Prince sang about it, and the colour purple was even the title of an epic cinematic success. This special colour, dating back over 4,000 years as a symbol of wealth and power, is said to have been discovered by Hercules when his dog bit a sea snail, a murex, and was smeared in this previously unseen hue. A nymph then demanded a gown of the same beautiful colour. In antiquity, purple dye was a luxury reserved for the elite. The colour purple is, in fact, worth gold.
As the author Saint-Exupéry pointed out, “What matters is not to arrive, but to go towards.” At Hublot, innovation is not a destination, but a journey, with the production team perpetually pushing the boundaries of what is feasible. The watchmaker’s chromatic palette continues to grow. Translucent no longer means colourless. In 2021, orange revolutionized sapphire and blew conventions out of the water with a bold case for the tourbillon calibre. This year, Hublot’s disruptive vision brings a new colour to life in the world of watchmaking with the Big Bang Tourbillon Automatic Purple Sapphire limited series of just 50 pieces.
The symbolic purple sapphire case measuring 45 mm in diameter, with a bezel made in the same material, incorporates an automatic movement with a 3-day power reserve. Because it does not have a dial, the calibre adds to the watch’s avant-garde aesthetics. The micro-rotor visible at 12 o’clock echoes in beautiful symmetry the tourbillon positioned at 6 o’clock. This aerial design once again demonstrates Hublot’s expertise in the art of fusion. Interchangeable rubber straps fitted with the patented One Click quick-release system and a folding clasp in titanium guarantee to bestow excellence and distinction to any wrist.
