Home » Baselworld - World Watch and Jewellery Show » Baselworld 2012 – $5 Million Hublot Big Bang Watch
A Swiss manufacturer Hublot has created a new timepiece in the Big Bang Tourbillon series worth $5 million. The most expensive wristwatch presented at the Baselworld 2012 watch fair is encrusted with no less than 1,282 diamonds weighing more than 100 karats, including 6 emerald-cut diamonds set on the bracelet weighing over 3 karats each. The most precious watch ever created by Hublot has been sold to The Hour Glass Singapore.
Each stone was individually selected to insure the consistency of quality and color scheme. A “master cutter” from New York with over 40 years of experience behind his back was then responsible for single-handedly cutting the largest GIA-certified stones to ensure they all had the same recognizable “signature”. Not just the diligently accurate labor was required to set the diamonds, but also the time to gather all the necessary stones from all over the world and re-size them where needed. It was a lengthy process to complete this masterpiece which took 14 months of work for all the different disciplines combined, including 7 months of working for 12 cutters, and the same period of time for 5 setters, with all the major specialists working on the piece full-time.
The watch company Hublot, which is owned by French luxury group LVMH, has already attracted public attention with expensive wristwatches. First, with the model worth million dollars, and then last year, also at the Baselworld watch event, with the Big Bang Tourbillon which is worth $ 2.8 million. Like some of the previous editions, this year’s model features a white gold casing as well.
This stunning timekeeper is housed in a round case with the diameter of 44 mm. Its case is domed with sapphire crystals with interior and exterior anti-reflective coating. The case incorporates a screw-in crown in 18-karat white gold, decorated with 12 baguette diamonds totally weighing 0.67 karats, and a rose-cut diamond of 1.06 karats. The case back is also made from white gold and boasts an engraved brand’s seal.
Further, its charming dial is set with 179 baguette diamonds totaling 8.75 karats. The dial comprises faceted and diamond-polished rhodium-plated skeletonized hour and minute hands and a thin seconds hand.
This exceptional piece of jewelry is powered by the Caliber HUB 1100 mechanical movement. The self-winding, built on 25 jewels, preserves approximately 42 hours of power reserve when fully wound and runs at 21,600 beats per hour.
This exquisite timepiece comes with an 18-karats white gold bracelet set with 782 baguette diamonds, totaling 45 karats, as well as with 6 square emerald cut diamonds, each weighing over 3 karats.
Considering the fact that this ravishing Hublot timepiece has been sold to The Hour Glass Singapore, those who are in or passing by Singapore will be able to see it because it will be showcased first in the Hublot boutique in Marina Bay Sands, and then in the Hublot corners at The Hour Glass boutiques.
