wrist presence, a historical signature of the collection.

The case features Hublot’s emblematic multi-layer construction. The central case is crafted from black ceramic, a lightweight, scratch-resistant and extremely durable material, creating a striking contrast with the 18-carat Magic Gold bezel. This unique gold, with its warm and subtly matte tone, retains the brilliance and nobility of gold while being completely resistant to everyday micro-scratches—an especially valuable asset on a watch of this scale. The famous six H-shaped titanium screws, a Hublot signature, secure the bezel and reinforce the watch’s industrial aesthetic.

The skeletonised dial showcases the architecture of the Unico calibre, offering a distinctly technical and three-dimensional display. The open-worked construction reveals the mainplate, bridges and functional chronograph components in a deliberately mechanical and contemporary approach. The chronograph counters are arranged in a balanced layout, while the central chronograph seconds hand ensures immediate legibility despite the visual complexity of the dial.

The applied indexes and generously proportioned hands are coated with luminescent material, guaranteeing excellent legibility day and night. The overall design retains the sporty DNA of the Big Bang while asserting genuine horological sophistication, far removed from a simple stylistic exercise.

The watch is fitted with a black rubber strap, supple and comfortable, perfectly integrated into the case. It is paired with a deployant clasp in ceramic and titanium, ensuring both security and aesthetic coherence. This strap choice enhances the watch’s versatility, making it equally at home in sporty contexts as in a more urban, contemporary environment.

With this Big Bang Unico Ceramic / Magic Gold, Hublot delivers a watch that perfectly synthesises its core pillars: exclusive materials, instantly recognisable design, and a visible, fully assumed manufacture movement. A timepiece of strong character, designed for those seeking a modern, technical and uncompromising watch.

The movement

At the heart of the watch beats the HUB1242 Unico calibre, an automatic manufacture chronograph that is often underestimated within the contemporary watchmaking landscape, despite objectively ranking among the finest modern automatic chronograph calibres currently in production.

Developed entirely in-house by Hublot, the Unico movement stands out for its architecture, conceived from the outset as an integrated chronograph rather than a module added to a base movement. It features a column wheel, visible on the dial side, as well as a flyback function allowing instant reset and restart of the chronograph— a complication typically reserved for far more exclusive timepieces.

Its rational layout, robustness and modern construction make it particularly reliable in daily use, while offering a comfortable power reserve of approximately 72 hours. Contrary to some preconceived notions, the Unico calibre is not merely an aesthetic statement: it is a technical, coherent and high-performance movement, designed for real, intensive use, in keeping with the spirit of the Big Bang it powers.

Visible from both the dial side and through the caseback, the HUB1242 calibre fully embraces its mechanical nature, in an assertive horological approach where function, legibility and durability take precedence over gratuitous decorative display.

The package

This Hublot Big Bang Unico 45 Magic Gold is offered as a Full Set, accompanied by its original presentation box and its warranty card dated 2018.

The watch underwent a complete service at Hublot in December 2025, ensuring perfect movement performance, reliable chronograph functions and full compliance with the manufacture’s technical and aesthetic standards. On this occasion, the watch was also fitted with a new rubber strap.

Prior to being offered for sale, the watch received an additional inspection in our workshops and is accompanied by a one-year Lepage 10h10 warranty, offering its future owner complete peace of mind when acquiring this technical and exclusive timepiece.

Bringing together a complete set, recent manufacture service and impeccable condition, this Big Bang Unico Magic Gold stands as a modern collector’s piece, ready to be worn and enjoyed without compromise.