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The latest release from Hublot may seem like a playful iteration of their classic Big Bang Unico. But it’s not just a watch with polka dots, it’s yet another leap in innovation by the notorious watchmakers.
Hublot is a watchmaking house that is no stranger to the phrase “the world’s first”. Discovery is what the brand has always been about. For over a decade, the Swiss manufacturer has pioneered advancements in materials. Inventing scratch-resistant 18-carat gold wasn’t enough for the brand. Its latest achievement, however, might be its most ambitious yet: a multicoloured ceramic dubbed “Magic Ceramic”.
Coloured ceramics have always been a topic of hot pursuit for Hublot. The brand remains the only watchmaker capable of producing them entirely independently. And the development of this multi-coloured ceramic represents years of research, led by the in-house R&D and Materials & Metallurgy teams at Hublot. Magic Ceramic’s debut marks the first time multiple pigments have been fused into a single ceramic component.
But why hasn’t anyone done this before? The challenge lays in the science: each pigment reacts differently under high temperatures during the baking and moulding phases. That’s why pottery and ceramics artists usually just stick to glaze to add colour to their pieces. Achieving that level of uniformity demands not just precision, but an almost alchemical understanding to predict how colours would interact under thermal stress.
The result debuts in the Big Bang Unico Magic Ceramic, a 20-piece limited edition. Its bezel, crafted in dark grey ceramic, features vivid blue circles arranged in an organic pattern. The effect is not a product of layering but of controlled transformation, with pigments integrated seamlessly into the ceramic’s structure. This is seen in the almost irreverent layout of the circles by Hublot. Some are designed to drape over the edge of the bezel, showing how it’s truly incorporated into the material and not just stickered on. The process, currently under patent, bypasses earlier industry attempts at multi-coloured ceramics, which struggled with consistency.
Hublot’s UNICO automatic flyback chronograph movement powers the watch, developed and manufactured in-house. Finished in a grey tone mirroring the ceramic’s base colour, it underscores the harmony between technical and aesthetic innovation. The design is completed by a black rubber strap (something that might have been considered scandalous in much earlier horlogerie trends), balancing industrial rigour with artistic experimentation.
Mathias Buttet, the Director of R&D at Hublot, reflects on the project: “I feel an immense pride in seeing our team bring to life a material that perfectly embodies Hublot’s soul: a subtle blend of science, alchemy, and playful boldness. After more than four years of research, we have mastered the art of combining vivid, patented colours – a true technical feat. Thanks to the creativity and talent of our young engineers taking the lead, Hublot’s scientific approach and innovating spirit will continue to astonish.”
The Big Bang Unico Magic Ceramic signals Hublot’s intent to continue its exploration of uncharted territories. For Hublot, technical constraints become catalysts for artistry. For a brand accustomed to firsts, this may be its most vivid statement to date.
