Hublot Big Bang Ferrari King Gold Carbon Replica Watch

Stopping power

Angus Davies reviews the limited edition Hublot Big Bang Ferrari King Gold Carbon Chronograph Replica Watch, featuring the brand’s HUB 1241 Unico movement and the car marque’s famous prancing horse on its dial.By pressing the brake pedal of a race car, the forces experienced during deceleration are of far greater magnitude than those experienced with propulsion. Indeed, the capacity to shed speed in a modern day race car is colossal.

The brake discs used on a Formula 1 car are made of carbon fibre composite, a material which visually shares much in common with the bezel adorning the Hublot Big Bang Ferrari King Gold Carbon. However, the mottled finish of this bezel is a result of 18k red gold occlusions, yielding an eye-catching appearance which invites closer examination.

Whilst a race car can accelerate with amazing alacrity, devouring the track in its midst with a rabid appetite, it is the ability to retard speed which is even more impressive.

The dial

A sapphire dial allows sight of various movement components. The design of the dial plays with differing depths and invites the wearer to absorb the numerous levels at play. The layout is perhaps not the cleanest design to leave the Hublot atelier, but the dial information is grouped into neat portions, proving relatively easy to digest.

Where the watch replica particularly excels is in revealing the column wheel adjacent 6 o’clock, the date disc circumnavigating the dial and the various wheels collaborating to impart the time. Moreover, the choice of colours such as brown, gold and black grants a luxurious temperament to the appearance of the dial. With the addition of the Ferrari prancing horse logo, located at 9 o’clock, this Hublot Big Bang Ferrari watch replica exudes a sumptuous feel from each facet of its form.

The case

The 45mm ‘microblasted 18K King Gold’ case features a slightly matt surface which mitigates the sense of scale, providing a slightly muted and welcome contradistinction to the complex dial design.

In keeping with Hublot’s design philosophy of combining several materials, the ‘bezel lugs’, which protrude from the side of the case, are formed of black composite resin whilst the pushpieces are polished black PVD titanium, incorporating black rubber inserts. Indeed, wherever one chooses to look, there are numerous materials employed. It is the myriad of materials used which, no doubt, makes this watch replica complex to create. Furthermore, by using many different materials there is an obvious danger that the appearance could appear disjointed but, in my opinion, Hublot has achieved a welcome sense of homogeneity.

The movement

The Hublot Big Bang Ferrari King Gold Carbon is equipped with the HUB 1241 Unico movement, ‘developed and manufactured in-house by Hublot’. I like this movement for so many reasons, including the smooth operation of the pushpieces, the sight of the column-wheel via the dial and the flyback feature.

There is sense of modernity with the appearance of the HUB 1241 Unico movement, especially with the widespread use of black PVD tones for the mainplate, bridges and oscillating mass. Furthermore, the oscillating mass resembles the wheel rim of a contemporary Ferrari road car, imbuing the watch replica with yet another reference to the legendary Italian marque.

Closing remarks

I would liken the scenario to the appearance of some vintage and modern-day Ferrari cars. Evidently, some are prettier than others but they all share that same high quotient of passion and emotion which causes your head to turn and look.

Where this watch replica stands out is that is it has ‘stopping power’, exhibiting a unique and distinctive appearance which makes you pause and appraise its form. It won’t be overlooked. It craves your attention from every angle and, by virtue of being limited to only 500 pieces, it will be a rare sight, enjoyed by a fortunate few.

Technical specification

• Model: Hublot Big Bang Ferrari King Gold Carbon

• Reference: 401.OJ.0123.VR

• Case: 18K King Gold; diameter 45mm; sapphire crystal to front and caseback.

• Functions: Hours, minutes; date; flyback chronograph.

• Movement: HUB 1241 Unico movement; self-winding movement; frequency 28,800 vph (4Hz); 38 jewels; power reserve 72 hours

• Strap: Black rubber with brown Schedoni leather strap with brown stitching presented with a 18K King Gold deployant

• Limited Edition: 500 pieces

The design of the mens Hublot Replica Big Bang Ferrari King Gold Carbon is probably not my favourite from the watch replica company based in Nyon but it comes close.