Hublot adds another big name to their long list of collaborators with the Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono done in collaboration with FIFA for the 2014 World Cup. The name refers to the two retrograde hands which clock the seconds and minutes for each half on a specially designed scale with a window at the center of the dial showing which half is being timed. The main timekeeping is located in a smaller dial at 6 o’clock, so you can wear the watch off the field.
But football frenzy aside, let us deconstruct the charismatic chronograph. Available in two versions, an 18kt King Gold or a black ceramic version, with a carbon fiber bezel, the watch comes in “Big Bang Unico” case, which measures 45.5 mm. Its unique, UNICO caliber serves as the base for the HUB1260 movement made up of 385 components. The famous 6 H-shaped screws secure its bezel and the screw-down crown with over molded rubber is also decorated on the end with the famous “H” from the Hublot screw, and two push buttons.
The new HUB1260 in-house movement was built using the same dual-coupling column-wheel technology as the UNICO caliber, but with the difference of using two center-mounted retrograde hands for the chronograph mechanism. The movement features 385 parts and is the first bi-retrograde caliber from Hublot and is currently patent-pending.
The Hublot Big Bang Unico Bi-Retrograde Chrono is limited edition, with 200 numbered pieces in ceramic priced at $26,300 and 100 numbered pieces in King Gold priced at $42,400. For more info, head over to Hulbot’s website.
