The Hublot Big Bang ‘All Black’ is in keeping with the same visionary spirit, reaching even further beyond the use of new materials with a new extreme design. With its assertive character and powerful aesthetics, the new Big Bang ‘All Black’ is about to set the watchmaking world ablaze with its invisible take on time-telling. A genuine ‘must have’ produced in a Limited Edition of individually numbered pieces.

The Hublot Big Bang ‘All Black’ is distinguishable by its impressively proportioned 44.5 mm case, crafted entirely in black ceramic with alternating brushed and polished finishes. The extra-large matt black ceramic bezel carries 6 ‘H’-shaped titanium screws, sunken, polished and blocked. Beneath the sapphire crystal, the only one without anti-reflection treatment in order to enhance the Black effect of the ‘All Black’ design, the matt black dial accentuates the exceptional nature of this timepiece with its black nickel applique numerals and indices, with hands and date feature also in black. An interesting side profile is achieved with a black composite resin insert, which gives the impression that the Hublot natural black rubber bracelet passes directly through the body of the chronograph, and with the multi-layered construction of its case, which creates an intricate interplay of materials. In the same vein, the back of the watch case is blanked from titanium. Now available in an adjustable version, the smooth rubber strap, this time sporting the Hublot logo in relief, comes once again complete with the new Hublot deployant clasp, enabling instant adjustment to different wrist sizes, without any loss of comfort.

On a technical note, the Big Bang ‘All Black’ houses the new HUB44 mechanical chronograph movement with automatic winding mechanism, an exclusive Hublot movement developed in conjunction with the La Joux-Perret workshop.

Since it first burst onto the scene in Spring 2005, the Hublot Big Bang chronograph has gradually shattered the sometimes discreet aesthetics of the chronograph universe by imposing a futuristic vision of the timepiece. Unanimously acclaimed for its technical and design qualities, the Hublot Big Bang chronograph won the prize for ‘Best Design 2005’ at the Grand Prix of Geneva in November, ‘Best Oversize Watch’ in the Middle East at the Watch of the Year Award, and ‘Best Professional Sports Watch’ at the Watch of the Year Award 2005 in Japan. Such instant international recognition is proof of the spot-on futuristic vision of the brand, whose renaissance is symbolised by the Big Bang chronograph.

Case	:	“Big Bang” diameter 44.5 mm. in polished and brushed black ceramic
Bezel	:	Matt black ceramic with 6 H-shaped titanium screws, sunken, polished and blocked
Crystal	:	Sapphire crystal with anti-reflection treatment
Dial	:	Matt black with black nickel applique numerals and indices
Hand	:	Faceted in black nickel, black chronograph hand
Logo	:	Glossy black
Hour circle	:	Glossy black
Lug disc	:	Black composite resin
Side inserts	:	Black composite resin
Back	:	Titanium with sapphire crystal
Movement	:	Mechanical chronograph with automatic winding
Hublot calibre	:	HUB44 developed in conjunction with La Joux-Perret
No. of components	:	252
Bottom plate	:	Sanded rhodium-plated
Bridges	:	Satin-finish chamfered polished
Barrel	:	With reinforced spring
Screws	:	Black PVD
Escapement	:	Glucydur balance spring
Power reserve	:	42 hours
Calendar	:	Trapezoid aperture at 4.30, anthracite back, glossy black numeral
Oscillating weight	:	Tungsten carbide with dimpled surface treated in black PVD
Crown	:	With natural black rubber insert
Push-pieces	:	Rectangular with natural black rubber insert
Water-resistance	:	100 m or 10 ATM
Strap	:	Adjustable natural smooth black rubber with engraved Hublot logo
Clasp	:	New deployant clasp in black PVD coated steel
Limited Edition	:	250 individually numbered pieces.

The eras will be divided into “pre-Raptor” and “post-Raptor”. The presentation of the brand-new “Raptor” display concept by the Hublot watch company in partnership with Dietlin Artisans Métalliers opens up new possibilities for displaying luxury goods.

Constraints based solely on security have hitherto imposed the use of glass for display purposes. No matter how well developed such glass was, it always compromised the visibility of the object displayed. Such problems are now confined to history, since the new “Raptor” display case not only dispenses with glass – and offers perfect visibility – but also incorporates security, since the object on display disappears into the display case whenever movement is detected nearby. It then reappears once the distance between the watch and the movement is judged sufficient and secure.

The new “Raptor” display case offers three levels of security: a whole host of infra-red sensors are located around the watch, or any other prestigious object on display; the watch is secured to the plinth by a grip attached to the bracelet; and finally, any change in the mass on the case of +/- 5 grams triggers an audible alarm as well the immediate retraction and disappearance of the plinth at a speed of 2 metres per second. Its reaction time of 1/10^th of a second easily outstrips the speed of a human hand. Given the complexity and the fragility of watches and other objects displayed, the designers have developed an ingenious system of acceleration and deceleration for the retractable mechanism.

The ease of use of the new “Raptor” display case is another big argument in its favour. Developments in computer technology and robotics that have resulted from this project have made it possible to programme the case as required (security level, retraction and extraction times of the mechanism – overnight, for example, connection to the central alarm of a store, control via Internet etc.).

In order to develop the electronics and robotics for this brand-new concept, Hublot and Dietlin Artisans Métalliers called upon the services of Fiveco and Bluebotics SA, two start-up companies located in the Science Park of the EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) whose innovative projects are supported by the Service de l’Economie, du Logement et du Tourisme (SELT) de l’Etat de Vaud (Service for Economy, Accommodation and Tourism in the Canton of Vaud). Philippe Sordet, director of the SELT, said "I am fascinated by this innovative concept," and highlighted the "promising and tangible results of the development work carried out by the two companies".

Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot and one of the first partners and investors in the "Raptor" concept, pointed out that "this new type of display is a giant leap for those working in product display and will revolutionise the worlds of luxury goods and watchmaking". Hublot will be presenting this innovative new concept to its representatives from all over the world at next week’s opening of the BaselWorld watch fair. In return for financing the project, Hublot has an exclusive licence to use "Raptor" display cases for 24 months.

The man behind the concept, Xavier Dietlin, recalled that "before deciding on the ‘Raptor’ principle, we studied fanciful ideas such as protecting the watch with an electric current or using a viewing window so small that it would be impossible to gain access to the product," and that "the main difficulty in the project was combining a perfect view of the product without compromising security. Having overcome this problem, ‘Raptor’ opens up hitherto unimaginable possibilities for exhibition areas, stores and museums by giving them an increased level of security whilst at the same time offering the visitor an exceptional view".

Given its intrinsic qualities and the technology used, the new "Raptor" display concept undoubtedly marks the dawn of a new era in displays and exhibitions.