With the new Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Cathedral Minute Repeater, Hublot brings to the market the first minute repeater timepiece housed in a full ceramic case. Unveiled in 2020, the Big Bang Integral Ceramic models feature case, bracelet, bezel and case back made entirely of ceramic, with an alternation of satin-brushed and polished finishes. Until now, it had never been possible to guarantee the water-resistance of the case because of the movable trigger piece which operates the minute repeater. Nor it had been possible to obtain a pure and crystal-clear sound within a 100% ceramic case.
Hublot accomplished this mission and is now presenting 18 authentic Grande Complication timepieces – 12 in black ceramic and 6 in white ceramic – merging a Tourbillon and a Minute Repeater with cathedral gongs.
The achievement is the result of an interdisciplinary approach demonstrating mastery in all the skills of Haute Horlogerie as well as of a unique experience of 20 years in mastering ceramic. Housed in a 43 mm x 14.15 mm case offering water resistance to 3 ATM (30 metres / 100 feet), the hand-wound MHUB801 calibre beats at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour). It provides 80 hours of power reserve or more than three days that is an exceptional result for a tourbillon, not by chance achieved by Hublot which holds the world record for a tourbillon power reserve (50 days).
The Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Cathedral Minute Repeater – either in black ceramic (ref. 458.CX.1170.CX.YOS) or white ceramic (ref. 458.HX.1170.HX.YOS)
In cosmology, the Big Bang marks the beginning of time; in the watchmaking universe, it is associated with Hublot’s flagship watch. Launched in 2005, the Big Bang exploded on the scene with its unusual combination of materials and bold design. Today, Hublot presents a watch it claims to be the world’s first full-ceramic minute repeater. It is true that ceramic has almost never been used to create minute repeaters, yet there have been a few examples in the past, such as the AP Royal Oak Offshore Grande Complication in white or black ceramic, which includes a minute repeater function but is worn on a rubber strap. Produced in limited editions of 18 pieces in white ceramic and 18 pieces in black and available exclusively in Japan, here’s the Hublot Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Cathedral Minute Repeater.