Ultra-resistant, a third lighter than aluminium and 2.6 times lighter than titanium, magnesium has until now never been used in the manufacture of watch cases. And for good reason: while it offers an exceptional density/hardness ratio, magnesium is excessively difficult to machine. Its rigidity requires unprecedented tolerances, to which Swiss watchmaking experts have been unable to adhere. It was only therefore by joining forces with an Italian company specialising in the production of magnesium components that Hublot was able to develop the case for its new ‘Mag Bang’, thus taking watchmaking into a new dimension.

A vital element to health, widely used in medicine and pharmacy, magnesium can be found virtually all over the planet. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element of the Earth’s crust and is used in the cutting-edge sectors of the aeronautics, automotive, chemistry and pharmaceutical industries. Inflammable when exposed to air, magnesium powder revolutionised photography when the first flash guns appeared. One whole century later, magnesium is about to turn the watchmaking world on its head. Its exceptional resistance and light weight make it an ideal component for the watchmaking industry. Jean-Claude Biver, CEO of Hublot, is convinced: ‘The future of high-end technical watchmaking lies in weight reduction. The whole of the high-tech industry’s research is dominated by the quest to lose a few extra grammes and increase reliability. Weight is the enemy of high-technology, so with the Mag Bang, Hublot is heading precisely in this direction. This is the dawning of a new age for watchmaking.’

Inside the ‘Mag Bang’ magnesium case is a second world first: a mechanical chronograph movement with titanium bridges, bottom-plate and screws. In this sense, the HUB44 chronograph movement exclusive to Hublot, developed in conjunction with the La Joux-Perret workshop, has undergone a complete reworking to replace the ordinary nickel silver components with titanium. Now the movement weighs only 22g on the scales compared to its predecessor’s 45, and a total of 72 grammes for the finished watch!

The new high-tech ‘Mag Bang’ chronograph is distinguishable by its imposing 44.5 mm magnesium case with extra-large bezel in magnesium or ceramic.

Beneath the anti-reflection, double-faced sapphire crystal, the texalium dial accentuates the innovative nature of the timepiece. An interesting side profile is achieved with a composit fibre insert, which gives the impression that the Hublot black natural 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, such as the rectangular crown and push-piece heads containing natural black rubber inserts. In the same vein, the back of the watch case is blanked from titanium.

Crafted from magnesium, titanium, ceramic, synthetic fibre, texalium and rubber, the Hublot ‘Mag Bang’ chronograph raises new high-tech possibilities for high-end watchmaking. This exceptional timepiece is part of a limited edition of 250 individually numbered pieces.

A high-tech, feather-light, innovative timepiece, the Hublot ‘Mag Bang’ chronograph rests on the brand’s four mainstays: namely Swiss Tradition, the Visionary art of Watchmaking, the Fusion of Materials and Innovative Design.

Case	:	“Big Bang” diameter 44.5 mm. in magnesium, total weight 72 grammes!
Bezel	:	Magnesium with 6 H-shaped titanium screws, sunken, polished and blocked
Crystal	:	Sapphire crystal with anti-reflection treatment, double face
Dial	:	Titanium with vertical satin-finish applique indices
Hands	:	Faceted rhodium-plated with white luminescent feature
Lug discs	:	Black composite resin
Side inserts	:	Black composite resin
Back	:	Magnesium with sapphire crystal
Movement	:	Mechanical chronograph with automatic winding Hublot calibre HUB44 developed in conjunction with La Joux-Perret
No. of components	:	255
Bottom plate	:	Titanium
Bridges	:	Titanium
Barrel	:	With reinforced spring
Screws	:	Black PVD
Escapement	:	Glucydur balance spring
Calendar	:	Trapezoid aperture at 4.30
Power reserve	:	42 hours
Oscillating weight	:	Titanium with dimpled surface treated in black PVD
Crown	:	Steel with natural black rubber insert
Push-pieces	:	Rectangular steel with natural black rubber insert
Water-resistance	:	100 m or 10 ATM
Strap	:	New adjustable in natural rubber with engraved Hublot logo
Clasp	:	New deployant clasp in magnesium
Limited Edition	:	250 individually numbered pieces
Weight	:	Total weight of the watch only 72 grams